A day without P&P3 news is like a day without sunshine
The Editrix’s v. exciting birthday weekend c’est fini, and we have a bit of a backlog of news about the only subject that seems to interest anyone around here anymore. Not that we’re bitter or anything. A trifle weary of the hype, perhaps; but nose to the grindstone and all that.
Alert Janeites Kerstin and Sonja of Jane Austen Freunde were fortunate enough to obtain passes to an advance screening of P&P3 in Hamburg. Their reviews have now been translated into English. From Sonja’s review:
It was also clear that the film would simplify and abridge, not least because of the movie theatre format. But the abridgements have been made with great care. Naturally, some things have also been made simpler to make the film more suitable for Hollywood, but this has also been done with a sense of proportion.
And Kerstin said:
The audience also definitely liked the film. There were applause during and after the film and I think that this version will again produce some more Jane Austen fans!
That’s the kind of thing we like to hear!
Alert Janeite Julia sent a tip that Jeffrey Wells’ column from hollywood-elsewhere.com talks about the building Oscar buzz, including P&P3.
Word is Just Starting on Pride & Prejudice, and While It May Not Be The Second Coming…: “I think when it comes to your Oscar forecastings you can’t ignore this one,” a New York journo told me this morning. “Focus has pushed it back to November so it will get more attention, and it deserves a look. It’s quite good with has a top-notch cast. I think Matthew Macfadyen is gonna get lots of attention as Mr. Darcy, and Brenda Blethyn looks like Supporting Actress material as Mrs. Bennet.”
For those readers who think November cannot arrive soon enough, Alert Janeite Cindy sent a link to a site where one can purchase a copy of the script for the low-low price of $14.88. Be sure to read the FAQ, and be aware that this is not a shooting copy but a reproduction, and also remember that scripts change during filming and films change in editing, but it could be a fun collectible item.
Joanna Briscoe writes about the film in Times, and has clearly read the production notes and is onboard with the “gritty reality” thing. Curiously, she also writes:
But Austen was a novelist for whom the Napoleonic wars were merely glimpsed through the drawing- room window
Yes, because we are certain that Jane Austen never spoke to two of her brothers, who were naval officers in the Napoleonic Wars. Hard to believe she was able to write so convincingly about the Napoleonic-era navy in Mansfield Park and Persuasion. Sheesh.
(Use bugmenot.com if you need a password to read the article.)
And finally, proving that the crack AustenBlog staff leaves no stone unturned in our quest to bring our readers all the news on P&P3 that’s fit to blog, we have an article from the increasingly hilarious contactmusic.com that tells of a problem encountered by Brenda Blethyn during filming. We hope that morsel finishes off your daily meal of P&P3 news with a flourish; or a buzz, as it were.
August 1st, 2005 at 3:53 am
Thank you, Sonja + Kerstin. I hope I’ll be enjoying myself like y’all did … tho’ I might have to endure another 7 months of waiting — in misery … *sob*
August 1st, 2005 at 12:36 pm
Thank you for the sunshine, Mags. They are all pretty interesting.
August 1st, 2005 at 2:24 pm
You can also purchase the P&P script at http://www.scriptcity.net
I might just have to. November is far too long to wait!
August 2nd, 2005 at 1:15 pm
First of all, Happy (belated) Birthday, Mags!!!
I understand you are a bit weary of the subject, and I’m afraid we have not reached the highest point.
Once again, thanks to Kerstin and Sonja, and also to Mia Store for the translation of your reviews.
Once again, more conffirmation that there are Oscar expectations and would not be surprised if in the acting line the name of Brenda Blethyn comes ahead (she has been nominated before as main actress IRRC, so maybe a secondary role might give her the award as it has happened in other cases before, i.e. Judy Dench ). Kertin, Sonja, what do you think of her performance (I mean BB’s)?
Interesting article of the Times, did anyone else noticed that the Production Notes seemed to have been used for it?
August 2nd, 2005 at 4:22 pm
The article in The Times contained many quotes not found in the Production Notes. I suspect they had access to fuller versions of the interviews only briefly quoted in the notes. Or maybe they even conducted those interviews.
August 2nd, 2005 at 4:44 pm
She is really great. I think I like her alitle bit more than Alison Steadman because sometimes she is too silly.
Another thing: I ever thougt dame Dench would act babara leigh-Hunt down. It always seemed to me, that JA had known her and wrote Lady Catherine for her. But now I must confess it isn’t so. Actually I prefer Barbara Leigh-Hunt a little bit. It’s my opinion and may be other Janeites will see it the other way.
August 2nd, 2005 at 6:34 pm
All this talk about possible Oscar nominations is very interesting.. Kerstin or Sonja, do you think there were any other performances that could garner an Oscar (perhaps by MM or KK)??
August 2nd, 2005 at 7:58 pm
My be Donald Sutherland - he surprised me very much. Or KK. I don’t believe MM, he has not that name to win an oscar.
August 3rd, 2005 at 7:08 am
I think, Keira Knightley might have chances for an oscar nomination, but definitely not Matthew MacFadyen. But who knows?
Sometimes the nominations for supporting actors are very surprising. Brenda Blethyn might get one. I think she’s good, not so hysterical and shrill as Alison Steadman. She only has one nervous breakdown!
August 7th, 2005 at 3:57 am
The first site you mention say there is an error and the script is not available until November.
Script City do have a copy of the script, however, I cannot say how close it is to what was shot a) because it is the script at Feb 04 and b) because I haven’t read it yet. I am not sure if I will bother buying it until the film is actually out and I can use it for teaching purposes.
Oh, and of course, I have only seen the trailers.
Alison
August 14th, 2005 at 5:49 am
I run “the first site” that was selling the P&P script. (I was wondering where several orders came from all at once!)
I wanted to apologize for getting your hopes up. Yes, we do have the script, but no, we can’t sell it until the movie comes out. BTW, that “other site” shouldn’t sell it now, either.
So, return to me in November, darlings, or September in the UK. I and my screenplay will be waiting… by candlelight…