A cub reporter’s take on P&P3
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE finally came to my happy little suburb, so my husband, myself and another couple left the children at home and treated ourselves to an afternoon at the movies. I wanted to share my, uh, first impressions.
Right off, I’ll admit to two audible gasps during the movie. Once, when Mr. Darcy addressed Caroline Bingley by her Christian name, and second, when Caroline Bingley wore that spaghetti-strapped monstrosity to the ball at Netherfield. Shocking.
There were also two times when I had to restrain myself from standing and announcing missing dialogue to the audience. Please allow me to do so now.
“You are perfectly right. You have employed your time much better. No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you, can think any thing wanting. We neither of us perform to strangers.”
and,
“These are heavy misfortunes. But the wife of Mr. Darcy must have such extraordinary sources of happiness necessarily attached to her situation, that she could, upon the whole, have no cause to repine.”
Thank you very much for listening. I feel so much better.
Now, onward. Mags has already covered the misrepresentation of the Bennets’ financial status. Especially egregious was the whole front yard as barn yard effect. And yes, “Oh for pete’s sake, use a napkin!” passed through my mind each time the Bennet family sat down to a meal.
There were a few times during the movie that my heart was touched, quite unexpectedly. When Mr. Collins, brilliantly played by Tom Hollander, came to ask Lizzy to marry him, I was moved by his stammering insecurity. And when Wickham, brilliantly played by Rupert Friend, charmed Lizzy in that Meryton shop, I was livid and disgusted by his cunning artifice.
The cinematography was gorgeous. The long, sustained shots were delightful. The large audience laughed in all the right places (and in a few of the wrong places, but never mind that.)
I surprised myself and liked Keira Knightley as Elizabeth. I actually found her charming, and believed she did possess the sweetness of manner that was so much a part of Austen’s delightful creature.
And yes, I admit it. I loved the final scene. Loved it. Why are you looking at me like that? Why are you laughing? Didn’t your mother ever tell you it’s impolite to point?
But, but, but. I was so very disappointed in the first proposal scene. It felt rushed, and either the director or the screenplay writer or Knightley herself completely failed to communicate the shock that Elizabeth felt upon being proposed to by Darcy. And that very pivotal moment, when Elizabeth accused Darcy of ungentleman-like behavior, was completely botched.
And while I was happy to see Elizabeth properly humbled by her thorough misjudgment of Darcy and Wickham, why precisely did she fall in love with the man? I asked the couple with whom we went, neither of whom had read the book, why they thought Elizabeth loved Darcy. “His money?” one offered. Neither could offer a plausible explanation, which was not surprising considering the film offered no explanation I could discern.
Of course, MacFadyen as Darcy was delicious: snobbish and vulnerable and funny and proud and humbled. I enjoyed seeing a different interpretation of the Master of Pemberley.
There were lovely moments, really lovely moments. But more than anything I so wished they would have shown the heart of the love between Elizabeth and Darcy. Had they done that the film would have been well on its way to being an excellent adaptation. As it stands though, it’s worth seeing if for no other reason than those glimpses you get of Austen’s brilliance.
(There was, actually, one more time during the movie that my heart was quite touched. It was the very beginning, when the words PRIDE AND PREJUDICE appeared on the screen. “You see, Miss Austen,” I wanted to say, “You see how we all still love Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet and Charles Bingley and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. And how we all still even love Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine. And how we all still love you, all these years later. And how we always will.”)
November 26th, 2005 at 10:16 pm
I was touched too at the opening, when it showed the words “Pride and Prejudice” I got such a thrill and such a sense of pride for Miss Austen!
November 26th, 2005 at 11:03 pm
Thank you for your poignant review of the latest Pride and Prejudice. I agreed with you wholeheartedly except I found Keira Knightly too much like Winona Rider playing Jo in Little Women. Keira is beautiful, but was hoping she would be more elegant. I was shocked, shocked to see Bingley enter Jane’s bedroom to check on her as she was recovering from her illness.
November 26th, 2005 at 11:09 pm
How could I forget that moment! Yes, I too was dumbfounded when Charles walked into where Jane was in bed. Don’t think it rated a gasp though, just a gape.
November 27th, 2005 at 12:12 am
As one of Jane Austen’s biggest fan, I am ashamed to say that I haven’t found the time to see the movie. But, very touch by your review, I almost cryed after you discribe some parts of the movie you thought was touching. Now I really have to make time to see it. Thanks for taking the time reviewing about the movie and sharing it with us. God Bless.
November 27th, 2005 at 1:12 am
(There was, actually, one more time during the movie that my heart was quite touched. It was the very beginning, when the words PRIDE AND PREJUDICE appeared on the screen. “You see, Miss Austen,” I wanted to say, “You see how we all still love Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet and Charles Bingley and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. And how we all still even love Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine. And how we all still love you, all these years later. And how we always will.”)
*bows*
We neither of us perform to strangers
YES! YES! And am I crazy or were “Every savage can dance” and “Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth” also skipped?
I feel a little cheated because MM had so many interesting things to say about Darcy and it was like he had no room or time to get them across.
As for the finger-licking goodness: to be totally history-geeky about it, they didn’t have napkins per se in those days, they dipped into finger bowls and then wiped their fingers on the tablecloths, using it as a napkin if you will, which is why they changed tablecloths between courses. They could have done that and been historically correct, yet appeared vulgar to modern audiences. If only they would consult me, but noooooo.
(And yes, I was sitting in the movie thinking this. I am clearly a hopeless case.)
November 27th, 2005 at 5:43 am
I had the same feeling when the words ‘Pride and Prejudice’ appeared on the screen! Also when the words ‘Based on the novel by Jane Austen’ appeared.
November 27th, 2005 at 2:49 pm
I thought I would be disappointed, but I LOOOVED it. I couldn’t help it. Even the things they left out or changed were made up for in one way or another. At first I was disappointed that Darcy didn’t ask Lizzy’s Uncle to go fishing when he runs into them at Pemberley, but it was FINE with me that he went all the way to that loud/grungy inn where they were staying to ask him then.
November 27th, 2005 at 4:01 pm
It’s me again (or *it is I*?) from the unfortunate, backwards Poland, which will not see the P&P3 until January 13th *can we swear on this blog*
Went to Berlin in October but couldn’t find the original version (only German dubbed)*inser swear word of choice*
Been reading all there is about it on the web. Atempted to download *gasp* the movie from the internet (unsucesfuly, may I add)which, nota bene, is against my religion.:-)
I hope to God (*God’s Name in vain*! clearly going to hell) this movie will be worth the agony it causes. Very confused by the reviews, by the way…. Is it a good movie or isn’t it?
November 27th, 2005 at 4:19 pm
“YES! YES! And am I crazy or were “Every savage can dance” and “Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth” also skipped?”
They were!! And the ‘fine eyes’ lines. I LOVE the’ every savage can dance’ line in P&P2.
I also felt a sense of pride when the title first appeared on screen-partly because there were less than 10 seats NOT filled in the theatre-and that P&P rules in general.
November 27th, 2005 at 4:20 pm
I would say it’s a good movie, but not the best adaptation of P&P ever… This must be very confusing, but it’s true (in my opinion). When you don’t know anything about P&P and/or Jane Austen it’s a very good movie, I suppose. Otherwise, it might be disappointing.
November 27th, 2005 at 5:04 pm
Joanna, the three people with whom I went all genuinely enjoyed it. My husband laughed out loud several times.
It’s not as good as Sense and Sensibility, but so so so much better than Mansfield Park.
November 27th, 2005 at 6:06 pm
I have now been inspired to share the other parts that I loved (some of which you have already stated) but I shall do it in a brief manner.
Elizabeth on the swing and in the Collins house [staring into the mirror as the day formed into night] was an excellent way of portraying the internal changes Elizabeth was conceiving each time (on account of her judgment, or misjudgement rather). As well as in Pemberley when she was looking at the marble - I almost cried. My heart ached and twisted just as hers was clearly doing.
And yes, the opening vision of the English field at sunset with Pride & Prejudice noble on the screen - My thoughts during were that this movie would effect me. And it has.
November 27th, 2005 at 6:07 pm
P.S. I also thought the music was used in a very empowering and moving way. The crescendos and climaxes all seems to be a song of the heart- Darcy’s and Lizzie’s - taking mine along with it.
November 27th, 2005 at 6:59 pm
I do enjoyed the movie although it didn’t come near the BBC/A&E version. I enjoyed Keira Knightley but I wasn’t sure why they portrayed Elizabeth as such a hoyden. And I had a problem with Lady Catherine arriving at the Bennets in the middle of the night. Thought MM was darling, and the proposal scene, although I’m not sure why it was done during a rain storm, fairly throbbed with repressed sexuality. Wickham unfortunately got the short end of the stick in this adaptation. And I hated the Bennet’s house. Why oh why would Mr. Collins be happy to inherit Longbourn considering how it looked?
November 28th, 2005 at 12:36 am
Just came in from seeing P&P on the big screen here in Seattle. I love it. This is after watching the BBC version with adorable Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle AND just re-reading the book for the 5th time; I thought I was bound to be dissapointed. Instead I was charmed, moved, and intrigued. The barnyard animals were new but were in keeping with this earthy, robust, real version. Perhaps The Bennets were weathier than this but I thought the Gentry Farmer family effect was genuine to the period. It does make the 1937 Laurence Olivier/Greer Garson version seem stiff and glossy, even though I love that version, as well as the BBC version; each has their charming way of telling the best love story ever told by The One and Only Jane.
I also cringed at some of the liberties with norms of the time, like Miss Bingly’s bare shoulders and Darcy walking in unannounced on Lizzie with his letter. And what was with Lady Catherine coming when they were in bed? That never would have happened. But I like Keira as a tomboyish Lizzie, with those huge dark expressive eyes and flat chest, sort of puzzled at herself and where she finds life taking her, and I adored Matthew MacFadyen as Darcy, brooding, suffering, dark, sensitive, and so compelling and wrenching when he finally confesses he loves her, he is so broken-open and heartfelt. Great feeling blue eyes, against the green and lush in the rain. So sexy! Though I am so glad he did not actually kiss her, I would have been shocked and thrown up my hands and hated Hollywood. Interesting, placing that scene outside when they are soaking wet–revealing their true selves? Unfortunately their dialogue was rushed, and the scene was choppy and missed the back and forth flow of their revelatory argument: how could you ever improve on Austen’s dialogue in this particular scene? It is the turning point of the story, and the best scene for what it shows of their charactures. They finally let it rip and go toe to toe, and we can all see that by matching wits and indignation they are perfect for eachother.
Other things I loved:
Spacey, distracted Donald Sutherland as Mr. Bennet, the best Mr. Bennet ever! The way he cries when he sees Lizzie is really in love (I cried with him), his droll humor, his pigs and plants! I also liked it that it shows more affection between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet than normally, a nice balance, they could not have been all irritation.
The scene where Darcy walks toward her through the misty field the morning they finally come together, his stride is so determined and brave and graceful it just melted my heart. The music is perfect; so is the part where instead of kissing her he places his forhead on hers, as they rest in finally letting down their guard and finding eachother. One just wants to cuddle them both.
I liked that she does not converse with Wickham in the end; he gets slight treatment in this version but seems more of a cold blooded Wickham, capable of ruining a woman.
I loved this Mr Collins! Tom Hollander plays him unsmiling and dogged, intense and a bit priggish even in pursuit, and the perfect touch of the single purple flower he proffs to Eliza….
I can never get enough Pride and Prjudice, nor Jane Austen, would that she had written more than five novels! I would see this version again in an instant, just to see Keira and Matthew fall in love all over again! Even the last scene, unorthodox and NOT in the book (how could one ever improve on it?) was very sweet, just two young people in love who happen to have a mansion, and I love Darcy in his stockingless bare legs and open shirt, the Gentleman at his ease with his hard-won “dearest, loveliest Elizabeth.”
November 28th, 2005 at 12:59 am
One more thing I did miss:
“You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you…”
November 28th, 2005 at 1:39 am
I agree with all the things that were missing in the movie that I would have loved to have seen:
Darcy to Caroline Bingley: Lizzie’s ‘fine eyes’
‘Dearest loveliest Elizabeth’ - does Darcy only address Lizzie as ‘Miss Elizabeth’???
‘You must allow me to tell you how ardently I ADMIRE AND LOVE YOU’!
And equally shocked at how Bingley just entered Jane’s room while she was sick, or at Caroline Bingley’s arm-showing at the Netherfield Ball! And how Elizabeth could just wander around Pemberley unattended? Also, I wasn’t used to Joe Wright’s style at first, but now I see it’s such a refreshing change from all the ‘Regency’ P&P movies we have seen so far.
Sure, a lot of dialogue was left out - they only had 2 hours although I do wish it had been 6!!! More MM please! But it’s a movie and not a book. You’re not reading it and trying to visualise it because you can already see it and feel it. Some of the dialogue was perhaps best left out for the movie, like how after Darcy proposes the 2nd time, she just takes his hand instead of telling him how *she* feels. I’m sure girls back then were not as outspoken although we’re talking Elizabeth Bennet here.
But I loved this version. MM is just perfect! His eyes… how they portray his struggle to contain his love. The beautiful haunting music that lingered with me, especially the particular theme that came on when Darcy was walking towards Elizabeth in the fields at dawn. Major swooning… Cinematography - excellent!
So the movie doesn’t tell of how Elizabeth fell in love with Darcy, but anyone who has ever been in love can tell you there isn’t a plausible explanation for that! So she realises she has totally misunderstood him after reading his letter; his love for her prompted her to look in that direction too, considering a lot of ‘what ifs’. And that fateful meeting at Pemberley… She knew then.
‘We are all fools in love.’
November 28th, 2005 at 3:06 am
What I find intriguing on this blog is the amount of praise for MM’s Darcy. That’s refreshing, considering that most of the reviews/blogs (with notable exception of the MM fan site blog ;-)) were far from complimentary in this departament (even those who praised the film in general). So much so that I’ve almost written his Darcy off. This blog makes me want to see the movie more (if THAT’S possible):-)
I found “The New Yorker” review very amusing… in the vein: all resemblance to Austen work is “purely coincidental” (witty! if a little harsh) On the other hand Roger Ebert (who claims to have read the original) was positively gushing.(!) This is what I mean by “confusing reviews”.
Wait! “how ardently I admire and love you” line was cut!? Why!! Are they completely insane!!? How did he open the first proposal, then?? “Hey! Yo! Liz”!?
November 28th, 2005 at 7:10 am
the first time I saw the first proposal scene between MM and KK, I literally held my breath, though I have read the book countless times and seen the BBC version many many times.
I believe rain symbolises emotion, and emotion was most definately pouring down and coming out of their souls in this scene. Amazing
November 28th, 2005 at 8:23 am
I adored P&P3!!! Obviously some things were slightly irksome, like Miss Bingley’s dress at the Netherfield ball and Darcy randomly dropping off the letter….but none of that interferred with my overall opinion, which is that this is the best jane austen movie yet! Everyone was PERFECT…Matthew Macfayden was a dazzling, convincingly vulnerable Mr.Darcy who wooed me right along with Elizabeth. They had fabulous chemistry, especially during the rain scene and the dance. I really liked how the movie didn’t seem restricted to the indoors the entire time…I thought the messy, unkept vibe worked well for everything.
I wish we could have seen a little more of Wickham( his looks actually reminded me a bit of Orlando Bloom). We see him for one scene and then, bang! Married to Lydia! And it would have been nice to see a little more of Caroline Bingley. Really, I can’t think of anything they could have taken out though…dear me, I loved it all…I think no one would have suffered if fifteen or twenty minutes had been added on.
Does anyone know if the DVD will be including deleted scenes?
November 28th, 2005 at 8:43 am
OK Louisa, I have a confession to make: I have a MM as Darcy as my screen saver (downloaded from the official website). This has proven embarassing, as my children kept asking “who is this man, mommy?” and I couldn’t readily explain.
And I was, of course, joking about the “from the hood” greeting but I wish that some of the pivotal lines were left alone (2 hours or not). I feel that this particular one (as well as some other ones, mentioned above by Julie and Mags) would have given MM “leveled playing field” with CF’s Darcy (as well as with KK’s Lizzy) and perhaps allowed him to shine even more(?). From the snippeds I’ve seen on the web, I also expect to enjoy the dancing exchanges between Darcy and Elizabeth in this version a lot more than in the previous. As a complete aside: why can Harry Potter come out in Poland at the same time as in US but P&P3 can’t??? I’m a little (!) bitter right now.
November 28th, 2005 at 8:58 am
I have heard a rumour that the DVD will be out on January 16th 2006.
November 28th, 2005 at 9:04 am
Joanna…you’re not alone with the PP3 screensavers and desktop piccies..oh and did I mention my MSN picture
Also look out for the dinner scene at Rosings,the look on Darcy’s face is well priceless
November 28th, 2005 at 9:47 am
We talked a lot about what’s missing - what about what was (sucessfully) added? Isn’t it an added scene where Lizzy lets Darcy know she overheard his slighting remark (”barely tolerable” bit)? This wasn’t is the book, was it? Because I liked that clip a lot and thought it moved the story along nicely, so I was wondering… (too lazy to look it up in the book right now :-))
DVD on January 16th already?! That’s when they do wide release in theaters in Poland. This is a slap in the face! This is an outrage!!
November 28th, 2005 at 10:28 am
Loved the movie! Am off again this afternoon. The scene at the ball where the writers combine Austen’s bit about poetry being the food of love and add Lizzy’s wonderful set down ‘dancing, even if one’s partner is only tolerable’ was just great. No, it was not in the book but it fitted with the character and a spirit of our heroine!
November 28th, 2005 at 11:09 am
It’s just a rumour about release of the DVD on 16 January 06, I am sure that date is far too early. I also hear that the film came 7th in the US Charts this past weekend, quite good really, I never thought it would get past 10th place, much as I love it. Regarding Cathy Rose’s post, do you think Lizzie looked upset after the initial triumph of the “dancing….etc) retort!
November 28th, 2005 at 11:38 am
Yes, the conversation in the movie when Lizzy lets Darcy know she overheard him IS in the book, but in a different context. It’s at Netherfield, when Jane is sick. There’s no mention of dancing in the book, though, nor is it orchestrated to let Darcy know she overheard him. So the conversation itself was in the book, but the context was new.
Actually, I thought it was pretty clever, but then, I was just happy to have that conversation at all. I’m hoping the 2015 version will include the part about Darcy being formidable on Sundays, as well.
November 28th, 2005 at 12:43 pm
We of the Garvie-Rintoul-Weldon faith (P&P1) will tiresomely point out that all that missing, fine dialogue is in “our” dramatization.
I must also add that KK’s swan neck must be admired by Japanese men who were well known for admiring Audrey Hepburn’s in her day.
November 28th, 2005 at 1:43 pm
Picture of a sleeveless ballgown from that period:
http://www.songsmyth.com/eveningdresses.html
Another myth bites the dust.
November 28th, 2005 at 2:48 pm
Aha. I guess from this good website link (thanks pinkro) that Caroline Bingley was wearing a legit to the times Russian sleevelss gown at the ball. In her own words in P&P3, “not very patriotic of her”. So much for our prude shock at the filmaker’s faux pas. Suppose it means that she is worldly and unprovicial, a city sophisticate, in contrast to our gorgeous Lizzie as a country girl whose Pa does not like the Town. She still rules, sleevless of no! Caroline plays in this movie like the vixen temptress bitch one loves to hate. In P&P2 she seemed a more pitiable creature.
November 28th, 2005 at 3:15 pm
Joanna,
I sympathize with you that you live in Poland and cannot see the movie at your leisure! I guess Harry Potter is just seen a a surer bet. Well, it will be worth your wait. Last night I dreamed about the movie and woke with the dawn scene at the end playing through my mind-also woke with a serious crush on MM. Help.
Louisa, too…you are not alone, I now have the scene where KK is kissing MM’s hand at dawn as my screensaver, so romantic.
Mayris and Cathy Rose….I too thought the added “tolerable partner” part was clever, and she did look upset and confused as she hurried away, like she said too much and had to get out…she took her jab and let him see that she overheard him and was wounded but then realized herself that she was wounded and had to quickly walk away to cover up her feelings…they really delve right into her insecurity and how he gets under her skin faster than the book.
Joanna…rest assured that in the rain first proposal scene Darcy does say he loves her and very movingly so, he just does not say the whole scentence “allow me to say how aredently I admire…” before it. He just says “I love you,” and said alone it is actually bold and brave. I just found that on first viewing I spent time trying to reconcile the dialogue on film with the dialogue I have imprinted on my brain by Jane, but once beyond that, I fell in love with the movie’s version of this love story. Or maybe I just fell in love with MM.
He says in an interview he sees Darcy as still grieving his parent’s death, a young man with sudden responsibility of an estate and a sister, alone in the world, and that by opening up to Lizzie he finds relief, a partner in whom he can relieve his grief and find happiness. Though first he must get past his resistance to addressing someone not of his rank; as he is duty bound with his family past he has to summon all his inner strength to do what his heart says and transcend his position, reach out to her and to what he knows will satisfy his heart, not just his place in society. Nice interpretation I think. Also he says Darcy is not arrogant, just shy and introverted, and that accounts for his seeming aloofness, with which I agree. Many shy people are mistaken like that.
November 28th, 2005 at 4:07 pm
I read another review in the sunday’s newspaper, they also had a small article on MM. I do hope that I will be able to see the film soon.
November 28th, 2005 at 4:52 pm
Thank you, pinkro, for that link! I’m actually rather happy to be proven wrong in my assumption…it shows that they put a decent amount of research into the film! Which they obviously did, of course…but I had previously believed that they had been a little sloppy concerning her gown. Nice to have the truth brought to light!
November 28th, 2005 at 4:52 pm
We talked a lot about what’s missing - what about what was (sucessfully) added?
Bingley’s proposal to Jane wins hands down for me. Also I liked Mr. Bennet comforting Mary after he tells her to stop performing at the Neterfield ball.
November 28th, 2005 at 6:02 pm
I am a fan of anything to do with P&P: I first read the book when I was 9 years old; even at 9 years old I knew that when Lizzy encountered Mr. Darcy on the grounds of Pemberley, it was huge. I watch the 1940’s version whenever it is on, I watched some of the earlier (non-charismatic) inferior BBC productions; I thought that the 1995 BBC production was the definitive version UNTIL now. I have seen this movie 6 times in 2 weeks; I am trying to get all my friends and family to see this.
It IS THE most romantic movie I have ever seen; I find myself daydreaming about different scenes; I watch the trailers; I watch the diaries; I play the music from the website whenever I can. I guess I am not a purist; I did not recoil from scenes that were inconsistent with the tone of the novel. I noted it and went on. There was not a step wrong in this as far as I am concerned.
Keira is lovely. MM is sensational; he got almost all favorable reviews in the US: NYT, Boston Globe, EW., etc. He was fabulous.
Obviously my favorite scenes are the first proposal, Mr. Darcy striding across the moors at sunrise and the second proposal. But I also really liked the scene of him and Lizzy at Pemberley after she saw him with his sister and tried to run away and the scene where he is waiting outside of Longbourn for Lizzy while Mrs Bennett and the sisters are marveling that they did not think she liked him (like, when did this happen?!).
I think the only other scene that I wish were in the movie is Lizzy and Darcy meeting up outside after she has secured her father’s consent. I hope it is a scene that was filmed that will be in the deleted scenes on the DVD. I noticed that there are 2 scenes in the trailer that were not in the movie.
I think that Joe Wright and the cast (obviously Matthew and Keira) did a spectacular job!! I read that Jena Malone could envision a P&P2; I’ll vote for that (with the same cast and director!).
November 28th, 2005 at 6:48 pm
So, shall I add my two cents?
I went to see the showing of P&P at my local theater last night. The room was tragically half empty, with about a dozen middle-aged women, two elderly couples, and one teenager and (presumably) her date.
Hmm. I was very probably, at sixteen, the youngest person in the room. Ah, well. Suppose most of my peers are lurking somewhere in the corners of the latest Harry Potter movie (which, by the way, was BUTCHERED by Mike Newell, yet I loved the movie anyway).
Speaking of Harry Potter, let me draw a connection… I’m an avid Potterholic, as much as I am a fan of Jane Austen. That being said, naturally, I expect perfection from the movies and usually end up disappointed that they’ve cut out, oh, three fourths of the novel, and just end up leaving out all the depth of the series and just… ugh. However, since watching the third movie, I’ve come to approach movie adaptations in a different way… they have to be accepted in their own way, not as strict adaptations of the novels. To expect word for word script is completely ridiculous, and the deletion of subplots is a necessary evil of the movie making process.
So, after watching Goblet, I left the theatre rather awe struck… they changed almost *all* of the novel, and, though my inner-Potterholic should be hating it thoroughly, I was rather in love with the movie.
My point? Let’s not bemoan the loss of lines from the P&P novel- they’re never going to make a word for word interpretation of it, and it’s just ridiculously stupid to expect it. Sure, they lopped off things I would have love to have seen… Elizabeth’s letter to the Gardiners, Mr. Darcy practically ignoring Elizabeth on his return (”A man who felt less…”, sad we were deprived of that, I must admit), the full evilness of Mr. Wickham… not to mention how I do wish MM had more screentime.
But we can’t look at it from a book perspective, because it’s just… *wrong* to do so. Look at it from a movie perspective, from an angle of what they made of their two hours’ worth of time, and it improves upon you…
I know, I know, Austen’s works are practically sacred, but if we can’t appreciate a bit of change and poke a bit of fun at ourselves, I can hardly think that Austen herself would approve. Do we really want to be stiff and unaccepting as Lady Catherine of something new and different?
Just a thought.
Love from,
Lynn
November 28th, 2005 at 7:08 pm
“I have a MM as Darcy as my screen saver (downloaded from the official website). This has proven embarassing, as my children kept asking “who is this man, mommy?” and I couldn’t readily explain.”
Me too…haha. We’re in good company.
99% of the reviews I have read, or seen on TV, have been raving about this new P&P. I quite like that.
MM’s Darcy-I wish he had been more proud. He NEEDED to be more proud, hence the title of the film. Other than that, I had no real qualms. The costume design people ALWAYS dressed MM in blues-which really set off his eyes. Very, very nice. *sighs*
“How did he open the first proposal, then?? “Hey! Yo! Liz”!? ”
LOL. That would have been interesting….He really opened the first proposal by going into why he loves her, how he’s set aside his better judgement(his rank etc), and confuses Lizzie at first. She then says(if my memory is correct),”I dont understand”. And Darcy quickly replies(almost cutting her off), “I love you…most ardently.”(he has this adorable look on his face when he says this)
*sighs again*
*squee*
I’m going through P&P withdrawal. I need to watch the miniseries ASAP.
November 28th, 2005 at 8:29 pm
Allow me to offer this metaphor. For me, Pride and Prejudice is like a box of Godiva chocolates. Reading the book is savoring each individual chocolate, allowing the flavor to melt and linger . . . each new chocolate is a new aspect of the story. P&P3 is like taking all the chocolates and putting them in your mouth at the same time. The flavors are the same, it’s just a little harder to swallow,and there is no time to really enjoy. Condensing such a story in 2 hours made me feel rushed, rushed, rushed, and then at the end, I wanted more, more, more!!! I loved the movie, I will confess, faults and all, but I just felt it ended too quickly, and I was frustrated and unsatisfied. I can overlook the blatant disregard for the book because the story is still Jane’s, and maybe with the DVD, I can watch more of it and get some satisfaction.
November 28th, 2005 at 9:18 pm
Cindy and Lynn are we the same person? I couldn’t have summarized my feelings about the movie better than you two have done…I adore it and I also adore the book
November 28th, 2005 at 9:20 pm
Sorry English majors abroad, me thinks I meant a “simile” (wink, wink)
November 28th, 2005 at 10:18 pm
I loved Lynn’s thoughts.. they basically summed my up completely. More screentime for MM would have been excellent, but i’m crossing my fingers that there will be an extended version or at least some deleted scenes on the dvd.
by the way, was the ending in england different than america’s? that was my only major disappointment; the US end of P&P3 almost embarassed me.
November 28th, 2005 at 11:03 pm
alfredlordbleep
*laughs self sick*
Welcome to AustenBlog, yer lordship!
November 29th, 2005 at 12:49 pm
I loved, loved, LOVED the movie. It’s not as faithful to the book as is the Garvie/Rintoul version (which is my favorite overall adaptation), but I just adored it. I’ve seen it 4 times, and plan at least one or 2 more viewings in the not-too-distant future.
Jennifer Ehle’s Elizabeth was too smug for my taste. JA tells us that, while her words might be caustic, she never gave offense. JE’s Elizabeth gave offense, and seemed to be very happy to do it.
Matthew MacFadyen is *my* Mr. Darcy. I never loved Firth in the role. I suspect they wanted him to look intense and brooding, but I only thought he looked uncomfortable or annoyed. MacFadyen brought flesh and blood and true emotion to the role. And we didn’t even need to see him in a wet shirt (I still hate that scene anyway because it reeked of desperation). Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he has a gorgeous voice and lovely, sexy blue eyes.
And BINGLEY WAS NOT IN JANE’S ROOM. EVER. He was in an anteroom, just on the other side of the threshold from Jane’s actual room. In addition, Lizzy was there, so it was not improper.
November 29th, 2005 at 4:00 pm
You’re all crazy, but it’s nice to know I’m not alone.
I teach literature, so you’d think I’d be more of a purist, but I can’t help myself when I say the movie is perfect. I loved every second of it (all four times I’ve seen it). And I’ll agree with the blog above which said that MM was “my Mr. Darcy.” I believe it is the most beautiful film I have ever seen, and when I come to own it, I may never leave my house. Is anybody else envious of those who were able to be a part of it? Who wouldn’t love to live in the Bennett’s home?
The movie is full of those emotions we all hope to feel on a daily basis, and it shows how movies can still be made where two truly good people can fall into a perfectly pure love. Without lewd humor and sex scenes (fancy that!), Hollywood has made Jane Austen’s book the perfect romantic comedy.
November 29th, 2005 at 5:22 pm
Thanks, Mags, for your welcoming hands-across-the-sea.
Katie, you have doffed your professor’s gown and really let go. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
I will only add (for completeness)that P&P is more: a romantic comedy (with the fairest heroine of all) wrapped in a social comedy.
November 29th, 2005 at 6:09 pm
I don’t think you have to yell, Julie. I think that point is understood but I don’t think that the need to preserve propriety was why he didn’t step into the room. Propriety and attention to decorum and manners had really no part in this adaptation. This is fine if the movie manages to stay consistent, however, this scene still doesn’t make sense to me. If it’s meant to show Bingley’s concern then it’s overdoing it. The guy is basically a fluffy puppy- everyone and their uncle knows from his face that he loves Jane. I’m just wondering why they played it straight in that there was no sexual tension. Given DM’s interpretation of Jane I didn’t see much beyond her character except her beauty- I never got the impression of her contemplative nature or her firm willingness to believe the goodness in others. So from that I gather it’s basically just sexual attraction between Jane and Charles. I think this angle would have really worked because she’s already splayed out in bed- that might be a bit harsh but she doesn’t even try to sit up against the headboards. I was willing to accept Bingley’s proposal and the whole “unmitigated ass” remark simply because DM needed to provide a new reason for this Bingley to leave. It couldn’t be that he wasn’t convinced of Jane’s feelings- to me it seemed pretty obvious, and I don’t think she was particularly shy or modest in displaying her feelings.
Okay, if DM still wanted to show Bingley’s concern then I think the dramatic tension, as opposed to the melodramatic, would have been heightened if he inquired about her health in the drawing room. At least in the drawing room we would have seen more of Caroline who I thought was played very well given the absolute wittling of her character down to basically just a superficial bitch. In all her interactions with Lizzy I was openly cheering her on.
November 29th, 2005 at 7:07 pm
Mr. Bingley still managed to see Miss Bennet in her nighty.
I wish the apologists for this movie would admit that something may, possibly, by chance, be a mistake. No adaptation is perfect.
November 29th, 2005 at 7:31 pm
And I, Ms. M, wish that those who dislike the movie would stop treating those of us who do as if we were drooling idiots who owe IQ points.
November 29th, 2005 at 9:58 pm
I adore Olivier. I adore Colin. I love Matthew. I have ordered the music, will be swimming off my island to see the movie again (no movie theaters here!) and daydream about various scenes. Cindy you spoke for me too! I will watch all the versions again as many times as I am able.
On the ferry going to the movie my mom said “Everyone has their Darcy, you know.” Can’t I have three? Each time they tell the story it is fresh, with fresh people, and if they get to the heart, that genuine feeling can transcend conformity and convention, horray!
November 30th, 2005 at 12:02 am
My mellow is being harshed. (Oops, wrong site.)
I am distressed. Polite discourse is so much more pleasing. I beg you to return to that former manner of conversing.
November 30th, 2005 at 12:41 am
My mellow is being harshed. (Oops, wrong site.)
ha ha ha ha haaaaaa. We say that at Horatians, too.
November 30th, 2005 at 8:14 am
What a compliment to Jane Austen that here we are 200 years later, and there is controversy raging about an adaptation of her Pride and Prejudice. However IMO the film is lovely, and is just heaven sent for the romantics, hence its popularity. It is a harmless and charming movie, how could anyone not like it? Please tell me, what is there not to like? (laying aside the fact that they took liberties with the novel) There is such dross at the movies these days, and it is a relief that Bingley only stepped into the ante room and didn’t clamber into bed with Jane, as would happen in a modern movie.
November 30th, 2005 at 11:59 am
Well, gee, folks … I am all despair. P&P3 has yet to make it to my ‘Burg and I am already afraid I will hate it … AND afraid I will love it. I’ve been gearing up by rewatching the Rintoul and Firth versions, and those who know me understand it will take a lot to replace Colin Firth in my dreams. I agree that J.Ehle was a little to mean at times, but Garvie seemed to sneer ALL the time. I can’t envision that KK will ever satisfy my particular requirements for the perfect Lizzie.
But I do agree whole-heartedly with Mayris that it is wonderful that a 200 year old book can still arouse such passionate “discussion”. Oh that we wanna-be-famous-some-day authors may be so fortunate!
November 30th, 2005 at 12:14 pm
Discussing the movies has been such an interesting discussion here, and with my friends, that I created a poll on my blog. Click “Missyisms” above to visit my blog and vote, if you’d like.
November 30th, 2005 at 12:17 pm
Garvie seemed to sneer ALL the time
There’s no way to sugarcoat this: that is the most wrong-headed pronouncement on P&P1 ever. Perhaps helps explain what makes a P&P2 partisan?
November 30th, 2005 at 3:54 pm
You’ve made me want to watch P&P1 again. I saw it once a long time ago, and couldn’t get past the “stiff” feel to it.
November 30th, 2005 at 5:28 pm
I will do likewise, Julie B., it’s almost a year since the last time I saw P&P1 and what it continued to bother me is not its stiffness, but Lizzy’s long run to Pemberley.
November 30th, 2005 at 5:48 pm
I like P&P1. Have a hard time with Rintoul (he’ll always be Dr. Clive to me now, anyway), but Garvie is my favorite Elizabeth. She comes closest to the sweet archness Austen describes, in my opinion. I also like Mr. and Mrs. Bennet in this one, as well as Mr. Collins. Nobody else really made an impression, though. Lady Catherine was very elegant, but I didn’t think she was how Lady Catherine ought to be.
November 30th, 2005 at 7:46 pm
I guess the Olivier/Garson version is P&Pzero.
Greer Garson is my favorite Lizzie. Amused, quick, arch, affectionate, and captivating.
November 30th, 2005 at 9:36 pm
P&P1 might have appealed to audiences back then … but definitely agree it’s too stiff for now.
P&P3 all the way. Even if they make another one in 10-20 year’s time, I doubt they would even re-create such a beautiful movie - so much romance, yearning… which is essentially what Lizzie & Darcy are about.
Yes, I do wish they had made the movie 3 hours long! If Harry Potter/Star Wars/Lord of the Rings (ok, inappropriate comparisons!) could be 3 hours, why couldn’t P&P3 have been?!?!
November 30th, 2005 at 9:56 pm
I have to say that I was very disappointed with the new P&P movie.
Maybe I expected too much of it.
But the only two who acted half as I expected was in the first place Elizabeth, and far in the second place, her father.
And how can this movie end with Mr. Bennet´s picture?
I understand that they had little time here to say all the things they ought to (it wasn´t Firth and Ehele´s version after all), but this was simply too much, or I should say… too little.
I really, really, really LOVED Colin´s version. He still IS Mr. Darcy, as J. Ehele is Miss Bennet.
Sorry if I´m too hard on this new version of our beloved Jane, but this is the way I felt when I turned off my tv after watching it.
Ana
Buenos Aires - Argentina
December 1st, 2005 at 5:34 am
dear Ana, how could you watch it on your TV? I’m all amazement.
December 1st, 2005 at 4:22 pm
The great thing that the Emma Thompson Sense & Sensibility had, and that this Knightley Pride & Prejudice could have had but doesn’t, is the tension imposed on the main characters, whereby their sense of honor and allegiance to the rules of propriety and manners is a major obstacle to expressing their true feelings to those they love. Elizabeth Bennett and Elinor Dashwood, as written by Austen, are great characters because they abide by their sense of honor even though it puts them at risk of never reaching those they love. This P&P, while an excellent romantic movie, deprives us of the exceptionally admirable Elizabeth of Austen’s conception, because it has removed from the world of the movie the overriding social force of the rules of propriety, as several commenters here have noted above, in an effort to make the world of the movie more familiar to the modern audience. I understand why the movie-makers did this; they didn’t want to spend time educating the audience in the social manners of 200 years ago, as that might get in the way of the love-story (although this was not a problem for the S&S movie). But their choice has cost us something fundamental, I think, because it made it impossible to present Elizabeth as she ought to have been. I am curious to know from those commenters here who have felt Eliabeth to be a life-long role model for them, whether they think that the Elizabeth as presented in this movie would have inspired them in the same way, had this been the kind of Elizabeth they first encountered when they first read the book or first saw a P&P dramatization. If not, then I should think that we should urge our daughters’ first experience of P&P to one of the other dramatic versions, or to the book, before this movie.
December 1st, 2005 at 6:17 pm
Chick Lit?
…our daughters’ first experience of P&P…
And not our sons?
December 2nd, 2005 at 1:15 am
what it continued to bother me is not its stiffness, but Lizzy’s long run to Pemberley
And Mr. Collins’ Amazing Floating Hat.
That being said, I think I’m going to treat myself to that boxed set of the “older” series on DVD, and I’m looking forward to seeing them all again, as I enjoyed them all.
Have a hard time with Rintoul (he’ll always be Dr. Clive to me now, anyway)
Heh. I call him The Doctor Formerly Known as Mr. Darcy.
Jen, I think Ana meant she watched P&P2 on the TV.
December 2nd, 2005 at 2:30 am
Mags/ God. I was an idiot. LOL. I’m blaming it on too many posts.
December 2nd, 2005 at 8:54 am
Chick Lit?
…our daughters’ first experience of P&P…
And not our sons?
Well, not my sons. They would consider an afternoon watching P&P to be some sort of vile boy torture.
But they’re young. I haven’t given up hope yet.
December 2nd, 2005 at 11:48 am
Thanks and while I mull over “serious remarks” in response to some of the above…
Fantasy Casting
These players are all now too old (except KK!), but it’s fun to imagine the “ideal” cast based on acting ability and sex appeal (where called for :-)). If we could only move around their birthdays!
My first draft:
Lizzie: 1. Elizabeth Garvie 2. Rachel Weisz
Jane: 1. Keira Knightley
Darcy: 1. Ralph Fiennes 2. Colin Firth* 3. Robin Ellis**
Wickham: 1. Hugh Grant
(etc.)
*as seen in Valmont
**circa Poldark
December 3rd, 2005 at 7:49 pm
I’ve seen this six times. More than any movie ever. Your comment about MM on your screensaveer “Mommy who is that man?” made me laught. He is my MR.Darcy too and I didn’t even know I needed one.
December 4th, 2005 at 9:44 am
I am going to see it tomorrow for the 7th time; cannot wait. Any ideas on how to send requests for Deleted Scenes on the DVD to Working Title Films?
December 4th, 2005 at 6:15 pm
Why did KK as Lizzie never wear a bonnet? All the other ladies wore bonnets outdoors as was the custom, but never Lizzie.
January 2nd, 2006 at 2:49 pm
hello everyone!
i’ve bought the movie on dvd,but it is the camera version,the reason for this being tht the P & P has not yet been shown in cinema in pakistan.I am a big fan of the novel and the movie i think was excellent.i have watched it once and now i plan to watch it again.i will look forward to the release of the original dvd
January 8th, 2006 at 1:42 am
I’ve now seen the movie several times and have a question–what does Darcy mean in the last, beautiful scene of the movie when he says to Lizzie, “You are too generous to travel with me.”? I went to see the movie again tonight just to try to catch the meaning of that line. Thank you!
January 16th, 2006 at 8:28 am
Lisa, Darcy actually said “You are too generous to TRIFLE with me”
January 22nd, 2006 at 8:51 pm
Thank you MissThy!
February 17th, 2006 at 4:00 pm
I know that all of you who love Collin Flirth think I’m craazy but who cares I totaly agree with Julie P. I loved Keira Knightley as Lizzie even though she isn’t as “down to earth” as in the book and Matthew M. is perfect absolutly perfect playing the role of Mr. Darcy.
I think the only big problem with this version is that you get the feeling of being rushed through a two hour movie
March 10th, 2006 at 2:17 pm
I LOVED P&P3 in spite of its length & “shocking” moments! The cinematography is breathtaking & the musical score is suberb! When the characters did not speak, the score spoke volumes for them. Well done, Mssrs. Wright, Marianelli, & Thibaudet! MM swept me off my feet (forgive me Colin!) & KK is endearing. I loved the rain-proposal scene! The electricity between them left me breathless! Jane Austen forever & ever!