HBP Movie Spoilers ~ Far Afield From the Canon We Know

[rattlesnakeroot]

The more I read about the Half-Blood Prince movie, the more I feel that WB is really going Hollywood on this one and changing nearly every scene. Just in the past two weeks I have read things that have made me scoff out loud only to discover they were in reputable magazines and from quotes straight from the actors and the director. Things are

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[clair_de_lalune]

I actually just recently watched the version of this with Colin Firth (1995), so the similarities and differences are fresh in my mind. The Keira Knightley version (2005) also doesn't have much interaction at Rosings, since it's much shorter than the 1995 film, but I believe there was more there than what's in the 1995 film. Darcy makes a distinct effort to engage Elizabeth while she's at Rosings and often glances her way admiringly.

What the 2005 film does have, also, is a clear progression of how Elizabeth seems to feel about Darcy that makes sense. In the 1995 film, Elizabeth's feelings toward Darcy don't seem to change after he gives her the letter with his explanations for his behavior - she questions whether he is telling the truth about Wickham and cuts him no slack over his warning Bingley away from Jane; however, her feelings toward him seem to turn once she sees his home, Pemberley. Unfortunately, this makes her appear as if she is primarily impressed with his wealth. In the 2005 film, she's clearly swayed by what he has to say about Wickham and is still annoyed about his interference with Jane, but seems to be willing to consider his viewpoint that he was just trying to act in what he considered to be the best interests of his friend. So, her feelings toward him seem to be becoming more warm at that point. When she actually goes to Pemberley, then, she's impressed with the beauty of the house, but it's a statue of Darcy that she most admires, giving the impression that it's him she finds attractive, not just his wealth. When they meet at Pemberley, then, they are both at a loss for words and shy with one another in a very cute scene. It's been so long since I've read the book, I can't remember how much any of this is like the book.

[rattlesnakeroot]

Now I'm going to have rent this and watch it!!! *lol*

I agree that in the 1995 version it is ambiguous about the wealth factor because they have Eliza staring out the window of Pemberly and saying "And of this I could have been mistress" as if she regrets it just for that reason.

However, they do have her speech to Wickham about how her opinion of Darcy has improved on closer acquaintance.

[clair_de_lalune]

If you do rent it, you'll have to let me know what you think. :)

--I agree that in the 1995 version it is ambiguous about the wealth factor because they have Eliza staring out the window of Pemberly and saying "And of this I could have been mistress" as if she regrets it just for that reason.--

I'm not sure; she may say something similar in the 2005 version, too - but, what I mostly remember is a giggle from her that conveys how absurd she thinks it would be.

--However, they do have her speech to Wickham about how her opinion of Darcy has improved on closer acquaintance.--

That's true. And, that was before she saw Pemberley. However, to me, the purpose there seemed more to put off Wickham than to show she was beginning to fall in love with Darcy.

[rattlesnakeroot]

So it turned out that my daughter owned a copy of the Keira Knightly version of P&P!!! We dug it out of her dorm boxes and watched it last night.

And I have to say that you were right - it was awesome and in many ways better than the older version. Condensed, yes, but I loved the "look" of it and thought it was more realistic. It reminded me of the movie of Persuasion if you've ever seen that.

And I actually liked Keira Knightly in something, so that's a first. Mr. Darcy was a hottie, too, and Wickham looked like a rock star. That was great. :) So thanks for recommending it!