I posted most of my thoughts about this over on my Lj, but thought I might respond to a few of your remarks here.
The reinterpretation of the relationship between Lizzy and Darcy was what I found most annoying about the movie, especially for the first half. It probably annoyed me more than it should have, since as both you and my sister have said, it still works from a movie point of view. Guess in some ways I'm far to attached to the original work :-)
I was pleasantly surprised by Kiera Knightly, since I have friends who refused to see the movie on the basis that she is in it. And it's nice to see that someone else got the same impression of Mr Darcy (shyness and insecurity, rather than pride) that I did. That said, when MacFayden was able to deliver his lines with emotion rather than reserve, I think he did quite well, and I can see his potential as a romantic lead.
I think the main problem was that Colin Firth is just so perfect as Darcy, and so entrenched in the mind of the public. Thanks to BJ's diary, most people are familiar with him in this role, even if they haven't seen the miniseries.
I agree with most of your opinions on the minor characters, especially they way the actors often brought something small, but special to their interpretations of their role. However, Mr Collins kind of gave me the impression of insecurity along with his self-importance (don't ask me how *shrug*), which I thought made the character quite interesting, although harder to interpret.
You obviously liked the mini-series - am I correct in assuming you've read the book as well?
Read your LJ entry and commented on it. Thanks for pointing it out.
Keira Kneightly totally surprised me here. I noticed that her diction is a lot like Jennifer Ehle's. I think that also helped me to accept her very quickly as Lizzy.
Yes, when movie-Darcy is allowed to express his emotions you totally get he's head over heels in love. But Colin Firth is my personal preference for Darcy. Movie-Darcy is just a bit too modern for me: Shy and deep and sadly misunderstood. *g*
Good observation regarding Mr Collins. Yes, he does seem to be insecure underneath the pompous facade. That's not how Jane Austen would have seen it, I guess, but it's an interesting twist.
I read some reviews of the movie on the imdb.com and there are some people who totally loathed the movie. It all depends on if one can accept a new interpretation of a book or not, I suppose. The TV version is definitely the better version when it comes to being faithful to the novel. But the movie-version is entertaining and touching and will no doubt win new people over to the Pride & Prejudice universe. *g*
Yes, I did read the book several times. Which makes it hard to explain why I insist on writing "Bennett" instead of "Bennet". *hangs head in shame*
'Bennett' and 'Bennet' I always confuse. Even, on occasion, 'Benet' - you know, when I am in a really minimalist mood :)
I checked out some of the reviews afterwards - I was suprised about the fuss over Donald Sutherland's teeth. I mean, I did actually notice them at the end of the movie, but there were so many more important things to nit-pick than the actors teeth. Honestly.
And no-one will every replace Colin Firth as Mr Darcy. Ever.
The reinterpretation of the relationship between Lizzy and Darcy was what I found most annoying about the movie, especially for the first half. It probably annoyed me more than it should have, since as both you and my sister have said, it still works from a movie point of view. Guess in some ways I'm far to attached to the original work :-)
I was pleasantly surprised by Kiera Knightly, since I have friends who refused to see the movie on the basis that she is in it. And it's nice to see that someone else got the same impression of Mr Darcy (shyness and insecurity, rather than pride) that I did. That said, when MacFayden was able to deliver his lines with emotion rather than reserve, I think he did quite well, and I can see his potential as a romantic lead.
I think the main problem was that Colin Firth is just so perfect as Darcy, and so entrenched in the mind of the public. Thanks to BJ's diary, most people are familiar with him in this role, even if they haven't seen the miniseries.
I agree with most of your opinions on the minor characters, especially they way the actors often brought something small, but special to their interpretations of their role. However, Mr Collins kind of gave me the impression of insecurity along with his self-importance (don't ask me how *shrug*), which I thought made the character quite interesting, although harder to interpret.
You obviously liked the mini-series - am I correct in assuming you've read the book as well?
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Keira Kneightly totally surprised me here. I noticed that her diction is a lot like Jennifer Ehle's. I think that also helped me to accept her very quickly as Lizzy.
Yes, when movie-Darcy is allowed to express his emotions you totally get he's head over heels in love.
But Colin Firth is my personal preference for Darcy. Movie-Darcy is just a bit too modern for me: Shy and deep and sadly misunderstood. *g*
Good observation regarding Mr Collins. Yes, he does seem to be insecure underneath the pompous facade. That's not how Jane Austen would have seen it, I guess, but it's an interesting twist.
I read some reviews of the movie on the imdb.com and there are some people who totally loathed the movie. It all depends on if one can accept a new interpretation of a book or not, I suppose. The TV version is definitely the better version when it comes to being faithful to the novel. But the movie-version is entertaining and touching and will no doubt win new people over to the Pride & Prejudice universe. *g*
Yes, I did read the book several times. Which makes it hard to explain why I insist on writing "Bennett" instead of "Bennet". *hangs head in shame*
Reply
I checked out some of the reviews afterwards - I was suprised about the fuss over Donald Sutherland's teeth. I mean, I did actually notice them at the end of the movie, but there were so many more important things to nit-pick than the actors teeth. Honestly.
And no-one will every replace Colin Firth as Mr Darcy. Ever.
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