Took my DDs to see Pride and Prejudice

[Rock'n Robin]

This is the kind of movie I used to have to rent during the summer and watch by myself--DH is NOT into British type movies at all (he did go to see Mel Gibson's "Hamlet" with me once and he fell asleep). I LOVED this movie! The guy who was Darcy was hot! I've never seen the version with Colin Firth (who I imagine would be hot also) but there was so much romantic chemistry between him and Keira Knightley! I like the traditional cute type (younger Mel, younger Harrison Ford) but I am an absolute sap for a British guy saying romantic things--Kenneth Branagh, etc.
And, may I add, both girls (almost 11 and almost 14) loved it as well. I don't think they've ever seen a movie like this in the theatre before. DS was at a sleepover and DH has the "home builders expo" downtown all weekend, so I thought we'd make it a girls' night. I am so glad I picked this movie!
If this might be your type of film, go see it! It is gorgeously filmed too and has a good score.
Robin M.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I loved this movie too. I went with my husband and it was payback for me going to see the dreaded LORD OF the RINGS ....an INFINITE trilogy!! I loved it and will buy it when it comes out. Did you take your kids to see Phantom(movie)? Talk about hot guys. Guys with Scottish accents trump British any day.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I saw Phantom in the theatre with DD#1 and about 70 other jr. high drama kids (other moms stayed too). We bought it and both girls love it. In fact we saw the musical version in Toledo about 3 years ago (I'd seen it in Toronto in 90).
I know what you mean about scottish accents. We took a Disney Wonder cruise and our server was from Scotland--his name was Alun--I sure loved to hear about the specials! DH teased me about it for months.
Robin M.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Jane Austin novels make great chick flicks!

Rent "Sense & Sensability" with Emma Thompson/Hugh Grant/Alan Rickman and "Emma" with Gwynth Paltrow. But the ultimate Pride & Prejudice is the A&E mini-series version with Colin Firth and Jennifer Elhe. NOBODY does brooding eyes like Colin





For fun also rent "Bride & Prejudice" an Indian/English musical romp. Also the teen flick "Clueless" is a delightful version of Emma. An afternoon of Clueless and Emma would be a fun way to spend some time with your daughters!

 

[ibouncetoo]

OH, then let's talk Scottish accents and the lovely Gerard Butler! Rent "Timeline" to see Gerard in all his curly-haired, full accented GLORY! (The DH's may enjoy this one too)

 

[clarabelle]

I much prefer the BBC Emma with Kate Beckensale to the Gwyneth Paltrow Emma
The guy who plays Mr. Darcy in the latest P&P was in a BBC show called "Spooks" actually they call it MI-5 over here.
You can rent them from netflix -I really enjoy them -although sometimes I turn on the subtitles if they are talking low.
The combination of someone talking softly and a thick accent can do me in sometimes

 

[dis ms.]

But the ultimate Pride & Prejudice is the A&E mini-series version with Colin Firth and Jennifer Elhe. NOBODY does brooding eyes like Colin.

SO true! I love the A&E version. In fact, I'm kind of reluctant to see the Keira Knightly version because I can't imagine anyone else playing Mr. Darcy! IMHO, Colin Firth IS Mr. Darcy. I also love him in Bridget Jones' Diary as Mark Darcy. BJD author, Helen Fielding--a huge P&P fan--must have FREAKED when Firth agreed to play Mark Darcy.


I love Sense and Sensibility, too!

 

[minkydog]

I loved this movie too. I went with my husband and it was payback for me going to see the dreaded LORD OF the RINGS ....an INFINITE trilogy!!

My thoughts EXACTLY

 

[ibouncetoo]

I much prefer the BBC Emma with Kate Beckensale to the Gwyneth Paltrow Emma

Oh, I forgot about that version! And I OWN it!

For a Christmas gift to myself I bought the A&E Literary Classics, Romance Collection. P&P (with Colin), Victoria & albert, Ivanhoe, Emma, Jane Eyre, Lorna Doone, Tom Jones and The Scarlet Pimpernel (3 parts). I haven't watched all of them yet....trying to 'savor' them.

More recommendations in the same genre: "The Importance of Being Earnest", Colin Firth, Rupert Everet, Reese Witherspoon and "An Ideal Husband", Jeremy Northam, Rupert Everett, Juliane Moore, Cate Blanchett and Minnie Driver.

Hmmmm. I think Jeremy Northam is the reason I like the Gwyneth Paltrow version of "Emma" a tad better.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

OH, then let's talk Scottish accents and the lovely Gerard Butler! Rent "Timeline" to see Gerard in all his curly-haired, full accented GLORY! (The DH's may enjoy this one too)

OMG Just watched it last night. "My Gerry" as he likes me to refer to him( ) is the ultimate. Watch Dracula 2000 with him in it. It is one of his first movies but the hair and the accent are quite nice.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I will have to try and find that BBC version locally. Last time I saw Colin Firth was that movie with the "Amanda show" girl in it where he was her father...can't remember that name for the life of me--he is pretty hot. And closer to my age than the guy in the new P&P.
I've seen Clueless...can't imagine renting the one with Gwyneth P. because I don't like her much...I'll just have to start watching more BBC America.
Robin M.

 

[pearlieq]

You know, I always thought I was a firm devotee of the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice, but the more I think about this adaptation and the more I see it, I really think it's a great adaptaion and has some strong advantages over the A&E version.

While I love Colin Firth and think he's dreamy, I almost think he took the aloofness too far. I found it kind hard to connect with the character. The actor who plays Darcy in the newer version strikes a better balance between shyness/aloofness and passion.

What I really liked about the newer Pride & Prejudice was that it was much closer to the spirit of Austen's work than others I've seen. This is supposed to be light and fun--a romantic comedy. The new version is paced very quickly and is full of humor (granted it's British social humor, but very funny if you catch it). There are a lot of things that seem more "real" to me. People sweat at country dances. Country homes are dirty. People are unkempt if they go walking through the fields.

I really liked how the characters were portrayed as well. They made a point to cast actors who were approximately the same age as Austen's characters, which I appreciated. Colin Firth and Jennifer Elhe did great work in the A&E version, but they really were much older than the characters they were portraying and I think it changed the tone of the story.

I like the fact that they actually showed Charlotte as a plain girl. I thought Donald Sutherland did a great job as Mr. Bennet and the man who played Mr. Collins was perfectly odious!

There's a lot to be said for Pride & Prejudice. It's definitely worth watching.

 

[azgal81]

This is still in theaters?? It's coming out on video on the 28th, I'll probably see it then!!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I do not know why but Colin Firth just does not do it for me. He is just yuck!
I cannot figure out what it is the current P&P Mr. D'Arcy(do not know his name) was much better IMHO. I guess it is the blue eyes and black hair that attract me.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

His name is Matthew MacFayden--I had to go on IMDB the minute I got home last night to check it out.
Robin M.

 

[dis ms.]

I do not know why but Colin Firth just does not do it for me. He is just yuck!

...

 

[mtemm]

I haven't seen this one yet, but I have seen (and own) the Colin Firth version. I highly recommend it. Oh my. yes, I do.

Looking forward to seeing the newer version when it comes out on dvd.

 

[Alysa]

I am a huge P&P fan - I have the BBC version on my palm. I really enjoyed the new version despite misgivings over the "updated" screenplay (how could anyone rewrite Jane?). I liked the relationship between the Bennetts much better - Donald Sutherland was WONDERFUL! And I liked the passion and romance of Lizzy and Darcy in this one too. I loved the ending. Both versions are great - very different.
In your DVD collection, don't forget to add the BBC version of JAne Eyre with Timothy Dalton - soooooooo romantic! I agree about the BBC verion of Emma too - for fun, check out Kate Beckinsdale in Cold Comfort Farm - great movie! DH said he wanted to rent Underworld when it came out (we don't make it to too many theatres anymore) and I said "How could Kate go from Emma and Flora Post to Underworld?!"

 

[ibouncetoo]

Cold Comfort Farm is on my purchase list! I loved that movie...and talk about seeing the 'dirt' of farm life! And what a great introduction to Rufus Sewel...which remindes me to catch Tristan & Isolde while it's still in the theaters.

pearlieq, I agree with you about the more 'real world' aspect of the new P&P in portraying country life. You've got to know those people weren't as perfectly coiffed (and clean) as in most movie versions

 

[Shugardrawers]

I saw it about a month ago. I loved it so much I was inspired to finally purchase and read the book. I adore Colin Firth but this guy who played Darcy was just a GOD