Post by scotsrockgod on Nov 11, 2005 22:55:13 GMT -5
I couldn't find a topic for this, so if there is one I apologize. *puts out wrist to be slapped*
I saw this today, and here is my review. I am an Austen-ite, a Regency fan, and am rather too obsessed with historical costume.
Overall, I enjoyed it. I thought the first half (until the proposal) was strong, but I felt everything started unravelling after that. I think it was due to the fact that there was too much to explain in 45 minutes. The change in both Darcy and Lizzy wasn't entirely believable. I was glad that the sensuousness depicted in the trailers was just that, not leading up to unbelievable sex scenes or anything.
One thing that bothered me at first was the costuming. The waists weren't nearly high enough, especially in Lizzy's case, and men were still wearing wigs. However, my theory is that they've placed the movie back to 1799 when the first draft of the novel was written. This would correspond to the fact that in the country, the most modish outfits had not taken hold. Though Lizzy wore lots of dull colors, I found the color palette pretty good. I was still annoyed when they showed Miss Bingley in a sleeveless gown (!) but everything else I could live with. Sorry, I'm really anal about my costumes.
One thing that the filmmakers emphasized that I had not seen before (and am not sure whether I like or dislike) was the difference between the country people and the ton. For example, the ball at the Lucas' in the beginning was VERY boisterous, so much so you could almost understand Darcy's turning up his nose at it. On the other hand, it looked like FUN. The ball at Netherfield was suitably more grand, and was actually one of my favorite parts of the movie. The conversation between Lizzy and Darcy in that part is always one of the most witty, and they filmed this spectacularly. I also enjoyed the moment in which Mr. Bennet consoled Mary after her failing miserably on the piano forte.
Another scene I really liked was the proposal. Although it was done much more Romantically (I mean the capital R, as in the Romantic movement) than it had been before, I thought it worked. I was rather relieved when Darcy DID NOT kiss Lizzy. I thought both actors did well in this scene, and for the most part the dialogue was bang on. I found the movie had most of its stumbling blocks when it strayed too far from Austen's original dialogue. Let that dialogue shine, people. It's what makes the story.
I was somewhat disappointed with the ending, although it was so outrageously romantic (this time with a little r) that it was hard not to succumb. I found the acceptance scene a bit rushed, and the final scene, although very sweet, almost too modern.
It was beautifully filmed, and I LOVED the moment with Lizzy on top of the mountain. I also enjoyed the opening and its depiction of Longbourne as kind of a rural place. Previous versions didn't focus on Mr. Bennet being something of a country squire. I was irked that the piano music came from a modern piano rather than a piano forte, but that kind of worked with the Romantic theme.
I began, after awhile to believe in Keira Knightley as Elizabeth completely. I wasn't convinced at the beginning but as I said, I really liked the Netherfield part and thought she did well. She made a younger, more bookish Elizabeth than the others, I think, but I thought she did well enough. I'm still on the fence about Matthew Macfayden (did I spell that right?). I can't really make any particular complaints about him, but he too played Darcy as a bit younger. Again he really shined at the Netherfield Ball.
Bingley was made into a sort of fool, which helped the humor along but I wasn't sure was quite what Austen intended. The actor was quite good-looking. I enjoyed the depiction of Jane, too. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were considerably toned down to bring out their human qualities, a decision I rather liked. Mary, Kitty, and Lydia were all quite good. Wickham was amazingly good looking but really had less screen time than I think he needed. Frosty Miss Bingley wasn't bad either. I can't rave about Judi Dench as Lady Catherine; I think she's done better work. Mr. Collins came off as creepy rather than ridiculous, which was an interesting slant.
All in all, I enjoyed it, I just wish the second half had stood up better.
I saw this today, and here is my review. I am an Austen-ite, a Regency fan, and am rather too obsessed with historical costume.
Overall, I enjoyed it. I thought the first half (until the proposal) was strong, but I felt everything started unravelling after that. I think it was due to the fact that there was too much to explain in 45 minutes. The change in both Darcy and Lizzy wasn't entirely believable. I was glad that the sensuousness depicted in the trailers was just that, not leading up to unbelievable sex scenes or anything.
One thing that bothered me at first was the costuming. The waists weren't nearly high enough, especially in Lizzy's case, and men were still wearing wigs. However, my theory is that they've placed the movie back to 1799 when the first draft of the novel was written. This would correspond to the fact that in the country, the most modish outfits had not taken hold. Though Lizzy wore lots of dull colors, I found the color palette pretty good. I was still annoyed when they showed Miss Bingley in a sleeveless gown (!) but everything else I could live with. Sorry, I'm really anal about my costumes.
One thing that the filmmakers emphasized that I had not seen before (and am not sure whether I like or dislike) was the difference between the country people and the ton. For example, the ball at the Lucas' in the beginning was VERY boisterous, so much so you could almost understand Darcy's turning up his nose at it. On the other hand, it looked like FUN. The ball at Netherfield was suitably more grand, and was actually one of my favorite parts of the movie. The conversation between Lizzy and Darcy in that part is always one of the most witty, and they filmed this spectacularly. I also enjoyed the moment in which Mr. Bennet consoled Mary after her failing miserably on the piano forte.
Another scene I really liked was the proposal. Although it was done much more Romantically (I mean the capital R, as in the Romantic movement) than it had been before, I thought it worked. I was rather relieved when Darcy DID NOT kiss Lizzy. I thought both actors did well in this scene, and for the most part the dialogue was bang on. I found the movie had most of its stumbling blocks when it strayed too far from Austen's original dialogue. Let that dialogue shine, people. It's what makes the story.
I was somewhat disappointed with the ending, although it was so outrageously romantic (this time with a little r) that it was hard not to succumb. I found the acceptance scene a bit rushed, and the final scene, although very sweet, almost too modern.
It was beautifully filmed, and I LOVED the moment with Lizzy on top of the mountain. I also enjoyed the opening and its depiction of Longbourne as kind of a rural place. Previous versions didn't focus on Mr. Bennet being something of a country squire. I was irked that the piano music came from a modern piano rather than a piano forte, but that kind of worked with the Romantic theme.
I began, after awhile to believe in Keira Knightley as Elizabeth completely. I wasn't convinced at the beginning but as I said, I really liked the Netherfield part and thought she did well. She made a younger, more bookish Elizabeth than the others, I think, but I thought she did well enough. I'm still on the fence about Matthew Macfayden (did I spell that right?). I can't really make any particular complaints about him, but he too played Darcy as a bit younger. Again he really shined at the Netherfield Ball.
Bingley was made into a sort of fool, which helped the humor along but I wasn't sure was quite what Austen intended. The actor was quite good-looking. I enjoyed the depiction of Jane, too. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were considerably toned down to bring out their human qualities, a decision I rather liked. Mary, Kitty, and Lydia were all quite good. Wickham was amazingly good looking but really had less screen time than I think he needed. Frosty Miss Bingley wasn't bad either. I can't rave about Judi Dench as Lady Catherine; I think she's done better work. Mr. Collins came off as creepy rather than ridiculous, which was an interesting slant.
All in all, I enjoyed it, I just wish the second half had stood up better.
Leslie, I clicked on this thread and started reading the post before I realized who posted it and I was like, "hey! These points were made my Leslie!" ;D
