celebworship
Joined Nov 2005
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celebworship's rating
I have a soft spot for this version. I saw it when it was on Masterpiece Theater with my dad (who died last year) and the rest of my family.
Garvie is the best Elizabeth I've seen. Ehle's Elizabeth had more verve, but I felt Garvie's Elizabeth was truer to the character of the novel.
I would have loved to see her opposite Firth (I know she was too old in 1995, so it is just fantasy casting!), who I liked as Darcy better.
Firth was able to portray the changes in Darcy which Elizabeth's angry rejection brings about better.
I didn't think Rintoul managed to convey this as well.
I liked Mrs. Bennet better here, she was more restrained than the 1995 version. Jane was far superior in this version too.
However, the 1995 version is still my favorite and NOT because of Firth.
I think the 1995 version stuck closer to the novel than this one did.
A few examples: The scene where Elizabeth gets the letter from Jane alerting her to Lydia's elopement. In the book and the 1995 version, Darcy walks in on her right after she learns the news. In this version Elizabeth runs to Pemberly looking for her Aunt and Uncle and runs in to Darcy's sitting room.
Darcy walking in on her is important, it doesn't make sense she would share her troubles with him if he hadn't caught her unawares. Especially considering her mortification over her family AND that Wickham was involved. (This bugs me in the 2005 movie too, in that version Darcy is sitting with the Gardners, which again, makes no sense. Why would she tell him once she found her Aunt and Uncle?) The conversation with Lady Catherine is cut down in this version. Elizabeth's anger is much more muted here than in either the book and the 1995 version.
The second proposal scene. In the book and the 1995 version Elizabeth, Darcy and Kitty go walking with Jane and Bingley. Kitty runs off to see Maria Lucus, then Elizabeth thanks Darcy for his role in Lydia's marriage.
In this version, Darcy sends a note to Elizabeth to meet him in the grove, which she does. This eliminates her fears over Darcy's feelings for her, she is more sure of herself because he has made the first move (by asking her to meet him). In the book and 1995 version, she breaks the ice by thanking him, and later in the book teases him that she made the first move in assuring their happiness. He denies this by saying he was about to bring up Lady Catherine's visit but she beat him to the punch (not in those words of course, LOL).
There is no final scene between Mr. Benett and Elizabeth where he asks for her assurance that she really loves Darcy. It is a touching scene in the book which illustrates the father/daughter bond.
This is not to say this version isn't very good, it is. I love this story and don't think there can be too many versions, if done well.
I agree with another reviewer in that I wish they would dramatize the end of the book better, the story doesn't end after second proposal. I would love to see Collins come running back to escape Lady Catherine's wrath at the news and his subsequent behavior towards Darcy.
I don't know why for example, the 2005 USA release of the movie had to end with such a silly scene at Pemberly to show us a kiss. They could have easily stayed truer to the novel and had Collins come upon them in the grove in a clinch for example. LOL!! In conclusion, while the 1995 version remains my favorite, this one is extremely well done and worth the time
Garvie is the best Elizabeth I've seen. Ehle's Elizabeth had more verve, but I felt Garvie's Elizabeth was truer to the character of the novel.
I would have loved to see her opposite Firth (I know she was too old in 1995, so it is just fantasy casting!), who I liked as Darcy better.
Firth was able to portray the changes in Darcy which Elizabeth's angry rejection brings about better.
I didn't think Rintoul managed to convey this as well.
I liked Mrs. Bennet better here, she was more restrained than the 1995 version. Jane was far superior in this version too.
However, the 1995 version is still my favorite and NOT because of Firth.
I think the 1995 version stuck closer to the novel than this one did.
A few examples: The scene where Elizabeth gets the letter from Jane alerting her to Lydia's elopement. In the book and the 1995 version, Darcy walks in on her right after she learns the news. In this version Elizabeth runs to Pemberly looking for her Aunt and Uncle and runs in to Darcy's sitting room.
Darcy walking in on her is important, it doesn't make sense she would share her troubles with him if he hadn't caught her unawares. Especially considering her mortification over her family AND that Wickham was involved. (This bugs me in the 2005 movie too, in that version Darcy is sitting with the Gardners, which again, makes no sense. Why would she tell him once she found her Aunt and Uncle?) The conversation with Lady Catherine is cut down in this version. Elizabeth's anger is much more muted here than in either the book and the 1995 version.
The second proposal scene. In the book and the 1995 version Elizabeth, Darcy and Kitty go walking with Jane and Bingley. Kitty runs off to see Maria Lucus, then Elizabeth thanks Darcy for his role in Lydia's marriage.
In this version, Darcy sends a note to Elizabeth to meet him in the grove, which she does. This eliminates her fears over Darcy's feelings for her, she is more sure of herself because he has made the first move (by asking her to meet him). In the book and 1995 version, she breaks the ice by thanking him, and later in the book teases him that she made the first move in assuring their happiness. He denies this by saying he was about to bring up Lady Catherine's visit but she beat him to the punch (not in those words of course, LOL).
There is no final scene between Mr. Benett and Elizabeth where he asks for her assurance that she really loves Darcy. It is a touching scene in the book which illustrates the father/daughter bond.
This is not to say this version isn't very good, it is. I love this story and don't think there can be too many versions, if done well.
I agree with another reviewer in that I wish they would dramatize the end of the book better, the story doesn't end after second proposal. I would love to see Collins come running back to escape Lady Catherine's wrath at the news and his subsequent behavior towards Darcy.
I don't know why for example, the 2005 USA release of the movie had to end with such a silly scene at Pemberly to show us a kiss. They could have easily stayed truer to the novel and had Collins come upon them in the grove in a clinch for example. LOL!! In conclusion, while the 1995 version remains my favorite, this one is extremely well done and worth the time
The comparisons between the 1995 version and this are inevitable. Sadly, this version falls far short.
The casting is uninspired and the acting wooden. One gets the impression the director did not read the book,so did not understand the characters.
Sir Walter Elliot is portrayed as pompous but his inadvertent silliness which Redgrave brilliantly captured (in the 1995 version) is nowhere to be found.
The Musgrove sisters are so unlikable, one doesn't understand why Wentworth or anybody else would give them a second glance.
The relationship between Wentworth and Anne is devoid of feeling.
In the 1995 version, Hinds and Root managed to convey the depth of emotion the two of them felt towards each other with their body language and facial expressions. In this one, it is hard to understand Anne spent years mired in regret unless one has read the book.
This production does not capture the emotional complexity of the main characters' relationship.
In the scene where Wentworth walks in on Anne and Mary having breakfast, it seems to the viewer, as Mary thinks, they are only slight acquaintances.
In the 1995 version, when Wentworth walks in (the first time he sees her in years), the tension is thick. Resentment is coming off Wentworth in waves, while Anne is almost overcome.
In this version, while Wentworth is courting Lousia, it is as if he is truly invested, the undercurrents are missing. In the 1995 version, the viewer sees Wentworth's anger at Anne. He is flaunting his courtship in front of Anne, as if to say, "see what you gave up, I don't need or want you anymore".
Yet he still cares if she suffers, as the scene where he asks his sister and the Admiral to take Anne back to house illustrates. In the 1995 version the viewer feels Anne's shock that he would care if she was tired, we also feel Wentworth's discomfort that he does still care. In this version he just walks on with Lousia as if nothing happened.
The pivotal scene where Anne is conversing with Harville about who loves longest, man or woman, is totally botched. The actors are just reciting lines with no emotional investment.
When Anne reads the letter from Wentworth, it is as if she is reading a grocery list.
Contrast this to the 1995 version, where the viewer feels Anne's joy at her second chance. We are there with her as she reads the letter. The director had both actors reading the letter and you hear both their voices. Wentworth is full of frustration, passion and hope, while Anne's is at first incredulous then evolves in to joy.
This production has more scenes after the revelation, probably because it was needed to explain to the viewer what just happened. The 1995 version didn't need to explain, we knew and rejoiced for the characters The only thing this production has in it's favor is it kept the Mrs. Smith sub plot intact, while the 1995 version did not.
The 1995 version however did include part of Austen's original ending. The scene where Wentworth is commissioned by the Admiral to find out if Anne and Mr. Elliot will want to move back to her house (which he & Mrs. Croft are renting) after they marry.
This is a production to avoid at all costs.
The casting is uninspired and the acting wooden. One gets the impression the director did not read the book,so did not understand the characters.
Sir Walter Elliot is portrayed as pompous but his inadvertent silliness which Redgrave brilliantly captured (in the 1995 version) is nowhere to be found.
The Musgrove sisters are so unlikable, one doesn't understand why Wentworth or anybody else would give them a second glance.
The relationship between Wentworth and Anne is devoid of feeling.
In the 1995 version, Hinds and Root managed to convey the depth of emotion the two of them felt towards each other with their body language and facial expressions. In this one, it is hard to understand Anne spent years mired in regret unless one has read the book.
This production does not capture the emotional complexity of the main characters' relationship.
In the scene where Wentworth walks in on Anne and Mary having breakfast, it seems to the viewer, as Mary thinks, they are only slight acquaintances.
In the 1995 version, when Wentworth walks in (the first time he sees her in years), the tension is thick. Resentment is coming off Wentworth in waves, while Anne is almost overcome.
In this version, while Wentworth is courting Lousia, it is as if he is truly invested, the undercurrents are missing. In the 1995 version, the viewer sees Wentworth's anger at Anne. He is flaunting his courtship in front of Anne, as if to say, "see what you gave up, I don't need or want you anymore".
Yet he still cares if she suffers, as the scene where he asks his sister and the Admiral to take Anne back to house illustrates. In the 1995 version the viewer feels Anne's shock that he would care if she was tired, we also feel Wentworth's discomfort that he does still care. In this version he just walks on with Lousia as if nothing happened.
The pivotal scene where Anne is conversing with Harville about who loves longest, man or woman, is totally botched. The actors are just reciting lines with no emotional investment.
When Anne reads the letter from Wentworth, it is as if she is reading a grocery list.
Contrast this to the 1995 version, where the viewer feels Anne's joy at her second chance. We are there with her as she reads the letter. The director had both actors reading the letter and you hear both their voices. Wentworth is full of frustration, passion and hope, while Anne's is at first incredulous then evolves in to joy.
This production has more scenes after the revelation, probably because it was needed to explain to the viewer what just happened. The 1995 version didn't need to explain, we knew and rejoiced for the characters The only thing this production has in it's favor is it kept the Mrs. Smith sub plot intact, while the 1995 version did not.
The 1995 version however did include part of Austen's original ending. The scene where Wentworth is commissioned by the Admiral to find out if Anne and Mr. Elliot will want to move back to her house (which he & Mrs. Croft are renting) after they marry.
This is a production to avoid at all costs.
I understand what they were trying to do with this film, provide a more modern interpretation of Austen's famous book.
They fell short because they hacked Elizabeth's dialog. Instead of being witty, sharp and playful, she comes off as slightly shrewish and spoiled. Elizabeth's talent (which she shared with her creator, Jane Austen) is the ability to put the pompous down without them understanding what she was doing or saying . She also didn't take herself too seriously.
I disagree with the reviewer who said to chill, that only a little of the dialog was changed. Not so, a lot of the dialog was tampered with, for no good reason.
A few examples: Why did Lady Catherine make the comment about using the piano in the servants quarters to Charlotte instead of Elizabeth as it was written? It sets the tone for their relationship.
The first proposal scene. By removing so much of the dialog between Darcy and Elizabeth, the humor AND the outrage is dimmed. It is hard to appreciate why Elizabeth is so insulted, other than she is mad about his role in the Bingley/Jane affair.
The reunion at Pemberly. Why was she wandering around poking in doors, where was the housekeeper? By not allowing Darcy and Elizabeth to see each other face to face, the shock they both feel is lost. Where did the Gardners go? They play an important part in that scene. This is the first time Elizabeth sees a reformed Darcy being civil to her companions.
The final proposal scene. I have no problem with Elizabeth going out in her nightgown and running in to Darcy. However why the Fabio like slow mo of Darcy with the swelling music? I did like the affection between the Bennets. I thought the final scene with Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth was really nice. I also liked Mr. Collins.
MHO, this movie could have worked, it could have carved it's own place next to the Firth/Ehle version, but there are too many missteps.
I wouldn't recommend paying top dollar to see this, but you could do worse on a rainy day to rent the DVD.
They fell short because they hacked Elizabeth's dialog. Instead of being witty, sharp and playful, she comes off as slightly shrewish and spoiled. Elizabeth's talent (which she shared with her creator, Jane Austen) is the ability to put the pompous down without them understanding what she was doing or saying . She also didn't take herself too seriously.
I disagree with the reviewer who said to chill, that only a little of the dialog was changed. Not so, a lot of the dialog was tampered with, for no good reason.
A few examples: Why did Lady Catherine make the comment about using the piano in the servants quarters to Charlotte instead of Elizabeth as it was written? It sets the tone for their relationship.
The first proposal scene. By removing so much of the dialog between Darcy and Elizabeth, the humor AND the outrage is dimmed. It is hard to appreciate why Elizabeth is so insulted, other than she is mad about his role in the Bingley/Jane affair.
The reunion at Pemberly. Why was she wandering around poking in doors, where was the housekeeper? By not allowing Darcy and Elizabeth to see each other face to face, the shock they both feel is lost. Where did the Gardners go? They play an important part in that scene. This is the first time Elizabeth sees a reformed Darcy being civil to her companions.
The final proposal scene. I have no problem with Elizabeth going out in her nightgown and running in to Darcy. However why the Fabio like slow mo of Darcy with the swelling music? I did like the affection between the Bennets. I thought the final scene with Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth was really nice. I also liked Mr. Collins.
MHO, this movie could have worked, it could have carved it's own place next to the Firth/Ehle version, but there are too many missteps.
I wouldn't recommend paying top dollar to see this, but you could do worse on a rainy day to rent the DVD.