http://www.pertuset.net/openbook/2008/04/02/austen-movies/ a reader's journal Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:15:47 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://www.pertuset.net/openbook/2008/04/02/austen-movies/comment-page-1/#comment-86 amri Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:45:32 +0000 http://www.pertuset.net/openbook/2008/04/02/books-and-movies/#comment-86 Oh, baby, it's only just begun. Although I enjoyed Emma in high school, it wasn't until 1995's version of Pride and Prejudice (with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle) that I went on a massive Austen jag that continues to this day. I read all the books multiple times, saw all the adaptations--even the dry as toast 80s BBC versions (which do have their charm), started reading Austen fanfic, went on a pilgrimage to Bath and the Austen museum, went to see the house that was Pemberly in that 1995 P&P. Basically, totally geeked out and it continues to this day. It's a really wonderful world. Jane totally rewards re-reading and total submersion. As far as adaptations vs. books--for me, they enhance each other. I may picture an actor while reading, although I'm not sure--fictional characters do kind of remain as their own images in my mind even if I am fond of particular actor's interpretations. Sometimes there are parts of the books that I'm so mad they left out or re-interpreted badly, but then I can appreciate them as works of art, too. Really, I think anything that enhances your appreciation of Austen is all to the good. Have you seen Persuasion with Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root--one of the very best. The 1999 Mansfield Park, directed by Patricia Rozema with Frances O'Connor as Fanny Price is not the book in any way shape or form, but has its charm. I actually get very irritated at the novel's Fanny Price--I just want to smack her into talking, but the movie, which makes her more heroic and outspoken, not to mention turning her into a writer like Jane Austen, kind of redeems the book in a way. And Emma--Kate Beckinsale vs. Gwyneth Paltro--truly an embarassment of riches there--both great adaptations. And, fond as I am of Colin Firth, I was kind of charmed (and annoyed in parts) by the recent Keira Knightly/Matthew McFadyen version. Really, pigs running through the house? They weren't THAT poor, for the lord's sake. And of course, there's the Emma Thompson, Oscar winning Sense & Sensibility which is just fabulous. If you haven't seen these, you have much to look forward to. Have fun! Oh, baby, it’s only just begun. Although I enjoyed Emma in high school, it wasn’t until 1995’s version of Pride and Prejudice (with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle) that I went on a massive Austen jag that continues to this day. I read all the books multiple times, saw all the adaptations–even the dry as toast 80s BBC versions (which do have their charm), started reading Austen fanfic, went on a pilgrimage to Bath and the Austen museum, went to see the house that was Pemberly in that 1995 P&P. Basically, totally geeked out and it continues to this day. It’s a really wonderful world. Jane totally rewards re-reading and total submersion. As far as adaptations vs. books–for me, they enhance each other. I may picture an actor while reading, although I’m not sure–fictional characters do kind of remain as their own images in my mind even if I am fond of particular actor’s interpretations. Sometimes there are parts of the books that I’m so mad they left out or re-interpreted badly, but then I can appreciate them as works of art, too. Really, I think anything that enhances your appreciation of Austen is all to the good. Have you seen Persuasion with Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root–one of the very best. The 1999 Mansfield Park, directed by Patricia Rozema with Frances O’Connor as Fanny Price is not the book in any way shape or form, but has its charm. I actually get very irritated at the novel’s Fanny Price–I just want to smack her into talking, but the movie, which makes her more heroic and outspoken, not to mention turning her into a writer like Jane Austen, kind of redeems the book in a way. And Emma–Kate Beckinsale vs. Gwyneth Paltro–truly an embarassment of riches there–both great adaptations. And, fond as I am of Colin Firth, I was kind of charmed (and annoyed in parts) by the recent Keira Knightly/Matthew McFadyen version. Really, pigs running through the house? They weren’t THAT poor, for the lord’s sake. And of course, there’s the Emma Thompson, Oscar winning Sense & Sensibility which is just fabulous. If you haven’t seen these, you have much to look forward to. Have fun!

]]>