Aspire to everything Inspired

the Poetry Recitation

 
Last night, when I should have been doing sensible things, (like paying bills, putting away the dishes, or writing gracious thank you notes), I was telephoning everyone I know between the ages of 12 and 14 1/2.

and without any preamble or greeting whatsoever...

launching into an Official Poetry Recitation.

 
from the wit of A.A. Milne, to be precise.

It was a splendid series of recitations, if I do say so myself.  (only I may have actually read the longer ones).

... because sometimes we just need a bit of poetry to help our perspective.

Both of the recipients of said recitations were quite enthused and jolly about their surprise calls.  Laughter and Merriment ensued.  Indeed, it's possible there was much giggling. 

Who knows.  With that kind of success, you could be next.  Is it safe to answer the phone, do you think?

"James James Morrison Morison Weatherby George Dupree..."

[Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne, of course. With illustrations by the incomparable E.H. Shepard.]

I dare you not to laugh...

I was reading a short story the other evening and did a rare doubletake at this bit of dialogue... so witty and clever.  so laugh out loud funny!  I re-read it twice, laughed my head off, and thought "I have to share that!"  I even stopped and noted the page number.  Because it really is that funny!  So go ahead, I dare you not to laugh, or at least chuckle...

"See?"  Margaret smiled, looking terribly pleased with herself.  "That's why you're in such a dither."
 
His expression moved to the comical side of haughty.  "Men do not dither."
 
Her expression moved to the ridiculous side of arch.  "I beg your pardon, but I am looking at a dithering male as we speak."
 
They stared at each other across the table for several seconds, until Angus finally said, "If you raise your eyebrows any farther, I'm going to have to physically retrieve them from your hairline."

[excerpt quoted from Gretna Greene, by Julia Quinn]

If I were Lizzie...

Just as Colin Firth gave us the quintessential Darcy for our time, I think Keira Knightly's portrayal is the quintessential Elizabeth.  She rings 'true' as the combination of wit and passion, cleverness and social sensibility.  Her characterization feels real - it's her, Lizzie!, not just fine acting or a dramatic portrait.

It's interesting to me, the diverse opinions this version inspired.  I went to a sneak preview screening and was utterly Enchanted.  Utterly.  From the first breathtaking scene of English countryside, I was captured.  I love the different feeling this film has from the A&E version.  Though it's also set in Austen's time and society, to me this version carries a much clearer feel for the Bennet's 'country gentry' society.  It's more earthy.  There's dirt!  There's obvious history and shabbiness in the Bennet's home.  And there's a much clearer delineation between the Bennet's country society and the Bingley's London fashionability.

A friend and I both agreed that this version did something so few have... Jane was truly an exquisite beauty.  Which is not to say that Keira Knightly isn't beautiful, but so often the filmmakers cast a Jane who doesn't really hold a candle to Elizabeth... Yet, here, both are superior beauties and it's easy to see Jane as the reigning lovely in the county.  Which is a point Austen emphasized - repeatedly.  Such a small touch, but there you are, and this film nailed it.

I was a little disappointed to discover, when this film was released on-screen, that there were actually a few changes from the Sneak Preview version.  Small and perhaps inconsequential, but I noticed them. 

Still, I LOVED the take on the Bennet family relationships.  Taking a different interpretation of the novel, the character development goes to a different level than other adaptations and we see more than just the surface stereotypes of each.  We see an actual spousal relationship between Mr & Mrs. Bennet.  We see real sisters interacting with love, affection, and friendship -- not just between Jane and Lizzie, but between all the sisters.  Throughout the film, I can't help but think that the A&E-version is the realization of the novel that Jane Austen imagined, and this version is the world as Jane Austen truly lived in it.

And then there's Darcy...  Another friend didn't care for Darcy's final declaration "... you have bewitched me body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you...", declaring it to be so untrue to the book.  Okay, so I'll admit that I adored that dialogue!  It was beguiling.  And it actually is true to the book -- just not to that scene.  In describing Darcy's initial fascination with Elizabeth, the word "bewitched" is most definitely part of Darcy's inner monologue.  I think it was rather clever of the scriptwriter to work it in as part of that climatic declaration.  And Matthew McFayden?  Lovely.  He did a lovely job making the performance his own.

Last but not least, we just have to talk about the closing scene... and kiss... Which didn't make the cut in the UK version of the film.  Surprising, eh?  Personally, I think if Jane Austen had written her book now, there would have been that closing kiss in there somewhere.  (The A&E version worked one in too, remember?)  There was even a petition in the UK to have the kiss scene added to their version -- at least as an alternate ending on the DVD.  Pretty funny!  Really, I thought it was a lovely, romantic scene and such a beautiful closure to the film.  What did you think?

One more thing.  The soundtrack by Dario Marianelli.  GORGEOUS.  It's one of my favorite movie soundtracks.  Ever.  (And that's saying a lot, since I buy a lot of soundtracks!)  The musical themes, the lilting melodies, the beautiful harmonious narrative... so charming.  It's like an extra member of the cast, subtlely embellishing each scene, even when it's not there.  So beautiful.  So exquisite.  And it holds up just as well on it's own.  I just LOVE it!

P&P gone Bollywood

I'll be the first to admit that I was looking forward to this version because of, um, well, uh, the handsome actor portraying Mr. Darcy.  (insert drool here)  (Yes, I know I'm admitting to being terribly shallow!  Horrifying, isn't it?)  And, really, the whole idea of a P&P story based in Indian culture just has so much potential...

Potential which this film thankfully lived up to!  A clever mix of Western and Indian cultures, the filmmakers delivered a delightful adaptation.  Especially in the use of elephants -- I'm sure Jane Austen would have been envious of the elephants!  Though, if you haven't seen this version before... beware that one Bollywood musical scene does involve a rather jarring vision of the Mr. Collins-character in, well, his Speedo-like underwear.  That is a vision I'm sure Jane Austen never imagined!  (insert shuddering here)

Though this film is a modern adaptation of Austen, it holds true to Bollywood standards, so there's no on-screen kiss for any of our favorite couples.  Public kissing just isn't done in India, or in Indian films.  However, there's plenty of romantic moments and true love does conquer all... And, yes, Martin Henderson as Mr. Darcy is handsome, dashing, and delicious as hoped.  And Aishwarya Rai, our beautiful Elizabeth, is everything we'd expect -- beautiful, wise, clever, and exceptionally well done.  The Bollywood musical scenes are an entertaining addition to the Austen lexicon and, seriously, who doesn't wish that you could occasionally burst into song, dance through the streets as the star of your own impromptu show and be showered in rose petals while out shopping with your sisters or best pals?

The Original Darcy

It's Officially Day 3 of our very own National Pride & Prejudice week!  Are you having fun yet?  I am!  Well, my dears, won't you take a turn with me through history... ever since I read that 1996 People magazine review of Colin Firth's performance (the one comparing him to Laurence Olivier), I wondered about the Olivier performance.  What was so great about it?  Was it really so superb?  Where could I ever find a copy to see for myself?  Years passed...

and then one day at Costco, there it was for $8.99 (or was it $6.99?)... The 1940 Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson version of Pride & Prejudice, on DVD, in all it's restored black & white glory!

I simply couldn't resist.  I picked up a copy and watched it that very evening.  And, may I just say, it was AMAZING!  A very clever adaptation, introducing a few wonderful plot devices to move the story along in feature film time.  I don't think I've ever laughed so hard over a black & white movie -- in all the right places of course.  The ladies carriage racing?  The huge hoop skirts and giant bows?  Greer Garson running through the garden to hide from Mr. Collins?  I laughed and laughed!  So funny.  So enjoyable.  The witty banter of Garson & Olivier.  The outstanding character portrayals of Mr. & Mrs. Bennet.  And Lady Katherine de Burgh -- what an unexpected twist at the ending, that's all I'll say!  And the Bennet sisters.  I LOVED them all! 

And Olivier?  Yes, he really was just that outstanding.  A mahrvelous Darcy.  So easily charming, and dashing, and yet with all the initial haughty superciliousness that is Darcy.  The characterization so true to the book character and easily believable -- even as an adapted script -- it's easy to see why its become 'the Darcy standard'.  Simply outstanding, Mr. Olivier.  Outstanding.

And we need to mention Greer Garson as Elizabeth Bennet too.  Her portrayal is at once beautiful and spirited.  Witty and sympathetic.  She carries off the hoop skirts with aplomb, and is every inch a delightful Lizzy.  A wonderful counterpart and foil for Olivier.  Delightful!

I've enjoyed this version so much that I'm just as likely to pull it out as any other P&P version on the shelf -- which is to say with reasonable frequency.  Black & white or not, it's outstanding!  If you haven't seen it... track it down!  It's no longer at my local Costco, but I'll keep an eye out for you, if you're interested.

A Modern P&P

It's tough to know which version to watch next in celebration of National Pride & Prejudice Week, but I decided to go with...

And seriously, as a modern adaptation, it totally ROCKS!  Holding true to Jane Austen's morality and standard of personal virtue, this version inveighs each character with a modern sensibility and attitude that rings true to their role in the tale.  And, in the process, introduces some delightful character and plot adaptations playing on modern stereotypes.  It's witty and clever.  And, honestly, it's laugh out loud hilarious!

Originally released in that regional sub-genre known as "LDS films", it still reached a wider audience and did fairly well.  When it came out as a dvd release, I gifted a copy to my dear NY friends and they reported it being popular with -- repeat requests even! -- and enjoyed by friends of all ages and faiths.  If you've never seen it, I highly recommend it!  Just be prepared to laugh out loud, most likely snort a few times, and be simply overcome by the delightfully modern predicaments of our favorite characters.

It's National 'Pride & Prejudice' Week!

And how do I know this delicious fact?  Why, because I have made it up, of course!

Would you like to join in the celebration?  Then check back every day this week for another P&P post... personally I'll be watching a different version of P&P each evening, and I'll tell you all about it!  So, my dears, stir up a nice cup of cocoa, toast yourself a crumpet, and settle in for a delightful Austen-fest, because our celebration starts out with none other than...

   

The A&E version!  The quintessential Pride & Prejudice film, it kicked off a true renaissance of P&P appreciation.  When it first premiered in 1996, we didn't have cable tv and so I had no idea this P&P event even existed.  Sad, but true!  However, just a week or two after it first played, I was flying to Rochester NY and read a review of Colin Firth's performance in People magazine.  They said his performance as Mr. Darcy was the greatest since Laurence Olivier's legendary 1940 portrayal.  (More on Olivier later this week - stay tuned!)  I clipped the review, determined to find this new movie and see it.  However, when I arrived in Rochester NY, I found that my dear friends had watched each nightly installment, were in raptures about the entire series, and had taped the entire show.  All five plus hours!  Oh joy!!  (Yes, back in the day of VHS.  Stone Ages, I know!)  We sat down to watch... and I was enthralled.  So delightful and delicious and just so so so!  There really weren't enough superlatives to describe what a masterpiece it was.  It is.  The whinging and screeching of Mrs. Bennet and her nerves.  The oily solicitude Mr. Collins.  The drool-worthy handsomeness of Mr. Darcy.  The let-me-slap-her-now-ness of Lydia.  Oh, and didn't we all envy Jennifer Ehle the privilege of being Elizabeth Bennet?  Ooooooooo.... Aaaahhhh....

Months later, it was available for purchase through Signals specialty catalogue -- a lovely boxed set of five VHS tapes for just $139.  Yes, just $139.00 (plus Shipping & Handling)!  And of course I immediately purchased a copy.  Of course!  Soon, my sisters and friends, all of my general acquaintances even!, were all equally enthralled.  We had P&P parties, and P&P afternoons, and P&P late night marathons.  Oh, the glory days!  I tracked down the Making of... book (available only in the UK) and read it cover-to-cover.  The exquisite cd soundtrack was discovered and giddily acquired.  The beautiful VHS boxed set was watched, and loaned, and revered.

Then came the dvd release (just two discs, $59,00!) and several years later, the Special Edition dvd.  Which was a disappointment.  The picture resolution was terrible and I immediately returned that one.  The 10th Anniversary edition I skipped.  And now there's even a Blu-ray version -- which, of course, means I'm now exceptionally curious to know if the Blu-ray has better image or sound.  (Anyone know?)

So, here we are, many years later...  and how has it held up?  Well, my dears, I still think it's quite delicious and lovely and charming.  And, yes, enthralling.  Colin Firth is still beyond compare as Darcy -- yes, we're still drooling.  The homes are still charming (though some of that wallpaper... ).  Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Collins, Lydia, and Mr. Wickham are all still appalling.  I still wish I was Elizabeth and wish for some of those exquisite linen textiles and dishes and furniture.  My fingers are itching to pick up some needlework, or perhaps I need to go for a walk in the woods, and I definitely need to serve 'tea'!  And did I mention Colin Firth...  Sigh...  Yes, I say it's still the quintessential P&P, and probably will be for many many years to come.  So, what do you think?