New Pride and Prejudice

The new Pride and Prejudice finally came out on DVD! It's even better the third time with subtitles (so many wonderful background lines). This movie is visually rich, and every scene is packed full of information. And yet, it's sometimes very simple. Which really sums up the movie: it's full of paradoxes. It's only two hours, so the story is hurried; but time is taken to linger on certain shots, giving it a leisurely feel. It's more natural; but some of the scenes look just like paintings. Everyone's younger (the proper ages); but Lady Catherine and Mr. Bennet are far too old. It's funnier than the A&E one; but it's more dramatic. It's less exaggerated; but it's also more so. How do I describe it?

I made a list of what I like about this one, versus the A&E six hour one, below, but before that I had a couple other comments.

I love the liveliness of many of the scenes. The Assembly at Meryton has such a lovely country feel: everyone is bouncy and happy and laughing and enjoying themselves while Caroline and Darcy look down, but Bingley fits right in. There is that same friendliness at Pemberley, where Georgiana is no longer shy, but it is warm and cozy feeling. The first proposal takes place in a Greek ruin during a thunderstorm, and is quite passionately emotional. Darcy and Lizzy get literally into each other's faces with their condemnations, and even talk over each other a little in their hasty replies. I especially like Darcy's deer-in-headlights look when Lizzy asks him about Bingley and Jane.

Everyone is real in this version. Obviously the director is rather shy and sympathetic, because he does not show Austen's sharp bite. Everyone's a little less evil; you can feel sorry for Mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet, and Mary. Even Caroline and Lady Catherine are not quite so nasty. While Austen had caricatures, everyone in the new P&P could be met with in everyday life. It gives it a nice, homegrown feel, and draws you in without you realizing it.

The Bennet family is especially real, and also loving. These people talk over each other, eavesdrop, interrupt, squabble, but also care, more than even the Bennets from the novel. These people have their faults, oh yes, and they can be irritating, but you understand why Lizzy gives Mrs. Bennet a little hug when she mourns over Lydia's departure, and she doesn't seem quite so irritating when she is despairing over Lydia's downfall. Mr. Bennet comes across very lazy and an overall bad father, but the last scene where he grants Lizzy permission to marry Darcy is heartbreakingly beautiful. The film may not do perfect justice to Jane Austen's satirical wit in regard to the Bennets, but every time I watch the movie, I come away with the feeling that all families are imperfect, but it's much better to be in one than to be alone. It's a very pro-family movie, and warm and fuzzy feelings are sure to result. I wanted to give all my wonderfully dear annoying siblings big hugs.

I love the artistic style of this movie. Other than The Phantom of the Opera, I don't think I've seen a movie that had such wonderfully beautiful directing. It just jumped out at you as gorgeous. The colors, too, are vivid and pleasing to the eye.

One last comment: Darcy can't argue well in this version. In the book, Darcy had as much verbal quickness as Lizzy, but in this version, he is quite beaten by Lizzy's wit. She wins every stroke. He's not weak, though, and he probably will just remain silent if Lizzy tries to use her debate skills to beat him in the future, but he doesn't win any arguments.

Well, here is my long comparison list:


Where Working Title tops A&E:

• Caroline Bingley is elegant and pretty, much more of a rival; Lizzy is cute and almost pretty, but not beautiful; Darcy is tall and handsome; Jane is more beautiful than Lizzy; Mary is plain but not ugly; Wickham is handsome, but his mouth twists in an evil sort of way; Mr. Collins doesn’t look creepy; Lizzy is “a little tanned”, has a “light” figure, and big beautiful eyes; Charlotte is plain
• “Accomplished woman” scene is properly tense and with underlying meaning
• Darcy and Lizzy are the proper age
• Pemberley is gorgeous, Rosings is over the top, Netherfield is elegant but nothing to Pemberley, Hunsford is small, and Longbourn is a quiet country house
• Georgiana can play exquisitely, and Lizzy plays “very ill indeed” (quite a mark of Darcy’s love when he says she can play well)
• Mr. Bennet is properly lazy
• The country assembly dance is countrified enough to warrant a snub from Darcy
• The lines and scenes from the book (not in A&E): “There is something pleasing about his mouth when he speaks”, “Poetry is the food of love” conversation, “Conversation instead of dancing” at a ball conversation, Darcy’s “remark about the dance”, “What are men to rocks and mountains?”, Mrs. Bennet reminding Bingley of his promise to have dinner,
• The other added lines and scenes: where Bingley comes unexpectedly (“Hide the ribbons!”), the practice proposal scene afterwards, the giggly sister scenes, “Dancing, even if your partner is barely tolerable”, Lady Catherine rearranging her dinner table,
• Beautiful shots: First proposal, servants closing Netherfield, opening dawn shot, Netherfield ball long sweeping shot, approach to Pemberley, meeting Lady Catherine shot, everyone disappearing during Darcy and Lizzy’s dance, Lizzy on cliff’s edge, Lizzy spinning on swing, arrival at Netherfield ball, Mrs. Bennet’s opposition to Lizzy not marrying Mr. Collins
• Lizzy looks wild and “blowsy” when she arrives, and Jane looks sick, at Netherfield
• The ease and friendliness when they all meet Pemberley
• The Lizzy/Darcy dance scene is intense
• The Music is gorgeous
• Mr. Collins is not creepy, but stuffy and hypocritical
• Charlotte is optimistically settled and looks quite happy at Hunsford.
• Bingley is sweet and nice, and no rattle
• The first proposal is passionately vehement

Where A&E tops Working Title:

• Darcy’s awkward arrival at Pemberley scene; need I say more?
• Lizzy relating Lydia’s debacle to Darcy scene; Lizzy is distraught, and Darcy is tender but serious.
• Lady Catherine is the proper age and haughtiness
• Colonel Fitzwilliam is charming
• Mary is stuffy and sings awfully
• Jane is sweet
• The confrontation with Lady Catherine scene is fiery and passionate, with neither competitor giving way
• Charlotte is right on: serious and practical and not pretty
• Bingley is cheerful and lively
• Darcy can match Lizzy in arguments

What the next P&P should have:

• Lizzy: A cross between Greer Garson and Keira Knightley, but with a dance to her step and a sparkle in her voice and eye. None of Elizabeth Garvie’s gentle and quiet voice, and none of Jennifer Ehle’s sharpness.
• Darcy: Neither Colin Firth’s bitter anger and bad temper, nor Matthew Macfadyen’s stuttering and insecurity.
• Wickham: Sweet talking and handsome, and with much more of a part than Rupert Friend