The other night I was talking to a friend about Pride and Prejudice. We're both fans and agreed that we favor the Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle version above all others. I am simply amazed by the number of adaptations that have been done and those are just the ones that I have seen. Perhaps there are others yet to be discovered! What a thought!
There is no question; something about this story takes up residence in the heart and signs a long-term lease. But, what is it exactly? Is it just the happy ending? The period in history? The language carefully spoken with elegance and reserve?
I do admire Elizabeth's wit, intelligence, and courage. And I do admire Jane's beauty, patience and grace. But is that really enough to keep me coming back to the same story after all these years? I just don't think so.
I've been pondering this and, while there are definitely details of the film that I find intriguing and/or endearing, I'm fairly certain I've pinpointed the thing that is so irresistible to me. It is the moment when Mr. Darcy realizes that Elizabeth sees him as he really is. The expression on his face, the inaudible sigh that seems to well up from depths unseen, both are the result of being known...finally known...without further fear of disapproval or misunderstanding.
I think that is what keeps me coming back to this film. I know it's just a story, but it is a story I'd like to believe. Not the details, of course, but the promise. I guess it is with a measure of hope that I imagine this moment of reel life might be found in real life as well.
27 comments:
As far as the movie itself, I have yet to see a version of it. BUT, you had me at Mr. Darcy. I remember well that moment when I fully realized, that this beautiful, incredible, wonderful woman sitting here with me, loves, ME. For ME. Loves everything (well, maybe not everything) about me, and is willing to spend the rest of her life with me. It is a very overpowering moment. I was struck speechless, (obviously a Very rare occurance for me) awed, and brought to tears all from that one look from her eyes. No words were needed. So without having seen the movie, you have just described one of the turning points in My life.
Bryan just earned himself about a years worth of "Get out of the Doghouse Free" cards. Way to go Bryan. Kim you have out done yourself again. I love the name of the blog (very clever). Anyway my favorite version is the 5th one. The old school one. Anyway great blog once again! Kippi
"you had me at Mr. Darcy"
Ha! That's priceless!!!
It definitely DOES sound like you had a "Darcy" moment to me, Bryan! How wonderful for you and your "Elizabeth"! :)And I think Kippi's right. You've avoided the doghouse for life! :)
Seriously, though, I'm thrilled to hear that (at least in your case) reel life actually has some basis in real life! That's encouraging to hear!
Hey, Kippi! Thanks for stopping by! If you are talking about the Colin Firth version...I definitely agree. It will always be my favorite. Although, I have to say, the Kiera Knightley version has really grown on me. I had to watch it a few times before it had a real chance, but once I did I picked up on nuances that I'd missed the first time around. Have you seen that version? And the other versions...WOW...did you realize that there is a modern version where Lydia runs away with Wickham (not sure if that's his name) to get married in Las Vegas? Crazy, huh? And "Bride & Prejudice" is an Indian musical version. Too funny!
But that is the beauty of movies, books, stories in general. You have to identify with Something in the story, or you lose interest before the opening credits finish rolling. At the Very least there has to be an element that you aspire to, or want to have in your life. (ok, so I am leaving horror films out of this, but I've never considered those real movies or stories to begin with)
Alright, Bryan! You've gone and gotten yourself hyperlinked! :) Now everyone can go visit YOUR wonderful corner of cyberspace!!!
I absolutely agree with everything you said about finding an element to aspire to. While horror films are, as you mentioned, completely lacking in that quality (I'm not exactly sure what the draw is with those films), there are definitely some films that inspire me more than others. The whole "being known" issue is a deep one for me.
Hmm, I think you just hit the key word right there. I think at heart, the thing that someone wants more than Anything, is to know that someone else truly understands Them. That someone out there KNOWS you, front to back, and still likes/loves you. And I think the movies/books that resonate with us, are the ones where they managed to capture a little Your essence. Be it a spoken phrase, a behavior, the way you tilt your head, you see Something up there on the screen that you feel is a part of you.
Hi, Kimberlee. To create a blog about movies and then, early on, feature Pride and Prejudice might be considered rather unfair to other movies. I'll add a few of my thoughts.
I've only seen three versions of the movie, so I cannot comment on the remainders. But I've read Miss Austen's masterpiece five times and have a decent grasp of the layered levels of genius (literary, social commentary, psychological, cultural, romance, family relations) that she employed. Please don't let any movie be a substitute for reading her book.
However, among the movies, the A&E (BBC) 1995 (Firth/Ehle) version remains truest to the book script and is the most satisfying. Liberties are taken, but they are of a less offending nature than may be found in others. The BBC 1985 (Garvie/Rintoul) version is painful to endure, except for the lovely female lead and her elder sister. The Knightley version was fairly pleasant, but brief, and lacked something necessary (something Austen) to make it great.
I like your question, and I imagine the author's answerless smile every time it's asked.
Hi, Steve. Five times, huh? That pretty much makes you the expert of the group, thus far! I am completely curious to know more about your thoughts about the story. What is it that brought YOU back five times?
And I agree with you about the Kiera Knightley version. It was not as satisfying as the Firth/Ehle, but it did gain some weight/depth with each viewing (I think I've seen it four or five times). But, then, I have to wonder how much of that (weight/depth) was actually carry-over from the other version. Hmm.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Thank you Kimberlee, and Steve. We have had a Pride and Prejudice marathon this week. Tuesday night we were anxious to see it, but the rental place here in town only had the Keira Knightly version. After reading more of your comments, we then Really wanted to see the Colin Firth version. So last night I drove to the next town, and they had it. Our observations so far:
We enjoyed the Keira version. We thought it was great. We laughed, and we cried.
Then we watched Colin. Over the course of two nights, we have been, stunned. Keira is P&P in Cliff Notes. It tells the story, in detail, but it leaves out the passion, the depth, the heart. After watching Colin, we felt that Keira was rushed. "Weonlyhavetwohourssowehavetotellthestoryasfastaswecan" The Colin version let the story breathe, unwind, flow. I feel that it is destined to be atop my favorites list for a long time to come. I also bought the book yesterday and am well on my way through it.
Thank you Kimberlee, for introducing me to this magnificent work of art.
(Laurie says "Thank You" also!)
Yep. Now you know why Steve said discussing Pride and Prejudice, so early on, wouldn't be fair to the other movies! :)
I am thrilled that you and Laurie are now acquainted with our Mr. Darcy. And I'm so glad to hear that you've decided he's a keeper! LOL
Steve has influenced me as well. I'm reading the novel too! Thanks for the encouragement, Steve.
Kimberlee, you said: "I am completely curious to know more about your thoughts about the story. What is it that brought YOU back five times?"
Jane Austen found a way to elongate hope.
I've thought a lot about your question and believe that you already found one of the most essential points of the book's glory: the event of being known. ...also, knowing that your own knowing is known by another. This kind of knowing is not the removal of ambiguities, but the removal of reasons why ambiguities should matter. I think this is one of the highest functions of love.
Elizabeth Bennet's agony was not her singleness or aloneness, but her suffocatingly unaware and indiscreet family, society, and religion, like various herds of cows staring with stupid, undiscerning eyes at one so "lost" as to be different. Mr. Darcy's agony is similar, but with different details and less exactly known, since it is a story from the female's perspective. (I suspect the eyes of his herd members sparkled with belief that they understood all, while not looking inward to know the self-state.) Their gradual and eventual knowing of each other culminated in an autonomous mutualism, neither one subsumed or absorbed into the other, not two becoming one, but two remaining two, celebrating self and other.
You're welcome, by the way! I'm glad you all are enjoying the story so much.
You probably know that PRIDE AND PREJUDICE was not the original (or only?) title for the book. Austen had earlier called it FIRST IMPRESSIONS.
Which do you consider the better title, and why?
Besides those two choices, what do you think would be the best title for this book?
The first title, although accurate, is also ambiguous. "Pride and Prejudice" raises curiosity. Who's pride, what type of prejudice? It pulls the book into your hand to seek out the answers. Of the two, I feel drawn into the final. Just my opinion.
Thanks, Steve, for sharing your thoughts. They were good ones!
The whole idea of...
"not two becoming one, but two remaining two, celebrating self and other."
That's a beautiful image. And an excellent way of expressing it.
Oh, and the title thing...
I really want to finish the novel before I commit to that one.
How about...
"Who Will Put A Sock In My Mother's Mouth"?
Yeah, I'll keep thinking! :)
Hey Kimberlee!
We watched w/Stephanie last night (our 3rd viewing this week) and when the mom made her appearance I told Stephanie that by the end, you'll want someone to stuff a sock in her mouth! She believed me not far into the movie!
LOL! That's hilarious, Laurie! It's so exciting that we are influencing a whole new generation toward appreciation for this story! Obviously, Stephanie has good taste! :)
Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
Hey, Steve...I've been thinking about your statement,
"Jane Austen found a way to elongate hope."
It's a simple statement, but a powerful truth!
In my mind, without hope, LIFE is reduced to mere EXISTENCE. If love is water for the soul, maybe hope is the vessel that carries it from the well!
Very apt analogy, Kimberlee.
Or perhaps the divining rod that shows you where to start digging.
Oh, yeah...I like that image, Steve. Either way, hope is essential. And Jane Austen definitely tapped into that and used it skillfully. I'm really glad you made that point!
Yahoo! I did it, I did it! I managed to watch the whole movie in only 2 days. I cannot even estimate how many times I had to stop and start, but I can tell you I watched part on the family room TV, parts on a portable DVD player in several rooms (kitchen, bathroom, Mary's bedroom), and then parts on the TV in our bedroom. It took me a little while to get accustomed to their manner of speaking, but before long I found myself thinking the same way they speak. I really liked it. This may sound crazy but Mr.Darcy makes me think of Tim. I know, I know, like night and day at first thought. But consider how Mr. Darcy appeared rude, critical, and insensitive. Yet in truth, he was merely uncomfortable with himself around strangers, he was for the most part a good judge of true character and intentions, and he was a person who would do what was good and helpful and right with no desire for attention or praise. And though Tim has no little sister, he's been the dependable, take-up-for-you kind of big brother to many people in his life.
I apologize for moving away from the line of conversation with my post...but I did want to let you know that I was inspired by you and your blog to first, watch the movie (a great feat in itself). And second, to take a fresh look at and appreciate my "diamond in the rough".
Hi, Jackie! Please don't apologize for "moving away from the line of conversation." Your comments are right in keeping with my original hope for this blog! I love being able to connect the stories of film with the stories we live every day. The fact that you were able to see your own "diamond in the rough" in the character of Mr. Darcy is both interesting and encouraging! :)
It is exciting to me that we can inspire each other and glean from one another as we share our thoughts and experiences within this space. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond!
I discovered your blog on Itinerant Idealist's Blogroll.I'm in hers too: Ripple Effects. It seems that we're both film lovers, and P&P/Austen fan. Like you, I write about movies in my blog, and love to share the reel meaning underneath the visuals...
(I used to blog in Blogspot before I moved to Wordpress, I even had the same template design as you!)
You're welcome to visit my blog and share your views on some of the movies and books I've posted there.
I'll definitely stop by yours for more movie talk!
Nice to meet you, Arti! I checked out Ripple Effects and will definitely be adding it to my link list of "meaningful blogs." It's great to meet other people who are interested in movies, ESPECIALLY P&P/Jane Austen fans! I noticed that you even have a category dedicated soley to Colin Firth! Love it! :)
Please do stop by again and share your thoughts, insights, and opinions. I look forward to hearing from you again.
Oops! I decided to add your blog link to "reel links" instead since it's directly related to movie discussion. :)
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