Warning: If you don’t give a zit about my rantings about Pride and Prejudice, do yourself a favor and don’t read on ;)
I AM obsessed with it…can’t you tell? It’s the most widely read classic in the English language (or so they tell me)…anyway, despite the absence of my last paper, I was able to watch the 1995 BBC series version of Pride and Prejudice, with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle…now I can do comparisons!
I was figuratively tearing my hair apart looking for this version, then voila, my school library has a freaking copy (though I had no idea why they do, our Lit classes don’t require it that’s for sure)! Anyway, now I have a chance to watch the version that catapulted Colin Firth to stardom. For brevity’s sake, let’s label the Colin Firth version as PnP1 and the Keira Knightley (movie) version as PnP2.
I had high expectations for the series, and I think I would have appreciated it more if I had watched it first before PnP2. Possibly the main difference is that PnP1 was made for television while the other is for the big screen. There is really something wrong with PnP1 at first glance, and it took me 15 minutes to know why…they are not wearing makeup! Haha, at least it really brought a sense of realism to the version, and there were no annoying facial features (pimples, etc.) although they look so pale hehe.
What I like most about it is that it stays more true to the book compared to PnP2…although there’s this lake scene where Colin Firth dives down on the lake, gets wet (of course), then was surprised upon seeing Elizabeth on his grounds while he is dripping…I don’t think there’s such scene in the book, but entertaining nonetheless…the awkwardness was classic. There was no rain in the picturesque ruin and meeting at dawn confession unlike in PnP2 (the proposal scene actually happened indoors and the final confession of love happened while they were walking, which is really what happened).
On to the actors…though I’m not a big fan, I really like Colin Firth’s work. Even though he is not much of a looker, he grows on you (quoted from Kristen)…watch him in What a Girl Wants, Love Actually, and Bridget Jones’ Diary and you’ll know what I mean. Colin Firth definitely does not look like the Mr. Darcy I imagined, but once again, in true Firth fashion, he grows on you. Compare: Colin Firth (CF) vs. Matthew McFadyen (MM)…CF is more accurate in portraying the Darcy I knew (yes, close na kami!), more stoic and proud (hence the title) than MF’s Darcy. He is more disturbing (yes, I like men who disturb me, haha) and mysterious than MF. He is also more self-assured, harder than MF. That’s why the struggle within (how he is in love with Lizzie but does not want to conceal it) the character of Darcy is also a mystery and more gratifying when the revelation happens. This doesn’t mean that I don’t like MM’s Darcy. MM is more passionate I think (the eyes speak volumes, I swear) and endearing…although the major fault is that his Darcy looks more of a misunderstood being (that it’s just his misfortune that he is perceived as proud, etc.) and that it is Lizzie’s fault that she is too prejudiced (hence the title again). Though he is indeed misunderstood because of the whole Wickham issue, Darcy’s faults are more amplified in CF’s version (ang suplado niya dito grabe), which I think is more appropriate. But I think MM looks better in breeches compared to CF, haha. I think the contrast is evident in the 1st proposal scene…in my opinion, MF’s proposal is very touching and flattering, very poetic (of course with the matching rain and drenched hair, how can you go wrong?), almost pleading to be loved in return. It’s obvious that he loves Lizzie and he cannot deny the fact anymore. With CF’s proposal, in the confines of Collins’ house, you could really feel the insult implied in the proposal. The proposal was more direct, no BS. It really feels like it pains him to even admit that he is in love. Now I don’t know which I like better, hehe.
On to Elizabeth Bennet… I admit I prefer Keira (KK) to Jennifer (JE), the only objection I have to Keira is that she’s too pretty (which she isn’t supposed to be in the book, though she must not be ugly of course). With KK, I feel more of the spunk implied in
The Jane in PnP1 is not pretty at all in my opinion, PnP2’s Jane is definitely pretty. The former is very masculine in her features with blonde hair (I even feel like she’s in drag, damn I’m so mean). I like PnP1’s Bingley better than PnP2’s…he’s better-looking, same wide-eyed innocence (quoted from Miyay), but more likeable. I prefer Judi Dench’s Catherine de Bourgh than PnP1’s…she’s more aristocratic I think. With Wickham’s character, I tell you, you’ll be more pissed with the Wickham in PnP1 than Legolas-in-soldier’s-uniform Wickham in the movie (possibly because Wickham in PnP2 has less screen time, but look at Wickham in PnP1 and you’ll know what I mean).
Damn, this is a long entry (I’m typing this in Starbucks so sue me)…I like the cinematography in PnP2, showcases more of the beautiful landscape (though PnP1 also is good in this regard). The Pemberley in PnP2 is based from the same Pemberley in PnP1…I really love it…makes me want to have a lake in my own backyard.
Both versions still have the same appeal—the hate, the attraction, the awkwardness, the longing, the holding-back, the reservations, the fleeting but intense moments—buy me a copy of the BBC version and I’ll love you even more ;) Or better yet, I have another goal: look for Laurence Olivier’s PnP version (black and white pa to!)…better start looking for it… I’ve been scouring TCM (Turner’s Classic Movies) channel for it, but all I see are nice Greta Garbo flicks (same channel where I got to watch Gone with the Wind)…hehe let’s see…
***
Yuck pahabol pa: Congrats to my best friend Kristen, Magna Cum Laude in UP Manila! Lupeeettt!
No comments:
Post a Comment