Wednesday, November 07, 2007

I tried

I tried, I really did. I wanted to like it but it just did not compare. The new Kiera Knightly version of Pride and Prejudice just did not measure up to the perfection that is the A&E miniseries of Pride and Prejudice.

One of the things that bothered me the most was the pace of the movie. I enjoy the slower pace of the miniseries, it fits with the slower pace of the book. You are allowed to get to know the characters a lot better. The miniseries was also a lot truer to the book. Some of the edits seemed just too contrived for my taste.

Matthew Macfadyen is can't hold a candle to Colin Firth's portrayal of Mr. Darcy. Colin Firth has a wonderful range as an actor and can show many layers of emotion all at once. I heart Colin Firth, I even watched Bridget Jones' Diary just to see him. Matthew Macfadyen merely looked sullen and grouchy for most of the movie. My heart did not pitter patter at all, there was no moment of joy when Mr Darcey and Elizabeth finally declare their love for each other.

The movie version was not all bad. Some of the other characters were not all that horridly portrayed, so it was not torture to watch the movie version. The sisters were better in the movie than in the miniseries. The time was not entirely wasted as I got to do a lot of knitting and annoy my husband by watching a chick flick.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Change is hard. I saw an amazing Wuthering Heights when I was in England ... nothing compares to it.

Elizabeth-W said...

I agree 100%!

Nancy Evans said...

Silly girl!

Gina said...

I am ashamed to admit that I have never seen either version, but I loved the book!

Family Adventure said...

I ADORE Matthew Macfadyen. In my eyes, the man can do no wrong. Of course I haven't seen the movie, so it may suck, but he is just a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e.

:) Heidi

Elozia Marie said...

I completely agree! Have you read "Austenland"? I think you'd like it. Nothing can compare to the 6-hour Pride & Prejudice dvds!

Damselfly said...

"The time was not entirely wasted as I got to ... annoy my husband by watching a chick flick." Hee hee!

Anonymous said...

I just love those kind of British up the bum movies!! The first Bridget Jones was better (I thought).

Anonymous said...

i kind of liked it. but keira knightley (sp?) does kind of bug me. she is a little bit to birdy for me.

Awesome Mom said...

No kidding you da mom! I kept wanting to hand her a sandwich because she looked like she might blow away in a gust of wind.

Summer said...

I couldn't get into it. I guess I'm too attached to the A%E miniseries. And of course the book. :)

Vicky said...

I have not seen the new film but I have the miniseries with Colin Firth on DVD and in fact in my advanced ladies English classes, we are watching it 30 minutes at a time and discussing it. It is actually hard going because of the older and more formal language but the drama and the fact that it is such a well acted story means that they are all following the main plot at least. It has brought up a lot of topics about the lot of women and the necessity for security then and now. And of course we all love to drool over Mr Darcy without having to be embarrassed by anything more than one kiss at the very end!