June 17, 2006
Pride, Prejudice, and Girliness
We watched the 2005 version of "Pride and Prejudice" last night. I think I've mentioned my inadequate (read: typical) government-school education before; it should come as no surprise that I've never read the book. I had no inkling, therefore, what would happen. And I have a confession to make.
I loved it. Loved. It.
I was on pins and needles most of the movie, beside myself with fear that everything would work out for everyone but poor Lizzie Bennet and Mr. Darcy, that the movie would end with them stealing furtive, longing glances across a ballroom, forever disunited by their own stubbornness and the pressures of a class-conscious society. By the time they finally kissed I was well-nigh aching for it to happen.
All of this raises a disturbing question: am I really a chick?
I'm shaken. My whole worldview is now called into question. Will I have to start watching French films? Are long evenings of eating peanut M&M's and sharing our feelings in store for me and the missus? Sweet mother of pearl, will I start getting pedicures and worrying about water retention?
My head is spinning. And yet my mind keeps returning to the notion that I ought to go to Amazon.com to check on the price of the DVD. Father's Day is just a day away, after all, and I deserve something nice.
Must . . . resist . . .
Posted by Woodlief on June 17, 2006 at 08:00 AM
Haven't seen the spanking new version but husband and I watched the [6 hours long!] BBC version 6 months ago and we both really enjoyed it. I had read the book (but not until after I finished with my gov't education) and really enjoyed it, but the movi just blew me away. If you have 6 hours to spend, preferably rainy, otherwise wasted hours, get the 1995 version from Netflix. Even with 3 children under the age of 4 we managed to watch it all in one day.
And don't forget the peanut M&Ms.
Posted by: Lindsey in AL at June 17, 2006 9:17 AM
Real men love chick flicks.
Posted by: Susan M at June 17, 2006 9:20 AM
From what I've been told, the BBC version is the only one worth watching. Unless you've never seen it.
You could also watch Bridget Jones' Diary, or Bride and Prejudice (yay, Bollywood!); both, of course, based on Pride and Prejudice. It's just a good story!
I'll admit it: I like chick flicks. I can stand only so many implausible explosions.
Posted by: Jared at June 17, 2006 1:33 PM
Tony,
You know how I know you're gay...
Posted by: Hinkdog at June 17, 2006 4:39 PM
I'm an Austen freak, and agree that the BBC 6-hour version is the definitive screen adaptation. There really is so much in the book that the 'movie length' version seemed rushed to me. After that, you ought to try reading the book itself!
Posted by: Kevin Morrison at June 17, 2006 5:44 PM
Revealing your feminine side for a classic is ok, Just be careful not to let it spill out too far. Loved the post. Great to see you bade in great form.
Posted by: Graham Chastney at June 19, 2006 3:34 AM
I haven't watched the new version yet, but I will note that my husband thinks Austen's books are wonderful, as does his manly and brilliant English advisor from college. I think you are safe.
And as my husband also notes, it's okay to watch and enjoy chick flicks as long as you have a chick to watch them with you.
Posted by: Jordana at June 19, 2006 9:30 AM
Highly recommend the Beeb version, which is much better than the Hollywood extravaganza. And when you're done watching that, get yourself the DVD's of A&E's Horatio Hornbblower series, which will make you feel properly manly again.
Posted by: Jane Galt at June 19, 2006 10:21 AM
I'm with everyone else on the BBC version, Tony. Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy...mmmmmm =)
And like someone else said, real men watch chick flicks ;)
Posted by: Rachel at June 19, 2006 11:51 AM
I appreciate all the affirmation, really I do. Just for safe measure, though, I think I'm going to get a tattoo.
Posted by: Tony at June 19, 2006 4:24 PM
Embrace your inner chick, Tony.
Posted by: Ernie Chambers at June 19, 2006 4:27 PM
Remember life is about balance. So now go rent "The Dirty Dozen", any John Wayne movie, and perhaps "Conan the Barbarian" just to be safe.
Posted by: Ron at June 19, 2006 11:00 PM
Posted by: MMM at June 20, 2006 9:40 AM
You MUST read Jane Eyre. MUST.
Posted by: Amy at June 21, 2006 12:58 PM
I'm with everybody on the longer version with Jennifer Ehle. Just do it. We are also very, very fond of the 1995 Persuasion with Ciarán Hinds, and the 1996 Gweneth Paltrow Emma. You would especially like the pasting Emma is given for some awful self-indulgent behavior. One of the Austen specialties is to show how erotic having one's character improved can be, if the right man is involved.
Jane Austen speaks to my soul and makes me want to skip, all at the same time. And my fierce lawyer husband goes all gooey.
Also, there are places in Trollope's Barchester Towers that are helplessly laugh-out-loud. Lots of goodies to catch up on, that are wasted on the very young anyway.
Posted by: dilys at June 21, 2006 10:03 PM
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