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olde_fashionedWell, I've finally seen it! I've finally seen the duel!! 8-D *lol* And I must say, that the clever editing with the red sealing wax as "blood" was ingenious. I liked that very much.
I'm afraid I haven't much else to say, since this was pretty much what I expected, and I did like it, so I'll try to keep my snark to a minimum. *pause* Oh who am I kidding?? ;-P
This story always makes me cry. I can't help it! Be it the novel, Emma Thompson's version, or now this new adaptation, just something about the heart-rending poignancy of two sisters crossed in love, each with a seemingly hopeless love story, and yet they both get such beautifully happy endings. Marianne's illness and Elinor's fear of losing her beloved sister (Elinor's momentary panic at Marianne's apparent lack of breathing was gut-wrenching) and then the whole Brandon/Marianne/Willoughby love triangle. We are (or at least I am) left wishing for "the good guy" to get his reward and the woman he loves, and yet who wants to see the poor girl get her heart broken, which surely must happen in order for her to marry anyone but Willougby? And then Elinor and Edward!! Once we learn of the existence of Lucy Steele, my my. I couldn't have dreamed up Jane Austen's ending if I tried for a hundred years. :-D
I couldn't help but see the ghost of S&S 1995 lurking in every corner. Certain dialogue, yes, I know it's from the book, but the delivery either reeked of S&S '95 or it went in the entirely opposite direction to "avoid" being similar. (I think P&P 2005 fell into a similar trap, but I suppose it's hard for a new adaptation to compete with such a well-loved predecessor.)
I do not like Mrs. Jennings at all. Why didn't the Palmers leave when Marianne got sick? Then we could have had Mrs. Jennings nurse Marianne and then Marianne would have yet another person she had misjudged turn out to be entirely different from what she had previously believed, proving her judgment flawed. I do think that Marianne's lack of perception is part of the theme of the novel.
Hooray for Edward vs. Monster Mommy! (I wonder if Jane Austen fashioned Mrs. Ferrars after Grendel's mother? *hmmm* There's an idea.) But what a witch! I felt like cheering for Edward when he stood by his obligation to Lucy, even though I can't stand her. To quote the 1995 Mrs. Jennings, "he stood by her, good man!" I still can't get excited about Edward Ferrars (he's my second to least favourite, trumped only by the uber-masculine and heroic Edmund Bertram of Mansfield Park) but I do applaud his steadfastness in regard to honouring a decision that he no longer desires to uphold. Both Edward and Elinor exhibit admirable amounts of self-control and selflessness. (*coughMarianneareyoulistening?cough*)
That hideous Dashwood child was there again! This time playing with what looked like ceramic figurines...if he treats his toys anything like he treated Margaret's poor pony, then I pity his poor porcelain victims!
Did anyone else notice the back of Elinor's striped dress, the one she wears when she's sitting on the bed after she's learned of Edward standing by Lucy, and then later again when he proposes at Barton Cottage?? Helloooooo it's Lizzy's from the 2005 P&P!!It's her Pemberley sculpture gallery dress! It has the same embroidery on the back bodice seams, and I swear they just dyed it a purpley-pink. [Edit: Upon closer examination, it appears to be a mere knock-off, not the exact dress used in P&P.] [News flash! New Sense & Sensibilty to be released under alternate title: Raiding Elizabeth Bennet's Closet!] If it's not the same exact dress, then it's a pretty doggone close copy. HERE is a pic of Lizzy's dress on display at Chatsworth, IIRC, but I don't have one of Elinor. Sorry! (if anyone else has one I'd be very much obliged if you'd let me know about it!)
I was very disappointed that we STILL did not get a "declaration of love" from Colonel Brandon. Here so much effort has gone into establishing what a "true romantic" the Colonel is, and yet we don't even get to hear him propose??? GAH!! *sigh* Oh well. I can hope for S&S4.
Okay, enough negativism. I loved that Colonel Brandon has hawks!! Okay, so far only one hawk, but I still like that. Hawks are so intrinsically romantic, and calling Marianne over so she can pet it was cute. :-) (and prettyprettypretty music during that scene!!) I want his library. I want his horse. (such a pretty tail...) And I want to know what that piece of music is that he gave to Marianne to learn!! *stomps foot* Hopefully it's a classical piece so I can iTunes it. ;-D
I really, really liked this Elinor. She's probably pretty close to how I imagine her in my mind while reading the novel. Suitably elegant, with a very pretty radiance of complexion that would do any Austen heroine proud. ;-) I did like her hair, except for those stupid bangs. They were distracting.
Speaking of bangs, WHAT was wrong with Eliza's hair???? :-/ It was a nice touch to have Colonel Brandon (henceforth CB, since I'm getting sick of typing out his name each time) come and visit his fallen ward. I like it when they have the heroes interact with babies and children. (It's like having a big flashing arrow over his head that says "GOOD GUY! GOOD GUY!" Quite unlike Willoughby, who's dark hair, squinty eyes, and caddish manner of carrying himself just shrieks "villain".) And he actually smiled!! Whaddaya know! You know, costume-drama-makers, it actually *is* okay to let the hero smile for more than a millisecond. We won't hate him for it, really. I promise.
CB catching Marianne when she faints was not in the book, but I liked it anyway. ;-D Very nice touch! (as was the "white knight in shining armor" riding to save damsel-in-distress in the rain...)
Since when is CB an expert on hypothermia?? (and boy was I relieved when he relinquished the task of getting her wet things off to Elinor!! *whew* I thought we were in for yet another Davies surprise...)
I think that's it, but I've probably forgotten something since it's so late. One closing remark: I agree with Elinor! We need more Colonels!! ;-P
(my review for part one may be viewed HERE)
I'm afraid I haven't much else to say, since this was pretty much what I expected, and I did like it, so I'll try to keep my snark to a minimum. *pause* Oh who am I kidding?? ;-P
This story always makes me cry. I can't help it! Be it the novel, Emma Thompson's version, or now this new adaptation, just something about the heart-rending poignancy of two sisters crossed in love, each with a seemingly hopeless love story, and yet they both get such beautifully happy endings. Marianne's illness and Elinor's fear of losing her beloved sister (Elinor's momentary panic at Marianne's apparent lack of breathing was gut-wrenching) and then the whole Brandon/Marianne/Willoughby love triangle. We are (or at least I am) left wishing for "the good guy" to get his reward and the woman he loves, and yet who wants to see the poor girl get her heart broken, which surely must happen in order for her to marry anyone but Willougby? And then Elinor and Edward!! Once we learn of the existence of Lucy Steele, my my. I couldn't have dreamed up Jane Austen's ending if I tried for a hundred years. :-D
I couldn't help but see the ghost of S&S 1995 lurking in every corner. Certain dialogue, yes, I know it's from the book, but the delivery either reeked of S&S '95 or it went in the entirely opposite direction to "avoid" being similar. (I think P&P 2005 fell into a similar trap, but I suppose it's hard for a new adaptation to compete with such a well-loved predecessor.)
I do not like Mrs. Jennings at all. Why didn't the Palmers leave when Marianne got sick? Then we could have had Mrs. Jennings nurse Marianne and then Marianne would have yet another person she had misjudged turn out to be entirely different from what she had previously believed, proving her judgment flawed. I do think that Marianne's lack of perception is part of the theme of the novel.
Hooray for Edward vs. Monster Mommy! (I wonder if Jane Austen fashioned Mrs. Ferrars after Grendel's mother? *hmmm* There's an idea.) But what a witch! I felt like cheering for Edward when he stood by his obligation to Lucy, even though I can't stand her. To quote the 1995 Mrs. Jennings, "he stood by her, good man!" I still can't get excited about Edward Ferrars (he's my second to least favourite, trumped only by the uber-masculine and heroic Edmund Bertram of Mansfield Park) but I do applaud his steadfastness in regard to honouring a decision that he no longer desires to uphold. Both Edward and Elinor exhibit admirable amounts of self-control and selflessness. (*coughMarianneareyoulistening?cough*)
That hideous Dashwood child was there again! This time playing with what looked like ceramic figurines...if he treats his toys anything like he treated Margaret's poor pony, then I pity his poor porcelain victims!
Did anyone else notice the back of Elinor's striped dress, the one she wears when she's sitting on the bed after she's learned of Edward standing by Lucy, and then later again when he proposes at Barton Cottage?? Helloooooo it's Lizzy's from the 2005 P&P!!
I was very disappointed that we STILL did not get a "declaration of love" from Colonel Brandon. Here so much effort has gone into establishing what a "true romantic" the Colonel is, and yet we don't even get to hear him propose??? GAH!! *sigh* Oh well. I can hope for S&S4.
Okay, enough negativism. I loved that Colonel Brandon has hawks!! Okay, so far only one hawk, but I still like that. Hawks are so intrinsically romantic, and calling Marianne over so she can pet it was cute. :-) (and prettyprettypretty music during that scene!!) I want his library. I want his horse. (such a pretty tail...) And I want to know what that piece of music is that he gave to Marianne to learn!! *stomps foot* Hopefully it's a classical piece so I can iTunes it. ;-D
I really, really liked this Elinor. She's probably pretty close to how I imagine her in my mind while reading the novel. Suitably elegant, with a very pretty radiance of complexion that would do any Austen heroine proud. ;-) I did like her hair, except for those stupid bangs. They were distracting.
Speaking of bangs, WHAT was wrong with Eliza's hair???? :-/ It was a nice touch to have Colonel Brandon (henceforth CB, since I'm getting sick of typing out his name each time) come and visit his fallen ward. I like it when they have the heroes interact with babies and children. (It's like having a big flashing arrow over his head that says "GOOD GUY! GOOD GUY!" Quite unlike Willoughby, who's dark hair, squinty eyes, and caddish manner of carrying himself just shrieks "villain".) And he actually smiled!! Whaddaya know! You know, costume-drama-makers, it actually *is* okay to let the hero smile for more than a millisecond. We won't hate him for it, really. I promise.
CB catching Marianne when she faints was not in the book, but I liked it anyway. ;-D Very nice touch! (as was the "white knight in shining armor" riding to save damsel-in-distress in the rain...)
Since when is CB an expert on hypothermia?? (and boy was I relieved when he relinquished the task of getting her wet things off to Elinor!! *whew* I thought we were in for yet another Davies surprise...)
I think that's it, but I've probably forgotten something since it's so late. One closing remark: I agree with Elinor! We need more Colonels!! ;-P
(my review for part one may be viewed HERE)
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no subject
Date: 2008-04-08 05:46 am (UTC)I hope you like it!
no subject
Date: 2008-04-08 10:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-09 01:32 am (UTC)If you're going to start a Jane Austen, the Sense & Sensibility would not be the novel I would recommend if it's your first JA book. It's hard for some people, usually because of Marianne. Some readers who find her exasperating. Although if you really liked the movie(s) (have you seen the Kate Winslet one??) and identified with her, then you might like it a lot more. :-)
If you don't want to try P&P or S&S I would suggest Emma; and there just happens to be a Republic of Pemberley Group Read going on right now. I've linked the GR board for you HERE (http://www.pemberley.com/bin/library/groupread.cgi). you would be reading along with countless others (including myself!) and I don't know if you've ever heard of RoP, but there are some incredibly knowledgeable people there, who are quite friendly and helpful if you have any questions, or just would like to know more about a particular Austen-related subject.
Emma is my favourite out of all 6 of JA's novels, and it's been called a "mystery without a murder". ;-) You haven't seen either of the movies by any chance, have you? (I hope not, because then the plot will not have been spoiled for you!)
Sorry this has gotten rather long. ;-P
no subject
Date: 2008-04-09 01:47 am (UTC)As far as reading S&S, I'd have to say, so far this is the only one I've really been moved to read. And that is because I can identify with Marianne. Plus, there was something about Colonel Brandon's character that I really admired--I can't quite figure it out!
no subject
Date: 2008-04-09 02:47 am (UTC)If the movie moved you that much, then S&S is probably a good bet. I will be very curious as to what you think of it, since I myself love it a lot more than most. ;-) And you're right -- Colonel Brandon is great!