PRIDE AND FUCKING AWESOME PREJUDICE

[timepiececlock]

Having never read the title previously mentioned and being only vaguely familiar with the story in the context of Bridget Jones's Diary, I endeavored to watch a film of the same title and purporting to be of the same story.

I, who am not likely to swoon at anything less than Ewan McGregor serenading Satine on top of an elephant, positively swooned.

Between my friend and myself there was an uncommon amount of girlish squealing and fluttery sighs. I'm afraid the dear people behind us must have thought me fifteen instead of twenty one.

Upon returning home I wrote on the white board at the top of the stairs:

Mr. Darcy is hot.
Where's my fucking Mr. Darcy??!!!

And then I thought I should write in my livejournal about it.


EDIT: Now I actually want to read the book. I've never had any desire to read the book before.

EDIT 2: I didn't mention it before but this movie is pretty. It's really lushly and beautifully designed when it comes to sets and landscapes.

Comments

[mswyrr]

Having never read the title previously mentioned and being only vaguely familiar with the story in the context of Bridget Jones's Diary, I endeavored to watch a film of the same title and purporting to be of the same story.

OMG! You haven't seen the BBC series with Colin Firth?

You gotta watch it; it's awesome.

And the first episode is downloadable here:
http://s6.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1ANRPFLVR0HX50N9SJ239ARAL6

Mr. Darcy is hot.
Where's my fucking Mr. Darcy??!!!

And to think, *generations* of women have felt the exact same way! His awesomeness is classic.

Has the film inspired you to take a look at the book? Austen's sly, clever, gently satirical prose and wonderful dialogue are a pleasure.

[scarlettfish.livejournal.com]

You've never read the book or seen the miniseries? Girl, forget about the movie, the miniseries is one thousand times better. And Colin Firth is to die for.

You'll love the book - it's funny and clever and just so wonderful.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

So I'm told. Apparently I'll be watching the first episode of the miniseries very soon.

I was actually surprised by how long this movie was. It felt like a book adaptation.

I spent half this movie going "Oh my god just make out already!" and the rest swooning. Looking forward to the original, I admit. I'll read it over Christmas break.

[mswyrr]

Hi! Don't mean to but in, however...

Girl, forget about the movie, the miniseries is one thousand times better.

You've seen the movie? I've been considering it, but I've been hesitant, wondering if it stood up well for somebody who's fannish about the miniseries. You don't think it does?

[scarlettfish.livejournal.com]

Personally, I don't think it is half as strong as the miniseries, but it has its good points. I'd go to see it - some parts are better than others. This Mr Darcy is quite good, surprisingly, but I'm not a huge fan of Kiera's Elizabeth. Or Mr Bennet, really. But Mr Bingley is quite endearing and Miss Bingley is awesomely bitchy and it's really nicely shot and enjoyable.

It's just that I've been ruined by the miniseries!

[scarlettfish.livejournal.com]

Oh, and Judi Dench alone makes it worth seeing! She's a fab Lady Catherine.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Downloading right now!!!

And to think, *generations* of women have felt the exact same way!

COMPETETITION! ::eyes glow red::

You haven't seen the BBC series with Colin Firth?

Nope. But I'll see the beginning now, thanks to you! Though once I realized about 45 minutes into P&P how much Bridget Jones's Diary was a take off of P&P, it did amuse me that Colin Firth had played both Mr. Darcys. When I watched Bridget Jones's Diary I just thought the name was a joke; I didn't realize whole plot points had been taken from the book.

[scarlettfish.livejournal.com]

LOL, it's good, isn't it? There's nothing like period drama for the swoony-ness.

Tell us what you think of the miniseries...it's not in the first episode, but the Elizabeth/Darcy dance series (whilst very good in the movie, I admit), is absolutely scorching.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Mr. Darcy was easily one of the best acting jobs in the film. I really thought he did a good job. I did like Keira Knightly, but the role wasn't much of a stretch from other characters she's played, so she seemed more Kiera Knightly (or Elizabeth Swan from POTC) than a character.

Still, I spent the whole movie rooting for them and swooning for them and I was never bored, so the movie gets my thumbs up.

[scarlettfish.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I agree with that assessment. Kiera's Lizzy was very much in the vein of characters she's played before, but having said that, she wasn't terrible. I wish they had given Mr Darcy more screentime - he was really good.

And I'm glad it gets your thumbs up :) If it encourages anyone to read Jane Austen, then it's done its job, as far as I'm concerned!

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

That scene was pretty hot in the movie.

Actually, my favorite parts in the movie were Mr. Darcy's awkwardness. The way he vascillated between sharpness to the point of almost being rude, and fumbling stuttering frustration. The scene in the parlor where he doesn't know what to say? Hilarious.

And him in the rain. And in the fog. Handsome indeed.

[donna-c-punk.livejournal.com]

There's another movie version of that story?

Just a thought:

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

This movie is FULL of handporn. Really.

[scarlettfish.livejournal.com]

Hee, I loved that scene in the parlour. He played awkward-with-a-secret-crush very well. And he was handsome!

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

There's a 6 hour BBC miniseries with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. I've never seen it. Bridget Jones's Diary is sort of a knock-off of it, the way 10 Things I Hate About You is sort of a knock off of Shakespeare.

[mswyrr]

(urgh. replied to the wrong comment first go 'round.)

COMPETETITION! ::eyes glow red::

One word for you: polyamory. We can share him! Can I get Wednesdays and Tuesdays and Valentine's Day? Or, if your hearts set on Valentine's Day, I'll settle for Sweetest Day...

All the other girls can have one day a year.

Nope. But I'll see the beginning now, thanks to you!

No prob! I'd actually just started uploading the series for somebody else -- which is why I had the first bit uploaded. It's four & 1/2 hours long altogether; I'll probably be able to get one ep. up a day.

though once I realized about 45 minutes into P&P how much Bridget Jones's Diary was a take off of P&P, it did amuse me that Colin Firth had played both Mr. Darcys. When I watched Bridget Jones's Diary I just thought the name was a joke; I didn't realize whole plot points had been taken from the book.

Wow. I didn't know P&P was so important to the plot of Bridget Jones's Diary -- I never saw it, and I just recall the trailer with her holding up granny knickers, and answering the phone with something like "Bridget Jones, sex goddess," only to discover it's her dad on the line. Is it good?

[donna-c-punk.livejournal.com]

I saw part of the BBC miniseries, but I'm not into Jane Austen, so I never finished it out. There were only two Austen novel movies I watched from beginning to end - Emma (1996 version, with Fishface Paltrow) and Sense & Sensibility (with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet). The former is the one Austen story I can say that I like to any degree, the latter I sat through for Emma Thompson.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Bridget Jones is funny. Often the embarassing kind of funny, but very cute and earnest. And Hugh Grant having a fistfight in the street with Colin Firth? Funniest thing ever. In slow-motion.

BJD has the kooky mother and doting father, and it has Hugh Grant as the Mr. Whickam character who distracts Bridget from Mr. Darcy and convinces her that his dispute with Mr. Darcy is due to Darcy's evil nature. The bitchy woman is in the form of competition for Mr. Darcy, not anybody's sister.

And the first meeting between Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy is almost scene for scene a copy of their meeting in the P&P movie. And Mark Darcy is very much a Mr. Darcy type of character.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Did you love it when he helped her into the carriage, and then they cut to a shot of his hand and he's nervous and flexing his hand? OH THE SEXINESS OF TOUCHING HER HAND IS TOO GREAT! OH THE REPRESSED BRITISHNESS OF IT ALL!

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

He also did a good job of making the role physical-- awkwardly standing, bumping into things, rushing forward then stopping abruptly and stumbling. It was adorable and funny.

miniseries SPOILERS....

[mswyrr]

Personally, I don't think it is half as strong as the miniseries, but it has its good points. I'd go to see it - some parts are better than others. This Mr Darcy is quite good, surprisingly, but I'm not a huge fan of Kiera's Elizabeth. Or Mr Bennet, really. But Mr Bingley is quite endearing and Miss Bingley is awesomely bitchy and it's really nicely shot and enjoyable.

*bobs head* Great! I had wanted to see another adaptation, so long as it had its pleasures, and wasn't painful. Thanks for cluing me in!

It's just that I've been ruined by the miniseries!

I know! There are so many breathtaking moments in the mini. Firth!Darcy, hair still damp from his dip in the lake, dressed in that yummy hunter green coat and dark breeches and crisp white cravat, desperate to show Lizzie how much he's unbent, how *gentlemanly* he can be...

*siiiigh*

And then later, Elizabeth at the piano, singing; a truly accomplished woman. The heat and admiration in Darcy's eyes...

.. Okay, so I'm going to have to schedule a rewatch soon. Very soon. :)

[scarlettfish.livejournal.com]

LOL. I'm so happy that you enjoyed it so much! I did notice that :) Extend that kind of thing out for six hours and you have the miniseries ;)

Re: miniseries SPOILERS....

[scarlettfish.livejournal.com]

I love that look they share over the piano. It's just smouldering.

I hope you don't mind that I am downloading the episode, too...I have it on tape but I want to show it to someone to watch on their laptop :)

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Sounds good. Though I'll be reluctant to part with this incarnation of Mr. Darcy. He's like... a puppy with big begging eyes and wet droopy hair. I want to hug him. And make out with him.

Re: Just a thought:

[mswyrr]

This movie is FULL of handporn. Really.

Because that was the only way single girls and boys could touch. One thing to be said for chastity-belt like decorum: it gives such an aching, erotic urgency to a glimps of ankle or the brush of fingers.

Watching Firth's Darcy, you can *feel* him wanting to touch her, wanting to come nearer, and also feel him reigning himself in so tightly.

The contrast is so frrrrreeeaking HOT.