January 17, 2012
-
jane and I (or is it me?)
Last night when I was concentrating really hard (bwa ha ha), I heard a cool piano song on my Beethoven Pandora station. Nice, it was. But it reminded me of the first soundtrack I ever bought. Surprisingly recently (by which I mean in the past few years.) Because I had an obsession.
I rented Pride and Prejudice (the one with Matthew Macfadyen and Keira Knightley) and watched it and loved it. Loved it so much that I watched it 31 days in a row. Yes, indeed, 31 days in a row. Broke a DVD player and had to buy a new one. Visited friends and made them watch it. At one point I knew every piece of dialogue, every gesture, every look. Sighed in all the same places. Fingers tingled at all the appropriate moments. Gasped. Smiled. The whole thing. Time after time. 31 days in a row. Oh, yea, we bought it.
Then I read the book aloud to spouseman. Often as he cooked dinner (which I think is an excellent exchange, thank you very much.) Got irritated with kids because they thought they should be able to interrupt me.
Here’s where Darcy, Bingley, and Caroline are in the carriage leaving the countryside. Darcy and Bingley both looking wistfully back, longing for the women they love, while Caroline smirks at the success of her manipulation.
I haven’t watched it in a while. Because after you know a movie that well, you sometimes nap through it. And I always miss the best parts. Like in the gazebo, when Elizabeth and Darcy are arguing. And you just feel how much he wants to kiss her and she wants that too, but no. No kissing for these two.
And, yes, this was the beginning of the rest of my Jane Austen obsession. I’ve seen the Colin Firth version as well. He makes a very fine Darcy, but can’t watch that on in one night. And I possibly like Sense and Sensibility even more. Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet, Severus Snape. shoot, who is that. Alan Rickman. It is a very fine movie. Especially for those days when melodrama are in order. (crying) And Emma is delightful as well, because she reminds me of someone I am (and I adore Knightley as well- because he’s Septimus in another of my favorite movies.)
Most ridiculous exchange in the movie.
Darcy, say it to me!! I won’t notice that your hands are cold!! And there would be kissing, darn it.
In other news: Littleloudone asked me to read a chapter of the Hobbit last night. I couldn’t say no- also couldn’t read a whole chapter, because golly those chapters are long. But it was a funny part that we all enjoyed (whole gang listened in). And then she said “thank you!” I shouldn’t be quite so shocked that she used manners, but it’s rare enough lately. So I hugged her until she couldn’t breathe and we were both happy.
Comments (16)
I can’t imagine like Keira Knightley in that role, but I adore both the book and the Colin Firth version. Sense and Sensibility is also one of my absolute top favorites. That one my mother has watched obsessively. Jane Austen was brilliant, and when they stay true to the books, the movies are as well.
That’s wonderful. I’ll bet that you reading to her is a memory she will always cherish.
I read Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice while I was doing social work in a far away village, I borrough it from my roomate (sort’a cuz we lived both at the school) an american anthropologist from St. Paul, Minnesota The Hobbit is one of my all time favorites but my daughter rather to read Jules Verne a lot more often, I bet your kid will love Tolkin, so much magic in that books.
I’m not much of a movie person but I do enjoy Emma Thmpson and Alan Rickman in thet version.
Kids and manners, I’m glad your Lil one still use them, my 15 year old not so much I’d be shocked if he did lol
I haven’t seen the Keira Knightley version. The Colin Firth one is quite good. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books. Mansfield Park is great, too. I’ve always meant to read the rest of her work but for some reason haven’t.
Here’s to hobbity goodness and hugging til you can’t breathe.
Reading this makes me really want to see those movies. I’ve never seen them before.
The Hobbit is actually a good book, even though the chapters are long. I’m not a big Lord of the Rings fan, but that one book was good.
The Hobbit is a classic. I just hope they don’t screw up the movie.
hmmm I haven’t seen any of those movies based on her work
@lanney - i actually really like Keira as an actress (and she looks less like an emaciated waif in period costumes). Pirates of the Caribbean- yummy! @distractedbyzombies - I didn’t like Mansfield Park as much, book or movie. but love her. @ItsAll_A_LoveWar - see them. if you like period stuff and romance. (which i do. duh) @godfatherofgreenbay - maybe a little girly? @Bricker59 - i didn’t read LOTR, but loved movies. decided i had to read The Hobbit before I’d be allowed to see it in the theater. I dreaded starting, but I’m actually enjoying it this time around. @xXxlovelylollipop - LLO has never begged me to read to her before. Spawn always liked it. Reading to them has always been one of my favorite things.
@promisesunshine - I loved her in Pirates, but she just seems wrong for that role. I suppose really I should watch it before I judge, though.
@lanney - well, watch it. i hope you don’t hate it. i think she was brilliant. very believable as elizabeth. it’s ok if you like the bbc version better.
@promisesunshine - I’m glad we can still be friends. : D
I love the reading aloud to family members! No matter how old they are. (Keep doing that!) That makes me smile soooooooooooooooo BIG! (I STILL like to be read aloud to!)
My youngest got me into reading Austen (years ago) and I’m so glad she did! I enjoy the books! And loved that version of the movie! Stories of love set in other times get my fantasy button pushed into high gear.
HUGS for you and some for Littleloudone!
PS…could he warm his cold hands on your ahem…er…a…backside?
That is very cool that your family makes reading such an activity that you read together while cooking. So romantic, I’m jealous. Sigh.
I’ve watched a bunch of the Jane Austen PBS miniseries…I can’t remember which ones now. Probably more than one. I downloaded Pride & Prejudice for my Kindle (it’s free!) but I am ashamed to say I haven’t read it yet, as I am still slogging through The Man in the Iron Mask (determined to finish it…I think I’m 75% through…). I did read Pride & Prejudice and Zombies, though. Not sure if that counts, but it was interesting.
@leaflesstree - P & P and zombies absolutely counts! what a hoot that was. and very true to the original, by the way. you know, except for the zombies. i was going to read the counte of monte cristo. or something by dumass. i started it. some classics are just harder. LLO is the only one who can keep her nose OUT of a book. darn it. swear aliens brought her. @AdamsWomanFell - oh yea. love me some regency smut. P.S. Darcy can warm his hands wherever he wants to.
@promisesunshine - From what I remember of the miniseries/movies, the dialogue in the Zombies version seemed to be at times lifted directly from the original. And it was quite entertaining. I’ve considered reading Sense & Sensibility & Sea Monsters, but then they started putting monsters into everything and it seems ridiculous after a bit.
The problem with The Man in the Iron Mask is that it’s really a sequel to a sequel…I suppose I should have started with The Three Musketeers or something, because I have to admit I’m somewhat lost on certain plot points. But I’m determined to actually finish it, even if none of it sinks in!
@leaflesstree - yes, the dialogue is very true to the original. that’s what i meant. i didn’t read the sea monster one either.
That’s one of my absolute favorite movies. I love the older one too, but like you said…it can’t be watched all at once. It’s just too long!
You should read her the riddles and make her solve them before you go on. =P