Pride and Prejudice vs. Tangled

[minion]

^^

Well, I’m in RCIA, so I’m thinking about religion a lot more than I’m used to.

And, I just finished watching the Pride and Prejudice tv series (with Colin Firth), and it just hit me it is unlikely any of the characters are Catholic, and during the one instance of someone religious was being portrayed (Mr. Collins), it was in a negative manner.

edit: oh, and Mary Bennet, whom Austen treats somewhat negatively, too

 

[PHSshamrock]

^^

Well, I’m in RCIA, so I’m thinking about religion a lot more than I’m used to.

And, I just finished watching the Pride and Prejudice tv series (with Colin Firth), and it just hit me it is unlikely any of the characters are Catholic, and during the one instance of someone religious was being portrayed (Mr. Collins), it was in a negative manner.

edit: oh, and Mary Bennet, whom Austen treats somewhat negatively, too

It portrays love… God is love. Not to mention it is quality literature that should be appreciated for its excellence. There’s no reason why a Catholic shouldn’t love Pride and Prejudice simply because it is set in Anglican England.

 

[LilyM]

^^

Well, I’m in RCIA, so I’m thinking about religion a lot more than I’m used to.

And, I just finished watching the Pride and Prejudice tv series (with Colin Firth), and it just hit me it is unlikely any of the characters are Catholic, and during the one instance of someone religious was being portrayed (Mr. Collins), it was in a negative manner.

edit: oh, and Mary Bennet, whom Austen treats somewhat negatively, too

I don’t think she was anti-religion at all. Edmund Bertram, the hero of her novel ‘Mansfield Park’, was also a clergyman, and she is not in the least disparaging about him.

She was anti stupid people - which Collins is - and pokes fun at him for being more interested in sucking up to his social betters (eg Lady Catherine) than actually doing his job. There is a sarcastic comment about his ‘very kind intention of burying and marrying his parishioners when required’, as he seems to expect praise for simply doing his duties as a clergyman.

 

[AlTheCollegeGal]

For mine Colin Firth all the way - Mr McFadyen was a bit too, I don’t know, kinda soft? Not so arrogant and standoffish as I imagine Mr Darcy.

But I much preferred Keira Knightley as Lizzy. Looked and acted the part to a T.

Hi Lily! I must confess, I saw the 2005 version first, and every actor fit my imagination perfectly, I thought the Bingley siblings were straight out of my head, they were perfect in their roles! I tried to watch the BBC version, and (I really, really hate to say it, as I’m a big P&P fan) I wasn’t overly pleased with any of the actors except Firth. Plus, the Mrs. Bennet in the 2005 version was just so much funnier than the one in BBC! I guess what I’m trying to say is that the 2005 version I felt nailed all of the characters, and all of the actors/actresses did such a convincing job, that although MacFadyen was more shy than haughty, by the end, I was rooting for him all the way. I just love when Knightley, as Elizabeth lists all of the reasons that she would not marry him, and his look is so stunned that for a moment, you see the human side to Darcy.

 

[jilly4ski]

Hi Lily! I must confess, I saw the 2005 version first, and every actor fit my imagination perfectly, I thought the Bingley siblings were straight out of my head, they were perfect in their roles! I tried to watch the BBC version, and (I really, really hate to say it, as I’m a big P&P fan) I wasn’t overly pleased with any of the actors except Firth. Plus, the Mrs. Bennet in the 2005 version was just so much funnier than the one in BBC! I guess what I’m trying to say is that the 2005 version I felt nailed all of the characters, and all of the actors/actresses did such a convincing job, that although MacFadyen was more shy than haughty, by the end, I was rooting for him all the way. I just love when Knightley, as Elizabeth lists all of the reasons that she would not marry him, and his look is so stunned that for a moment, you see the human side to Darcy.

See I thought they got the Mr. and Mrs. Bennets all wrong in the 2005 film. I thought both the father and mother were funnier and truer to character in the BBC version than the 2005 film. Mr. Bennet was forever in his book room, not hanging out in the barn. And he delivers his witty and somewhat mean comments in perfect stride.

I also agree with the Darcy opinions, Firth was the much better Darcy. Oh and the De Bourghs were perfect in the BBC version. The only characters I don’t like in the BBC version is Jane and…hmm, I like Elizabeth, I like how the actress plays her, but her physicality is a little off, from what I imagined. (though there is nothing very explicit in the books). I like Knightly too, though she plays her more moody and emotional that cool and witty. Obviously not completely and I would have to watch the newer version again. Cause it has been awhile.

 

[AlTheCollegeGal]

See I thought they got the Mr. and Mrs. Bennets all wrong in the 2005 film. I thought both the father and mother were funnier and truer to character in the BBC version than the 2005 film. Mr. Bennet was forever in his book room, not hanging out in the barn. And he delivers his witty and somewhat mean comments in perfect stride.

I also agree with the Darcy opinions, Firth was the much better Darcy. Oh and the De Bourghs were perfect in the BBC version. The only characters I don’t like in the BBC version is Jane and…hmm, I like Elizabeth, I like how the actress plays her, but her physicality is a little off, from what I imagined. (though there is nothing very explicit in the books). I like Knightly too, though she plays her more moody and emotional that cool and witty. Obviously not completely and I would have to watch the newer version again. Cause it has been awhile.

I have to say, I was most disappointed with the Mrs. Bennet in the BBC version, I thought the actress was trying too hard to appear ridiculous, whereas in the 2005 version, that wonderful actress was inherently ridiculous! Also, I have to say, the Mr. Collins in the 2005 version makes me laugh incredibly hard every time he comes into the picture, he is just so… awesome in his awkward way. “What excellent boiled potatoes…” I really think that the Darcy thing is a matter of opinion. I think Darcy is different in each reader’s head, and for me, I just really pictured Darcy as more awkward and shy than arrogant, unused to being laughed at, proud, yet capable of tenderness, which is why I absolutely loved MacFadyen. Also, there’s that scene when he’s dancing with Elizabeth, and it is almost as though they are dancing by themselves; the looks in their eyes were well done.

 

[LilyM]

I have to say, I was most disappointed with the Mrs. Bennet in the BBC version, I thought the actress was trying too hard to appear ridiculous, whereas in the 2005 version, that wonderful actress was inherently ridiculous! Also, I have to say, the Mr. Collins in the 2005 version makes me laugh incredibly hard every time he comes into the picture, he is just so… awesome in his awkward way. “What excellent boiled potatoes…” I really think that the Darcy thing is a matter of opinion. I think Darcy is different in each reader’s head, and for me, I just really pictured Darcy as more awkward and shy than arrogant, unused to being laughed at, proud, yet capable of tenderness, which is why I absolutely loved MacFadyen. Also, there’s that scene when he’s dancing with Elizabeth, and it is almost as though they are dancing by themselves; the looks in their eyes were well done.

Have you read the book? The first time they meet Darcy says - basically right in front of Elizabeth and knowing that she is there - that it would be a pain for him to dance with any of the girls but Jane. And then when he does dance with Lizzy it is only because he is forced into it. And she basically has to force him to talk to her while they are dancing. They’d hardly be making googoo eyes at each other under the circumstances.

 

[Sarabande]

Which do you prefer “Pride and Prejudice” (the book, or any movie version) or Disney’s “Tangled”?

Can’t compare the two. I like watching “Tangled” with my 3-year-old daughter, who loves it. It is a sweet movie and with a moving ending (as cartoons go).

But if I had to compare, as a Jane Austen fan who has read all of her novels, I would definitely say “Pride and Prejudice”. Lizzie Bennett is one of my favorite characters. I’ve seen many movie/tv versions of “P&P” and my favorite, by far, is the one with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. I thought the acting was superb and the characters acting all matched what I pictured in my head when I read the novel. I especially loved the actor who played Mr. Bennett. I liked how Jane was portrayed, although I didn’t think her looks matched. Jane was supposed to be beautiful. Rosaline Pike - the Jane from the 2005 movie - I think matched that and I think she played it well, too. I liked both actresses who played Mrs. Bennett. One took it more like stage acting and the other movie acting and I thought both did a good job, although I did prefer the 1995 version more. Donald Sutherland was good, but he didn’t deliver the lines as I pictured when I read the novel. I love Matthew McFayden (especially loved him in “Little Dorrit”), but I preferred Colin Firth to him as Mr. Darcy. I’m not a huge fan of Keira Knightley’s acting and I don’t think she gives enough layers and depth to her characters (although she does make for a pretty face on the screen and she was the right age of Lizzie. I believe Ehle was 26 when she made the movie and I really liked the chemistry and repartee between she and Firth), so I wasn’t too crazy about Knightley’s portrayal of Elizabeth. It wasn’t bad and I wouldn’t say the movie wasn’t enjoyable, but it didn’t really give enough… at least for me. I liked both actors who played Mr. Collins. Tom Hollander (2005 version) is a great actor. He’s wonderful as Osborne Hamley in “Wives and Daughters” (another favorite of mine) and he did his own version of Mr. Collins very well. David Bamber did such a great job of showing the character for who he was by employing strange facial idiosynchrosies.

Also, what I like about the Firth/Ehle 1995 version is that it wasn’t abridged. So much of it was straight from the book.

 

[AlTheCollegeGal]

Have you read the book? The first time they meet Darcy says - basically right in front of Elizabeth and knowing that she is there - that it would be a pain for him to dance with any of the girls but Jane. And then when he does dance with Lizzy it is only because he is forced into it. And she basically has to force him to talk to her while they are dancing. They’d hardly be making googoo eyes at each other under the circumstances.

Yes, I have read the book many, many times. I am not actually talking about the first dance wherein Darcy snubs Elizabeth, but the dance at Netherfield hosted by Mr. Bingley. I am not talking about the “googoo eyes” as you so eloquently put it, but there is something in their eyes in the 2005 movie which hints at some spark, whether it be in anger or not. Basically, it all comes down to which interpretation a reader likes best, and I have to say, I think I will always prefer the 2005 version.

 

[TheKingdomOfGod]

I prefer ‘Pride and Prejudice’. I saw ‘Tangled’ and found it a disappointing animation despite some touching and entertaining moments.

 

[Kamaduck]

Tangled was good. Not arguing there.

But Pride and Prejudice? It’s a masterpiece. No contest, really.