"And to this purpose"

"If people like to read their books, it is all very well, but to be at so much trouble in filling great volumes, which, as I used to think, nobody would willingly ever look into, to be labouring only for the torment of little boys and girls, always struck me as a hard fate; and though I know it is all very right and necessary, I have often wondered at the person's courage that could sit down on purpose to do it." (In other words: rambling analyses, opinions, ideas, views, and comments from an English major, Essay/paper-writing enthusiastic, Austen-loving Master Librarian on, well, Jane Austen...and a whole lot of other things, too.)

"Celebrated Passages are Quoted"

Heidi's favorite quotes


"What is it really like to be engaged?" asked Anne curiously. "Well, that all depends on who you're engaged to," answered Diana, with that maddening air of superior wisdom always assumed by those who are engaged over those who are not."— L.M. Montgomery

Saturday, September 5, 2009

SaraLyn & Heidi Movie Discussion - Continued

I read all of your comment--and loved it! You know you can't ever bore me, or ever talk enough. Plus compared to all that I write, I think your comments are just right in length. :-) As you can see, my response was so long, I felt I should just put it into a new post.

OK, OK, I do like the MP carriage scene. But if you've ever seen the version with the guy from Chariots of Fire, I thought the girl played a good Fanny. She was never meant to be a Lizzie, Anne, or anything. Just a good girl who knew her heart and what was proper. And people says she's spineless, but she stands up to everyone in defense of her own heart which she still has to keep secret! There's strength there, if muted. I love that old version now because of who plays Fanny. If you see it, you'll know why. And I think you'd laugh, too! As for the new version? Only seen it once. Not enough to truly form an opinion.

I am the same way about movies, only my analogy was dog poo in the brownies. I tend to go back and forth, but it always depends on the movie. The whole gleaning what I can. It also relates to how I don't go by ratings. I don't need the world telling me what is good and what is not. I can discern for myself. The movie Glory--case and point. We should talk more about movies. I think we'd have similar views as we do with books. :-)

I could bring "Under..." I just have to get it from Netflix. So...there is a possibility for Thanksgiving?!

I think that's what bothered me about the 07 Persuasion--not being too close to the book. Especially the Letter Scene! I'm partial to how it was done in the '95, and that would have been amazing with the 07 Wentworth. But I don't know why, I'm just very happy with Amanda Root as Anne. Sally wasn't bad, but I just loved Amanda. Must have been something in relating to her during the college days.

In reference to the movies you haven't seen:

Little Dorrit 2008 - I'm on the last 1.5 episodes of it and I have really, really loved it. I think you'll very much enjoy it. It’s typical Dickens – mystery and intrigue everywhere, and everybody is connected to everybody else.

Under the Greenwood Tree 2005 – we’ll take care of that. :-)

Bleak House 2005 – Gillian Anderson did an excellent job. Follows the book pretty well, too. Might be a little boring, but I don't know. One thing I love about Dickens is all the connections he makes between characters. This one is full of them.

North and South 2004 – it’s a little slower. And not the greatest ever. But if you take the intellectual take (north society vs. south society, and all the politicalness to it), then you’ll get more out of it.

Master and Commander 2003 – Gory! I think you’re fine without. Maybe read the book instead, though I haven’t ventured there myself.

The Young Visiters – just saw this one this week. Based on a book written by an 8 year old. Interesting and odd. Hilarious if you want to laugh at Jim Broadbent—he did a good job. I was furious with Hugh Laurie, though.

Daniel Deronda 2002 – I’m not sure if you’d really like this one.

The Way We Live Now 2001 – I liked this one because Moaning Myrtle is in it, and her character is quite interesting to watch evolve. The love story I was rooting for, well, I was still a bit upset with the hero of it. And I HATED Matthew MacFayden!

Great Expectations 1999 – Ioan Gruffudd as Pip? Of course! Plus, I like Justine Waddell.

Tess of the D'ubervilles 1998 – I will find you the river scene, and that is all you need see of this movie. I saw the last ¾ of the movie as a junior in high school and was mesmerized. Please note—I hadn’t even seen the ’95 P&P yet! This was one of my first British dramas, and I couldn’t tear myself away. Ja. was also reading it for school, so I had him tell me of the book so I could compare. Interesting. I just learned there is a new version, and I’m intrigued. But, yeah, WAY too depressing (it is Hardy!) and I don’t think you’d like it at all.

Our Mutual Friend 1998 – you. will. love. it.

The Woman in White 1997 – Justine Waddell again. And the woman who plays what’s her name in “Tenant.” I can’t wait to read the book! The music to the musical isn’t bad. That’s where I first heard about it.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall 1996 – I’ll have to bring this along, too, if I come down.

Middlemarch 1994 – You might like it. But I could see you doing the same thing as me: thinking how stupid so many people are being!

Remains of the Day 1993 – Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. It’s a thoughtful story, and no, doesn’t end the way everyone would want it to. It’s classic if anything so you can have a great laugh in the new Sabrina when he says “You’ve been watching Remains of the Day again.” Love it!

Wuthering Heights 1992 – I hate this story, too, and don’t feel to ever read the book. But this one was like Jane Eyre. Somehow I grew up watching all kinds of movie versions of it. Maybe because I was waiting to see one that would make me like the story. With Jane Eyre, I’d at least read the book—and no movie did it justice until 07. Wuthering Heights I didn’t want to read it, and after 3 versions I realized it was just going to be wretched no matter what. But Ralph played a good-looking, devious Heathcliff. And the scenery was pretty. But, yes, don’t bother.

Oliver! 1968 – I’m actually surprised you haven’t seen the musical! I grew up with it, and you know how those an be for nostalgia. The music is great. I have a tape of it that I would always listen to it while cleaning the bathroom during my college days. How can you not enjoy cleaning while singing "I'd do anyfing for you, dear, anyfing!" and "Who will buy this wonderful morning?" Love it!

3 comments:

Sara Lyn said...

Sara Lyn's Response, Cont'd...

Okay, must watch MP with Nicholas Farrell and see if I like that Fanny too.

Concerning Thanksgiving--I'll write you an email.

I agree. Persuasion 2007 totally messed up the letter scene. Amanda did a fantastic job, I agree. Maybe I could get over Ciarin Hinds... Maybe not.

I'm interested in Little Dorrit. Of course "Under..." Bleak House when I'm in the mood for nothing else. I love Jim Broadbent, so I'd like to see Young Visitors. I'm not interested in seeing Great Expectations normally, but Ioan Gruffudd as Pip? Okay. You talked me into it. I'll watch the river scene from Tess. Glad you didn't recommend it or I might have made myself suffer through it once. Can't wait for Our Mutual Friend. What's The Woman in White about? CAN'T WAIT for Tenant... I'm interested in what you think of the book. I just checked out Agnes Grey. (Also by Anne B.) The book took me awhile to get into, but once I did, it was hard to put it down. It's a much more adult book than Jane Eyre. (Harder themes.) You'll see. Dad said the same thing about Middlemarch as you did. (He listened to the book.) Called it the first soap opera. :) Remains of the Day would be enjoyable just for Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson if I'm ever in the mood for a stupid ending. (I hate sad endings!!! I agree with Charles Darwin. A book should end happily.) I know it's a shock that I haven't seen Oliver!. You're not the first to tell me. Someday I might get around to it. Maybe when I have kids.

Thanks for writing such a great response!!!

ldsjaneite said...

I'm not sure if you'll like that Fanny. But she's pretty close to the book in my opinion.

The Woman in White is a Wilkie Collins' ghost story of sorts. Two sisters. A young man comes to tutor them in art, but on his way he meets a woman in white who begs for his help. When he meets the sisters, he notices that the younger one Laura looks like the woman in white. And there's the evil guy after Laura's money, which he'll only get in a marriage that she doesn't want. In the meantime, art tutor loves Laura, Laura loves him back. But older sister also loves him. And sisters have no say in whom Laura gets to marry. It then gets all complicated and involved, as we love our British dramas.

Here is the link to the Tess river scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gyMNEHLWdg
So, maybe he is not as cute as I remembered. But I was 16. It makes an impression on a girl's heart. Especially a smile like that. But he is just so....blind!

Anonymous said...

I love that you are all over Austen. You will henceforth be my go to girl when it comes to her.

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http://misfitsalon.blogspot.com/