It is a truth universally acknowledged that a girl in possession of a project, blog and twitter, must be in want of an audience.
A little introduction about me: I'm an English and Education double major at a small college in Missouri. I watched the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice when I was 12, read the classic book immediately after, and never looked back. Now you could say I'm simply obsessed with Jane Austen.
My hope for this blog is to share the genius of Jane Austen and to have fun while doing it.
So, to begin this blog correctly, let's talk about Jane Austen movie adaptations.
Since Valentine's Day is this next weekend, what better way to celebrate than to watch a Jane Austen adaptation? Whether it's with your significant other, or with your girlfriends, you just can't beat the wit and heart of Jane Austen and her characters.
Here are three suggestions for this weekend, in no particular order:
1. Pride and Prejudice (2005): This movie is beautiful, lush and intelligent. It's also under two hours. Fair warning, this movie did trigger my Jane Austen obsession. I may or may not have pretended I was Keira Knightley's Elizabeth Bennet for a couple of days afterward.
2. Emma, BBC miniseries (2010): This is by far the best adaptation of what I think of as Austen's most well written work. Romola Garai personifies silly yet clever Emma Woodhouse, and Jonny Lee Miller and Michael Gambon contribute strongly to this hilarious and fresh miniseries.
3. Persuasion (2007): This movie is vibrant, deep, and emotional. Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones capture the longing and heartache of lovers wanting a second chance. Have tissues ready for this one.
What other Jane Austen adaptations would you like to watch this coming weekend?
A little introduction about me: I'm an English and Education double major at a small college in Missouri. I watched the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice when I was 12, read the classic book immediately after, and never looked back. Now you could say I'm simply obsessed with Jane Austen.
My hope for this blog is to share the genius of Jane Austen and to have fun while doing it.
So, to begin this blog correctly, let's talk about Jane Austen movie adaptations.
Since Valentine's Day is this next weekend, what better way to celebrate than to watch a Jane Austen adaptation? Whether it's with your significant other, or with your girlfriends, you just can't beat the wit and heart of Jane Austen and her characters.
Here are three suggestions for this weekend, in no particular order:
1. Pride and Prejudice (2005): This movie is beautiful, lush and intelligent. It's also under two hours. Fair warning, this movie did trigger my Jane Austen obsession. I may or may not have pretended I was Keira Knightley's Elizabeth Bennet for a couple of days afterward.
2. Emma, BBC miniseries (2010): This is by far the best adaptation of what I think of as Austen's most well written work. Romola Garai personifies silly yet clever Emma Woodhouse, and Jonny Lee Miller and Michael Gambon contribute strongly to this hilarious and fresh miniseries.
3. Persuasion (2007): This movie is vibrant, deep, and emotional. Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones capture the longing and heartache of lovers wanting a second chance. Have tissues ready for this one.
What other Jane Austen adaptations would you like to watch this coming weekend?
The Emma miniseries is my absolute favorite! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful, and so quotable too. "Shipcourt?" lol
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading your blog! I'm reading my first Jane Austen novel, Mansfield Park, for a class this semester. Everyone I've told this too has given me a grave look, like I've just told them I've contracted some terrible illness. I have been enjoying the book, though. I don't know what I thought it would be like, but I've been surprised at how funny it is. Maybe I'll check one of these movies out (I've also never seen any of the adaptationa), although at this point I think I'll try to read the books first!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear it! One of the things that makes Austen my favorite is her scathing wit and humorous description; many people assume it'll be a melodramatic chick-lit novel. I would definitely read the books before watching the movies, especially Mansfield Park. I have yet to see a quality adaptation of that book; the few that I have seen have completely changed personalities of the characters, or left way too much out. It is an excellent novel though, and I'm happy that you are reading it!
DeleteI have watched the 2005 movie "Pride and Prejudice," twice, if not third times. I cannot help but love the general aura of the movie! The first time I watched it I was 17, and I have to say the delicate senses and feelings in that movie attracted a girl's heart badly!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the movie recommendations! I have to admit that I have not read any of her books...I know I'm a terrible excuse for an English enthusiast but romantic books do not leap to mind when I think of my favorite genres. Pride and Prejudice is on my reading list, so someday I will read it and then I will watch the movie.
ReplyDeleteFantastic blog post! So concise and descriptive; I feel like I'm reading a New York Times review of these movies! I, like Joseph, am also reading my first Austen novel (same novel, same class), but am actually struggling through it. I'm secretly hoping that you blog about "Mansfield" so I can use your thoughts as guidance! You've got me hooked, though, I definitely want to see these films!
ReplyDeleteOkay, so if you had to put them in a particular order, what would it be, and why?
ReplyDeleteI've seen Pride and Prejudice (2005) and the Emma movie with Gwyneth Paltrow but that is the extent of my exposure to Jane Austen. I will definitely add these to my list of things to watch.
ReplyDelete