gcweaver Reviews

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

This will bewitch you body and soul

[10/10 · 23 November 2005]

First of all, let me say up front, that I am not a real movie critic. I LOVED IT! YES, it was an abridged version. They cut here and there, but for a FEATURE FILM, it was more than tolerable (said with a Darcy accent). In fact, it was BEAUTIFUL. The cinematography was exquisite. The dancing and lighting were lovely. The camera angles were clever. The mood shots were inspiring.

Not to mention, I thought Keira Knightly was a LOVELY Elizabeth Bennet! I loved her scenes with Donald Sutherland. I have been looking forward to him playing Mr. Bennet since I first heard of the project about 1 1/2 years ago. He was great at the part.

In fact, I thought all the acting was well-done. The Darcy was no Colin Firth, but their on-screen chemistry was palpable, and I was caught up in the splendor of Austen's world ONCE more in this new version.

Bottom line is that nothing will compare to the Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle version; but this new installment isn't a mini-series. So, for a feature film and taken as a feature film, it does Austen proud.

IMHO

Now, I start my Thanksgiving weekend in perfect felicity for the movie has "bewitched me body and soul."

What a Girl Wants (2003)

I loved it!

[9/10 · 31 May 2005]

I don't care what anyone says. This is a charming film about a father and daughter. It is charming, funny, and well-acted. Colin Firth is amazing in any role that he plays. The singing by the young man who is Daphne's love interest is amazing. He did a respectable James Brown! Kelly Preston is amazingly beautiful, and the chemistry between she and Colin Firth is palpable. It is a great "feel good" movie no matter what your age! It is a great boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy seeks out girl, and they all live happily every after kind of film. The twist is that the "boy-girl" relationship is between a father and his daughter. That is what is so beautiful. I found the connection enchanting.

The Portrait of a Lady (1968– )

Not what I expected

[6/10 · 29 January 2005]

I just finished this novel last month, and I was expecting BBC to stay very close to the novel. While it played through most of the novel, it left out a KEY scene between two characters that really MAKES the novel and would have MADE the movie. So, I was a bit disappointed.

I did think Richard Chamberlain made a wonderful Ralph. He was so very lovable. I also thought the actress who played Mdme Merle was excellent. Isabel's voice was a bit annoying, but I got used to it with time. She was a beautiful woman. The man cast as Osmond was disappointing to me. I thought John Malkovich in the newer version was much better (almost TOO evil though).

The movie was also incredibly slow. I got through it, and it did move me in the end (Although the ends too abruptly, in my humble opinion. It leaves out too much at the end!); but I think I like the newer version much better.