Pride and Prejudice

What was once a book is now a coveted tele-series. Oh yes ! I saw the Keira Knightly movie first, and before that the Gurinder Chadda version Bride and Prejudice. But the best by far is the 1995 BBC teleserial version starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. Jennifer has bright eyes, a straight nose and a rosebud mouth. Right off, she didnt seem to me an ideal choice for Elizabeth Bennett, but a few scenes down the line, I could see why she was so pat. She is a good actress and her expressions make Elizabeth come alive. Ditto for Colin Firth. His regal demeanour suits Darcy to a T.

This series was the most faithful adaptation I have seen, and it sure makes the book come alive. Alas, I missed the first episode which was quite a chunk, as Zee Studio was airing it in a two-hours, which was two episodes back to back. Maybe I will get lucky during a re-run. I have seen parts of it on youtube, but it is not the same as seeing it in one go.

When I started out, Elizabeth was sweet on Wickham and the Bingleys had just ditched Jane and Charlotte had just married Mr. Collins. I was already in the thick of things, not that Janey's novel ever flags. But all the beloved and big scenes were just as I imagined them. Elizabeth's face off with Lady Catherine, the smarmy Mr. Collins, the patient Charlotte who has married him just to be able to have her own household. And the best scene... the left handed proposal of marriage by Darcy, that just angers Elizbeth.

How things change thereafter, with Darcy determined to improve himself, Elizabeth realising that Darcy is a sweetheart after all, Lydia's fall, Jane's reunion with Bingley etc.. all were very edifying. I loved the treatment given to Mrs. Bennett and her sister Mrs. Philips. The gossipy twosome ! I loved the way Alison Steadman played Mrs. Bennett, with all the silly affectations and tantrums, it was simply precious.

All the actors, big and small played their parts to perfection.

The dresses and the bonnets the girls wore were so pretty. Though Elizabeths coloured bodices with white skirts seemed too simple at times. A couple of times the girls wore a flowered bodice with striped skirts and the effect was amazing. The hats and shoes all look lovely, and I liked the hairdo, curls framing the face and the rest of the hair pulled back.

The series was all that was promised to be. Something I can see again and again and again.

I want to dip my pen

I want to dip
my pen in the blood
of your heart
and write a poem,

A poem that talks
of love and life
and hopes and fears
and tears and smiles,

With the daring of Keats,
the sweetness of an ancient ditty,
the wit of Shakespere
and the music of Marlowe,

Clear as a mirror,
true as a picture,
fresh as a stream
and deep as an ocean.

An Award !

http://bedazzledeternally.blogspot.com/2008/12/danke-peoples.html

Thats Bedazzled of the dazzling prose. She has given me this lovely looking award.

http://towriteornot.blogspot.com/

That is my trusted friend WIAN who writes so beautifully that I cringe in envy every time I read something by her. She gave me this award too.

http://phoenixnme.blogspot.com/

This is Angel's Flight, whose cheeky prose keeps me in splits.

Girls, I love you, muah !


I am supposed to pass this on to 7 people. I pass it on to all on my blogroll.

TV Guide for a lazy evening

It is hard to find entertainment when you are really looking for it. Not really in a mood to go out after a tiring day, the only option is the television remote. It is not a mystery why the nation is so hooked to the various saas-bahu or other soaps. That is easy entertainment delivered to your doorstep, and it is easy to get hooked on to something trivial when there is no alternative.

I am not hooked on to any particular serial. Only stuff on Star World or Zee Cafe. Usually it is Friends, followed by Seinfeld, followed by Whose line is it anyway. I try to catch How I met your Mother, Ugly Betty, That 70s Show. I really really want to see BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice on Zee Cafe but I missed the first episode because I forgot and it is aired pretty late (by my standards) 10.30 pm.

I miss 3rd Rock from the Sun which was such a funny serial. I like Gilmore Girls too. GG is about Lorelai Gilmore who got knocked up when she was sixteen. She left her rich parents, went out into the big bad world to have the baby on her own and do things her own way. At the moment her daughter Rory is 16, which makes her 32. She is now a manager at some Inn and continues to live in Stars Hollow in Connecticut, where she grew up. The series is about parenting, lost opportunities, looking for love and bonding. It is warm and funny. I wont say its the best ever, but its very watchable. Way better than Desperate Housewives, where you just say Oh Come On every 5 mins. GG reminds me of my times with my daughter. I tell you its sheer heaven to have a girl of your own.

I was just through with watching Gilmore Girls when Sex and the City started. I dont always like it, but I like Samantha in this. Plus the fashions are good on this show. So its fun looking at Carrie's hair, Samatha's clothes, Miranda's drink and Charlotte's smile. Plus the guys are really really hot on this show. Somehow, Carrie lands up with all these tall, huge, hunks who seem to suit Samantha better. But, like the heros of Jane Austen novels, these guys are really mouthwatering.