I still haven't seen "Becoming Jane" (and at this point, probably won't), but I laughed hard at this "abridged" edition and the snarky pop-up comments. Down with La Hathaway! Video first seen on Austenblog.
Friday, September 14, 2007
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I did see the movie (because it's like a train wreck: you have to look) and must say that now you don't need to see it as that was an entirely accurate summary.
ReplyDeleteThe most appalling part of the movie for me was when Jane was taken to meet Ann Radcliffe for some newbie author advice and Mrs. Radcliffe asked "What is it you wish to write about?" And Jane replied breathlessly "Of the heart!" Holy jumping bejeebers.
HAH--smolder and walk in a circle at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThat was awesome.
The abridged version says it all! I too love (and agree with ) the snarky comments. The watch of the hemline is actually what i spent most of the film doing...that and exclaiming at inaccuracies. At the time is was an okay experience (it had James MacAvoy in it afterall)but the longer its been the more i find, and recall, the bad moments and my disappointment grows.
ReplyDeleteThank you for saving me from wasted time in a darkened theater.
ReplyDeleteThere's a whole rounder of Austen P and P fanfic at our local Borders. Does anyone want to read about the children of Darcy and Elizabeth? Boggles the mind,
Marilyn.
The Elizabeth Aston books aren't bad. They don't have that much to do with Austen's novels, though. But I found them good reads in themselves. It's funny, I shouldn't like them, I can pick them apart in a million ways, but I do anyway. :-)
ReplyDeleteWatching this clip, I figured out why I wasn't finding James McAvoy attractive here . . . The greasy bangs, the awkward bowl cut -- they gave him the exact same hair William Collins has in the 1995 A&E version! Ugh! If you like him too, you should Netflix "Starter for Ten," a charming little British movie about quiz bowl & college life that came out earlier this year.
ReplyDeleteAnd I used to write Austen fanfic in college, so I can't knock the desire to hear more about characters you love (though I've never liked any of the published Austen fanfic stuff as much as some of the stories I used to read on Pemberley.com and Austen.com). And frankly writing about their children *is* just using someone else's brand name to sell your own work. . . .
Perfect clip. :) It's too bad the movie wasn't better though.
ReplyDeleteOkay, at the risk of being sneered at :-) -- I kind of enjoyed the movie. I had to pretend it wasn't Jane Austen but just some other Jane chick who wanted to be a writer, and it still wasn't great AND I'm no Regency expert. . . But I like a nice bit of thwarted romance now and then, and I actually really did find James McAvoy hot in this -- for the first time, actually, having only previously seen him as a faun -- and I got a little guilty pleasure out of it. But then, I'm not strict about my Jane. I love the books. And then, in a whole other arena, I love the juicy, absurd world spawned by her books. I [heart] Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife. Laugh at me all you want!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, and I've seen Bride & Prejudice like three times ;-o !!!
ReplyDeleteThe cast agency made the first mistake of casting an American whose British accent makes her sound like she was high on helium. Then they cast a Cassandra that was totally different looking than Jane. It was painful trying to remember they were supposed to be sisters. I watched the movie, and there's a bad taste in my mouth from it. Thankfully, I was able to wash it down by watching the ITV production of Persuasion. If you've not seen the ITV production of it (or Northanger Abbey), I can show you where to find them online.
ReplyDeleteWould you characterize this movie a what you should not do in Historical Fiction or was this Nonfiction? I'm confused.
ReplyDeleteYour audience should be Regency fans who would be aware of simple things like a turn of a phrase or a wristwatch so who is this movie written to entertain? I do realize that they were trying to make Jane a women before her time, but to have so many kissing scenes without a chaperone takes the viewer from Regency into Modern world. That much action should have damaged Jane's reputation for life. Would marriage have been a must?
I am so sorry that they took a renowned writer and made her into a joke. Her books have had more shelf life then any Newbury or Caldecott. We should have honored her with her guts and ability to survive. Her passion flows strong through her devote readers who still study and adore her. She never needed a movie to show how great she is. Hollywood just needed to feel classy. Well it didn't work.
Cheryl! While we are on the topic of Fanfic... I'm pretty sure I'll be out your way for the SCBWI NY conference. I will buy you breakfast, lunch or dinner, double martinis, whatever it takes, if you will listen to me blather on about The Bee Keepers Apprentice.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
Ugh...someone pour me a restorative.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn, you're on! We need to get Rebecca here too (R. J. Anderson) and we can have a mini-Laurie King celebration.
ReplyDeleteHooyah! I'll be bringing my battered copy of Gaudy Night for a comparison/contrast.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn