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melp1981
Reviews
Charlotte Gray (2001)
Billy Crudup - practically perfect in every way
I know this is a serious board devoted to the merits of the movie... but I would like to just mention the fact that rarely does an actor have the effect on me that Billy Crudup did in this film. Oh my god what a beauty! Perfect in every way... And obviously extremely talented, made more perfect by his professional choices!
So, the film. Well, as a (some time ago) graduate of military history, with a particular interest in the sociological effects of war I have a special fondness for stories like this. I sought out the book and devoured it. I loved it, absolutely, as I do pretty much everything else by Sebastian Faulks. I also enjoyed this film immensely, but as a separate entity. A film is generally incapable of reaching the depths your imagination can take you to through reading a truly great book, maybe people should spend more time reading!
I don't agree with the mauling this film was given by the critics, it kept me engaged from beginning to end and the happy ending, although a little trite, is a smile worthy event!
Sod the dodgy Scottish, Kate Blanchet was believable as far as I'm concerned. Billy was perfect, as I think I might have mentioned! Michael Gambon - always worth watching and the chap that played the teacher was sufficiently creepy from first sight. The boys were sympathetic without being irritating child actors and the atmosphere was intimidating.
It was emotional without being over the top, the relationship between the leads was wonderfully portrayed and I feel it was a valuable description of the horrific situation of collaboration.
Not the best film I've ever seen but I definitely enjoyed it. And I'm not sure if you've noticed, and I don't like to bring it up, but Billy Crudup is a god among men.
Watch it with an open mind.
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
What a beautiful film
Negative comments about the absence of the wit of the novel as well as the lack of detail and explanation found in the Colin Firth depiction are understandable. This is a movie, constrained by time limits, I have yet to meet anyone who would happily sit in a cinema chair for the length of time it would take to fully explain and illustrate the titular 'Pride & Prejudice'. There are some stunning historical liberties, and the Hollywood ending on the DVD is a crime.
Having said that I enjoyed it immensely; both leads are very well played and the supporting cast is excellent, particularly Tom Hollander, as always. The tension between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy is palpable and believable. I have to say I did find the last scene between Mr Bennett and Elizabeth slightly cringe making and I am disappointed that Wickham, a character who serves as an interesting insight into both Darcy and Elizabeth was largely sidelined.
Matthew McFaddyn has both the sex appeal and aloofness necessary to pull off Mr Darcy and as someone who usually avoids Keira Knightely like the plague my fears of her destroying one of my favourite heroines was unfounded, she caught the knowing look and forthright nature of Elizabeth very well.
The real star however has to be the cinematography, who would want to reign in the person who created such a feast for the eyes? Who cares if the lighting is Hardyesque? This novel was set in a time when England was not besieged with cars and coaches and monstrous motorways and the director was quite right to show England and it's best. Am I wrong in thinking that both Hardy and Austen set their novels in the same country? The locations are as beautiful as the music they are set to and whoever came up with Stourhead as the location for the first proposal is a genius. Yes, the Peak District scene where Elizabeth stands on the rock looking out over the world is straight from Wuthering Heights, but in my mind it captured the emotion of the film.
This is a well meaning and entertaining film, not for the purists among us but film adaptations of classic novels rarely are... I sometimes think these people watch the movies solely for the pleasure of moaning about them.