After watching so many horror films in the last few months, I find myself wanting something a little more comforting. My mind automatically goes to some of my favourite films, most of which are adaptations of Jane Austen novels. This week, I ended up binge watching a few.
With her works having been studied for almost as long as they have been in print, Jane Austen's novels about relationships and social expectations remain as relevant now as they were when she first wrote them, nearly 300 years ago in the early 1800's. Over the last few decades, I have talked about her novels and movies on my old blogs, even doing a few recipes inspired by them. (Clueless tea, Bridget Jones's Diary fruitcake, Jane Austen Book Club apricot jam, banana bread and tea biscuits) I've even talked about the fashion of the Clueless adaptation.
So what do I consider to be some of the better modern adaptations of her stories? Jane Austen Book Club (a remake of all 6 of her completed novels.), Clueless (a remake of Emma), Bridget Jones's Diary (a remake of Pride and Prejudice) are probably the best in my personal opinion. All three are great introductions for anyone who isn't sure they would actually like a period piece. Hell, Twilight can even be tossed in there given it's a loose retelling of Pride and Prejudice. But for me, Jane Austen Book Club, is head and shoulders above other 'modern' remakes. In part because it does cover all six of the main novels- Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion.
Persuasion has always been one of my favourite stories, and the 2007 movie version being my favourite version of the films. So when I learned that Netflix Canada had a new original take on it, I had to watch it. But, before I could settle into the 2023 made for streaming version, I was bombarded by reviews. Almost all of which were negative. I usually try to stay away from reviews and even sometimes trailer; before watching a movie these days. As too much is given away with too many opinions attached. Hard to do given the way trailers are cut these days and everyone seems to have an instant review less than an hour after something has been released. So what did I think of this version? I thought it was good enough. Would I have handled it slightly differently? Of course. I think I would have kept Richard E. Grant, but recast most of the actors. And, I have to say the breaking of the fourth wall in this was unnecessary. It took from it and gave nothing in return.
One of the things I loved about Jane Austen Book Club, was that they reversed the age roles between the characters representing Emma and Mr. Knightly. In the original version, Jane Austen has it written in it's typical to be expected manner of the man being much older than the woman. Here, in JABC, we have the character representing Emma as being in her 40's and Mr. Knightly being in his early 30's. One modern twist that works seamlessly.
The characters representing Sense and Sensibility, are changed in the fact they are mother and daughter, and the daughter who's character represents Maryanne, is gay. Clueless also made a main character; the character representing Mr. Churchill, a gay character. Sometimes something as small as that can make or break an adaptation. In both these films, it works without trying too hard to be making any kind of point. It just is. In the case of Clueless, it actually changes the story arch of the Churchill character, removing any element of him being the bad guy. As for the original Emma, it doesn't have the overly overt bad guy compared to other Austen novels. Mr. Churchill is probably the most likeable of the Austen 'villains' to begin with.
Jane Austen's works, have become such a main stay in pop culture, that a couple of her novels were part of the big horror crossover in the 2000's; with the books Pride/Prejudice and Zombies as well as Sense/Sensibility and Sea Monsters popping up. P/P/Z was even made into a movie. Though the horror crossovers worked as novels, the sub-genre didn't translate as well into feature films. P/P/Z lost the wit and charm it had as a comedic novel when it was made into a straight up horror-action film.
It's clear in most of Jane Austen's works, that there is a formula to be had. Our lead female is introduced to a suitor who at first looks to be a catch, then we're introduced to a second suitor who seems less likely; it's up to the reader to figure out which is the eventual leading man/hero and which is the villain. All the while, dropping tidbits of information as to the true intentions of each through the course of gossip and interference from others, who also have their eye on the suitors. This formula works to the point it's become the backbone of many romantic based movies. From the rom-coms that hit every trope to the Hallmark movie of the week, that in my mind tends to do the formula better. Speaking of Hallmark movies of the week, at the time I am writing this, I have just learned there will be four new made for television adaptations of Jane Austen in 2024 just in time for Valentine's Day. I may have to return to this topic after seeing those.
Commenti