Just before Hugh Grant enters the drawing room and is introduced to the Dashwood sisters, he is shown on horseback, riding to the estate. The style of riding in that very brief scene just does not seem congruent with Edward’s character. He rides with such flourish and swagger— very un-Edward-like imo. (Honestly, more like his brother, Robert, whom Nan describes in the novel as a “coxcomb.”)
shareI think I would disagree. Edward is shy but he's not completely clumsy and stupid. He actually may feel more at ease on a horse than anywhere else. He would still have been trained to horse ride and instructed on all sports as a gentleman.
I actually think, especially with his characterization in this movie, the brother would be more awkward on the horse because he is shown as very fake and arrogant. He would act like he knows what he's doing on the horse, but they would make him mounting one a comedic bit, I think.
I didn’t mean he isn’t a good horseman; just that there was a little too much enthusiasm and flair in his style, imo. We shall have to politely disagree. 🙂
shareI see what you mean...that he seemed so swaggering. But I still don't think that changes my opinion as, again, Edward would be riding the horse like any other man trained to right a horse. He's a rich sophisticated gentleman and would ride with an air as such. he is the definition of a dandy and didn't have any reason to not be excited to visit his sister and brother in law or to come riding in a particular way.
shareEdward a dandy? I disagree!
shareYou can disagree. I am not going to debate on what a dandy is or isn't as there are different opinions on what Dandy means and during which time and country. What I am trying to say is a man of Edward's means and status who has no job and no other occupation gets to spend his time dealing with fashion, playing sports and other playboy activities. He would have the confidence to ride a horse the way he rode one in that opening scene. I don't think it is uncharacteristic at all, especially in this particular version.
shareI think they hired the same stunt rider for Edward (arriving at Norland), Brandon (galloping off to get Mrs. Dashwood to Marianne’s dying bedside), and Willoughby (galloping away on hillside above the wedding scene).
shareYeah. I was just going to say that Edward rides soberly and with consideration for anyone around him, but his stunt man lives to ride!
share