I absolutley loved the movie! It was absolutley amazing. It was ten times better than the book. I struggled reading the book because I was bored by the characters and was disappointed in Henry's character. But in the movie I loved Henry and Fanny. Of course I was disappointed in her final dission in the matter of love but the movie was amazzzzzing
shareWell, you join about 200 years worth of critics, starting with Jane Austen's mother and continuing through to Patricia Rozema and beyond in disliking the moral tone in general and Fanny's character in specific. I am part of a five person (at most, I think) group in the entire world (perhaps an exaggeration, but I only know of five) who likes the book and Fanny. Having just seen this film last weekend, I finally can say from experience - what a piece of garbazh. However, I liked the music and cinemaphotography (classic line from those who hated the movie).
shareI didn't read the book. But i think the movie was realy good.
It is a good portrait of life in that age.
I like the scene whith the drawings from the oldest son.
It shows how horrible slavery was (and is).
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I actually know of a few academic readers who liked the film. Dr. Claudia L. Johnson, a feminist critic whose work had great influence on Rozema (she wrote the introduction to the published screenplay, wrote a rave review of the film, and is mentioned in the director's audio commentary) seems to love the film, but as you say, it is because of its ideology, not because it tries be faithful to Austen's text or even her spirit. As you point out so well, Fanny's struggle is very gripping and relevant, and no added subplots are needed beyond what Austen wrote originally. Does anyone who saw the film without reading the book understand the horse? The play? The Ball? Anything that Austen was trying to say? Why would you make a film that has nothing to do with the book on which you base it? I have a sneaking susicion it is a lack of original talent which drives people to such awful deeds. This film is truly terrible. As another of Austen's characters once said: "Badly done."
shareIt is truly mindboggling in many ways! The names and events of the Austen novel are there and can many times as you rightly say, not be understood except from reading the book! yet there they are as if true Austen fans will be so relieved by the references and familiarity. For instance the name Grant is dropped once in a while but never explained. Mary ONCE mentions Everingham as if everyone should know what she is referring to. etc etc.
Well that said I feel an urge to tell my experience with this movie. I had just read the book before the movie came out. I believe it was one of the last Austen books I had to get through. I hated the movie at that time. yes partly because Fanny looked like a workmate I didn't like, but I am human after all.
Then I watched it again about 6 months ago. The same feelings came up in most respects- what a travesty to Jane's moral and beautiful tale. However I also found a stunning crush on Edmund (my second favorite jane hero) that helped me stomach the movie as I hadn't before. I think Mary and Henry are very close to the book also Lady Bertram, Sir Thomas, Aunt Norris and the Prices are almost right. Fanny though is SO wrong! The problem finally came to me today more than before, when I noticed at the beginning how the movie was based on both MP and Jane's letters and early works. Indeed at the beginning Fanny is reading from Jane's little history pamphlet she wrote. *So Rozema was trying to MELD the personalities of Jane and Fanny together- make her moral but a witty writer too. And that is ludicrous!!!* Fanny I can like as she is; she does not need to be made into a smart aleck. I now see too that is why she accepts henry at Portsmouth only to turn him down the next day- Jane did that herself with Harris Bigg Wither you see.
Ok the one thing I do like about the movie more than the book: I like seeing Edmund have some developing feelings for Fanny. It is sweet and romantic and I fall for it big time. But I don't like how Henry actually guesses that she loves Edmund- that is ridiculous. I also miss poor William Price! I would like him I think. And I don't like how they make Sir Thomas seem to be forcing her to marry henry when it is not like that in the book at all. He tells Maria she doesn't have to marry Rushworth and then seems to force Fanny into marriage?! Ridiculous. I am undecided about the slavery I guess. It is mentioned in the novel some- and the sex/affair of course is right from the book. I guess honestly if not for such a fetching Edmund I would not have a copy of this movie. And I conclude by saying mixing Jane herself with Fanny was a very stupid thing to do. Thank you for letting me get this off my chest.
We're here; we're clear; we don't want anymore bears!
I am an Austen fan who enjoyed this movie immensely.
I do concede that the creators of this movie didn't stay true to Jane Austen's novel of the same name. But there is nothing wrong with creating a film inspired by a novel but putting personal perspective into it.
If viewers would judge the film's story on it's original aspects not compare it to the novel some may develop a very different opinion.
I felt the movie still had a strong Jane Austen expression to it in that the story focused upon each characters' morals, faults, views, etc. The story expressed social interaction of the time and social issues which also gave it an Austen feeling.
I understand why many fans of Jane Austen would be very dissapointed. But it was not the creators' intent to make a copy of Jane Austen's "Mansfield Park" on film. It was to make an INTERPRETATION of the general story and incorporate Jane Austen herself into Fanny's character. I believe that to be very creative.
Thanxs for letting me share.
" I and Velma ain't dumb! "
I actually liked both although «Mansfiel Park» isn't my favourite Jane Austen book, the movie is one of my favourite, the cinematography is beautiful as well as some of the dialogues. And as pointed out by classics4me I liked that there's some Jane Austen in Fanny.
shareI read the book just before watching the movie, and it is true that it is overall an ill adaptation of the book, keeping only the names of the characters. Fanny is much (much) more demure in the book, never failing her judgement, and certainly not because "she is afraid of poverty", which is the reason why she accepted Henry first. I liked the book and find it a pity not to see it revived in the movie.
shareComparing a movie to a book... you are retarded. How can you possibly compare two different types of art? Pehaps you have poor reading skills and need to have a story acted out in front of you.
shareWooooaa! Calm down!!
Whether or not you are addressing me, there is no need to be so offensive.
I understand your opinion, but you could have put it more kindly.
“I and Velma ain’t dumb!”
Using the "r word" is nearly as offensive as using the "n word". I strongly suggest you reconsider your vocabulary!
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