I didn’t write much before (re: Part 1), so here goes… 

This was a VERY good adaptation of S&S, BUT it didn’t blow me away like Jane Eyre (2006) or North and South.  The music was very tasteful, and the locations were cool (very much “out of the box thinking” from the production team).  I felt that Hattie Morahan was a pitch-perfect Elinor: stately, sedate, serious, but very bright as well!  Her tall stature and classic Brit features also added to her fitting-in w/ JA’s world.  The girls’ everyday costumes were not as nice/elegant as in the Ang Lee version, but that didn’t bug me too much. 

Edward was VERY different from the book- no doubt to appeal to modern/younger viewers.  He was the best-looking guy in the entire film- LOL!  In the book, Edward barely even speaks b/c he’s so low-key.  In the film, Dan Stevens (the actor) is so sweet, engaging, and (later on) emotional.  He had VERY good chemistry with Hattie!  It was like love at first site in the film.

Marianne kinda grew on me; I liked her as she matured w/in the story.  In the start, she was like a modern teenager (wanted to be crazy in love, worried re: clothes, and acted w/o thinking).  She was good in the vulnerable scenes (w/ her big eyes, curls, and very small build).  If you think about it, she and Col. Brandon are the “perfect” pair…  He is wealthy, w/ an adventurous past, love of music, and a very romantic heart.  She is an accomplished musician, full of passion, w/ an independent spirit.  I liked how this film showed their courtship before the arrival of Willoughby.  “He’s the only one one can have an intelligent conversation with,” Marianne tells her mom and sisters in one scene.   

Of course, no one can replace the awesome job Alan Rickman did w/ Col. Brandon… BUT David Morrissey did a PRETTY good job here!  He thinks he’s too old, too heatbroken, and not handsome enough for Marianne (at first).  But he keeps an eye on her, as a very loyal friend, even when she’s head over heels for Willoughby.  I LOVE when he catches her as she faints in the London ball!  The little scene he had w/ Eliza’s daughter and her baby was very sweet. 

What stood out to me were the (extension of) men’s roles.  Willoughby was more troubled/darker than in Ang Lee’s film, but his scenes after the break-up were quite strong.  You could tell he was suffering a LOT at those times.  There are things dramatized that were only hinted in the book; I esp. liked the swordfighting part!  Margaret was a clever, funny child who said things the grown-ups could not; her acting was natural.  I would recommend this to any JA fan!   

North Country

Okay, I admit it, I wanted to see this movie b/c Sean Bean (one of my fave Brits) is in it!  I borrowed the DVD from my mom a LONG while back, but just saw it yesterday.  Domestic issues, father-daughter probs, big union vs. “little” ppl (women mine workers who faced TERRIBLE harrassment), Woody Harrelson, Sissy Spacek (the quiet/ strong mom of heroine), and Frances McDormand (FABULOUS as always; gets to kiss Sean- hehehe) are here! 

We go back to the late ’80s in tough mining town in MN and meet a young single mom (Josie Aimes) of 2 trying to make it on her own (for the 1st time in her life, w/o a man).  Her dad (played VERY well by Richard Jenkins; opposite to his dad role in Rumor Has It) also works at the mine, and is NOT happy to see her there.  Also, unlike the mom, he can’t seem to forgive her for getting pregnant at 16 (can’t reveal too much about that b/c it’d spoil the end).  Josie is considered “kinda girly” but takes a job in the iron mine b/c the pay is good; the company recently opened up to women. 

This movie does an esp good job of showing us the community: harsh landscape, $ struggles, traditional, working-class Midwest.  You will be shocked by the things that happen to the ladies in the film, but it is based on a real case (the 1st sexual harrassment class action lawsuit).  Woody is the local sports hero turned lawyer who tries the case; he really gets into his role. 

What struck me, besides the father-daughter relationship, was Josie’s struggles with her son (who is trying to fit in like any other teen).  Charlize Theron connected well with the kids onscreen, and is good at showing vulnerability.  The audience gets to see real people and, not only “movie” types in North Country.  Niki Caro (dir also of Whale Rider) shows us another female from traditional community with (emotionally distant/angry) male relative who seeks to belong w/o giving up her dignity.

The Jane Austen Book Club

You can try to analyze this film, BUT it’s just harmless fun IMHO!  I wanted to see it b/c I REALLY like Amy Brenneman, Hugh Dancy, and Jimmy Smits.  I hoped that Kathy Baker would have a bigger part, but there are FEW developed characters here.  In the book club there are: the wise / single/ unhappily married / and put-upon woman; the man is sweet/nerdy and has never read ANYTHING by Jane Austen.  Maria Bello’s character (Jocelyn) and Hugh Dancy (Grigg, the only guy member) had a few quirky/nice scenes.  The ppl in movie face some of the same issues that JA wrote about LONG time ago; these issues are universal/timeless.  Check it out if you wanna kick back and chill!