LookGirl gets cultured: Between the covers

Monday, January 28, 2008

Between the covers

Gabriel Garcia Marquez's great novel, "Love in the Time of Cholera" was recently made into a, by all accounts, dismal movie starring Javier Bardem and Benjamin Bratt, directed by Mike Newell. But, to be fair, to top the beauty of the novel would be an almost impossible task. It's not only one of the greatest love stories ever told, it's one of the most beautiful novels ever written. It's the story of Florentino Ariza's love for Fermina Daza, which is unrequited for more than 50 years, yet never diminishes, despite his best attempts. "Little by little the fragrance of Fermina Daza became less frequent and less intense, and at last it remained only in white gardenias."

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Masterpiece Theatre's Pride and Prejudice: This BBC version of Jane Austen's most popular novel is the best, and most-loved, film adaptation ever. Released a little more than 10 years ago, it caused a stir of interest in Austen's work, and ignited a passionate devotion to Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy. The film is not overhyped at all, it's worth every ounce of praise its gotten, it takes it's time and is totally true to Austen's writing and time. And I dare you not to fall in love with Firth by the end of it.
Masterpiece Theatre's Northanger Abbey: This is my least favorite of Austen's novels, as it betrays her youth with it's simple and whimsical story. This film brings out the magic of the book though, with it's spooky depiction of Northanger Abbey and it's scenes ripped straight out of a B movie that reflect Catherine's over-ripe imagination. It's beautifully shot, and the actors once again are great, especially the Jude Law lookalike who plays Henry Tilney. It's a Jane Eyre-style romance gone right. The only thing behind the doors of this castle are dusty mirrors, covered furniture and our protagonists having a lover's spat.
Masterpiece Theatre's Persuasion is an over-the-top romantic period piece that might not be technically true to the era it was based in, does convey the spirit of Jane Austen through the fine performances. Anne Elliot is a heroine so empathetic your heart aches for her. And as played by Sally Hawkins, she's suitably likable and pretty, yet with an air of desperation that rushes through the camera lens. Rupert Penry-Jones is truly gorgeous, and is perfect as the loved-and-lost Captain Wentworth. Some may quibble with the end of the film, which finds Anne running through the streets of Bath to confess her love to Wentworth, but there's nothing wrong with injecting a little modern passion into Austen's work when translated to screen.