Everyone's discussing the latest version of P & P and the merits of Keira Knightly and Matthew MacFadyen in the roles of Lizzie and Darcy. The discussion usually goes one of two ways. First is the hotness of Matthew vs. Colin Firth. Second is the prettiness of KK. There is also discussion of the abridgement that was necessary for this new 2-hour version. But usually it all comes down to who's hotter.
For me the success of the film is due more to the story then anything else, though I think CF and MM bring equal (if different) levels of hotness to the screen. Heavy breathing aside, I'm in it for the romance. Did I sigh? Yes. Eyes glow? Definitely. Find myself aahing with satisfaction when they finally make it through? You bet. And this after reading the book a dozen times and seeing other versions of the movie - including the very fun and fine Bride and Prejudice .
What I want is the tension. Will they get together, triumph over their obstacles, and achieve their HEA. If it's done well it doesn't matter how many times they tell the tale. So count this as another voice lauding the movie. I can't wait to see it again.
It's been ages since I last wrote, I apologize. Had a nice vacation in Chicago and saw the very wonderful Wicked with Ana Gasteyer in the Elphaba role. For those of you not familiar with this Broadway musical - it's all about the Wicked Witch and how she got to be that way. It's based (loosely) on the book of the same title by Gregory Maguire. The book has far more depth and some elements in the play were altered, but I highly recommend both.
Speaking of musicals...yesterday I led a teen book group discussion here at my library. I lead several book groups, but usually the youth services librarian handles the teens. I was asked to fill in while we search for a new YS librarian. So I dutifully read the book, Neal Shusterman's The Schwa was Here and prepared to talk with the teens. The teens were all boys and ranged in age from about 12-14 years old. Boys! The actual book discussion didn't last that long, but we did have a good talk about a range of entertainment topics. Here's where I bring it back to musicals. One of the boys was giving me a blow by blow description of a movie he'd seen called Equilibrium and in the midst of his description he asked if I'd seen the movie Newsies.
Newsies? Being a musical fanatic, I've always been convinced I'm the only one who actually saw this one in the theater and loved it besides. And here's this 13-year-0ld boy asking about it. He then informs me that the guy who played the lead, Jack, is in this movie Equilibrium and oh, by the way, is also the guy who played Batman in the most recent movie. Wow! Christian Bale was in Newsies? I'd long since forgotten who played the lead (if I ever knew). So funny having this kid rave that it's his favorite musical!
Maybe I need to lead the teen book group more often.