Dyed and Dentifriced

Since my last Pride and Prejudice post, I have seen two more film versions of the classic novel. Bride and Prejudice, courtesy of Netflix, and Pride and Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy, courtesy of Jane. Here are my reviews.

Bride and Prejudice is the Bollywood version, starring the most beloved Bollywood actress of all time, Aishwarya Rai. This was not only my first Aishwarya Rai film, it was my first Bollywood film, unless you count those silly YouTube videos.

My impression of Aishwarya Rai. She’s pretty, but certainly not The Most Beautiful Woman in the World. I was decidedly underwhelmed. If it weren’t for all the hype I might feel otherwise, but I can think of dozens of more attractive women, celebrities and regular Janes alike. She is pretty at any rate, and very graceful, but I didn’t find her acting very impressive. She interpreted Elizabeth’s intelligence and quick wit as affronted snobbery. It was passable though, I’ve certainly seen worse.

My impression of Bollywood. I was impressed. From all those silly YouTube videos I was expecting grainy photography and over-the-top acting. But it looked just like anything produced by a major Hollywood studio.

And the film adaptation. I think they did a great job of transporting P&P to India. I think it was inspired really, because India is one of the few places in the world that the social structure isn’t too far off from that of Austenian England. It’s easy to imagine four grown daughters living at home with their parents in India in this day and age. I didn’t mind the omission of the Kitty character, I always though Kitty was essentially unnecessary. Jane became Jaya, Elizabeth became Lalita, Mary became Maya, and Lydia became Lucky. Maya was my favorite, especially her Cobra dance as the equivalent of Mary’s piano playing. Charlotte, or Chandra, was far too beautiful though, and Jaya too plain.

The story itself gave the impression of having been slapped together by a line worker at Subway. You’re distracted from this by lots of singing and very colorful dancing. My favorite part was Darcy’s comment about the dancing, “I’m a hopeless dancer, but this looks like you just screw in a light bulb with one hand and pat the dog with the other.”

This was a fun movie, but I don’t know that I’d necessarily want to watch it again.

Pride and Prejudice: A Latter Day Comedy is the Mormon adaptation. I was expecting it to be a lot stuffier. It’s very light-hearted, and while it doesn’t stray from Church morals and modesty, neither does it preach or proselytize.

They did a great job of moving Elizabeth and her contemporaries into the 21st Century. Instead of sisters, Elizabeth, Jane, Kitty, Mary and Lydia are roommates. The wealthy Lydia owns the house, and she really steals the film as a smart, husband-seeking, often immodest (by Mormon standards), but likable opportunist. Kitty is her whipping girl and sidekick. Jane is a sweet Argentinian import and Mary is… Mary.

I really like what they did with Mr. Collins especially, he’s a returned missionary out to find a bride, STAT, and pretty much anyone will do, except Mary. I always wondered why Austen didn’t throw Mary and Collins together, they seem perfect for each other. But this film sews them up nicely.

Elizabeth is an aspiring novelist, and it drives her crazy when people call her book a romance. She’s very pretty, and I love her springy curls as well as the necessary flaw, her overbite, especially since I have one of those myself. Darcy owns a publishing house amongst other things, and Lady Catherine is converted into his mother. I’m not sure how I feel about the actor they chose for Darcy. At first glance he’s attractive, but as the movie goes on he begins to look like a weasel, and a close-up of his non-existent lips was unnerving.

Wickham was the only character that didn’t translate very well. The actor isn’t attractive enough for the part, and the case against him is weak by today’s standards.

Overall this was a light, fun adaptation. I prefer something meatier, but it was very well done and I’d definitely watch it again, maybe on a Girls’ Night In.

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Comments

23 Responses to “Dyed and Dentifriced”

  1. Loraine on July 17th, 2008 8:46 pm

    Bollywood and Mormon films back to back?? Sounds kinda like the BYU campus during the World Folkfest, only not as interactive. BYU tries so hard. I went to their Asian Extravaganza thing a few years back. The dances were nice, but the culinary department absolutely SUCKED at making American food resemble Asian food.

    Loraines last blog post..I always knew this guy was ****ed up…

  2. Bee on July 17th, 2008 8:48 pm

    I love Bollywood movies! I watch them with my niece and we get and dance to the musical numbers (not very well).

    Bees last blog post..Hey, here’s a new way to introduce me. “This is the lady with a birthmark on her inner thigh.”

  3. We are THAT family on July 17th, 2008 8:49 pm

    I have never seen a Bollywood movie! I want to though. I’m intrigued . . .

    We are THAT familys last blog post..Sincerely ‘Fro Me to You-Before the ‘Fro

  4. Kimberly on July 17th, 2008 9:28 pm

    I love both those versions, but the Bollywood one was definitely my favourite. The LDS version was pretty funny, I thought, but I wasn’t quite smitten enough with Mr. Darcy for my liking.

    Kimberlys last blog post..Opportunity Lost

  5. sunny on July 17th, 2008 10:07 pm

    great post! Now I really want to see the Mormon version- it’s hard to keep up with all the adaptations.

    I love the Bollywood version- translating issues of class into a post-colonial context works really well- and Collins is so perfect!

    sunnys last blog post..Summer, part deux

  6. lilacspecs on July 18th, 2008 2:13 am

    I really don’t like Jane Austen very much, or at least not Pride and Prejudice.

    *ducks and covers*

    lilacspecss last blog post..Music Monday - It’s Oh So Quiet

  7. Jacki on July 18th, 2008 5:46 am

    I had a friend in college from Afghanistan and she turned me on to Bollywood films. The costumes are gorgeous! I just read an article in a Business Week magazine that more and more Bollywood movie studios are working with Hollywood studios to produce films. So soon we may see more films like this.

    Jackis last blog post..So long, farewell…

  8. Mary Alice on July 18th, 2008 6:59 am

    I am totally ordering the Mormon version. I think my girls would get a kick out of it.

    Mary Alices last blog post..Thoughts From The Frontlines

  9. Siobhan on July 18th, 2008 11:45 am

    Hi, I swung by from lilacspecs from the ex-pat blog award you gave her. I think I’m on a quest to search out ex-pats or something. Can I assume you’re LDS? Me too. Very cool.

    I haven’t seen either film, but need to add them to netflix now. I’d actually forgotten about them. Love the layout of your blog, it’s great.

    Siobhans last blog post..HF: Haiku’d They Be Home?

  10. VE on July 18th, 2008 4:47 pm

    You haven’t seen “Prude and Prunejuiced” yet? It’s when they are much older…

    VEs last blog post..Animal Control

  11. Veggie Mom on July 18th, 2008 5:09 pm

    I was introduced to Bollywood by my students from South Asia. Gotta love the melodramatics and the music!

    Veggie Moms last blog post..Because I’m the Mom; Or, Overture in K(ids) Flat!

  12. Lisa@blessedwithgrace on July 18th, 2008 5:36 pm

    Wow, now I am wanting to see both. Thanks for coming by by blog, today. I hope the you husband well with his job search. It is hard!!

  13. Ree on July 18th, 2008 7:33 pm

    Having been past some of the Bollywood movie sets, but never seeing a Bollywood film, I MUST see this one.

    Rees last blog post..Haiku Friday - Shopping Plans

  14. Jane @ What About Mom on July 19th, 2008 10:00 am

    Man, I thought Darcy was pretty cute, but your line about the emergent weasel-ness has caused me to rethink this. I’ll probably have to watch them movie again soon, now. In order to make a decisive judgement.

    Oh, and totally agree on Mary and Collins. They always seemed perfect for each other.

    Jane @ What About Moms last blog post..Things That Must Go and an L.L.Bean Tote Bag Giveaway

  15. LiteralDan on July 19th, 2008 1:20 pm

    I wasn’t wowed by the movie overall, but she is definitely in the top five most beautiful women I’ve ever seen, only because “the-most-(anything)-in-the-world” fluctuates at least a little from day to day.

    LiteralDans last blog post..Corporate intelligence: Hydrogenate this!

  16. The Bargain Shopper Lady on July 20th, 2008 8:30 am

    Your blog is adorable! I love it! Did you do it yourself or do you have a techie?
    ~The Bargain Shopper Lady

    The Bargain Shopper Ladys last blog post..My Bargain Bag!

  17. Jenn @ Juggling Life on July 20th, 2008 12:36 pm

    I had no idea there was so much Pride and Prejudice out there!

  18. natalie on July 20th, 2008 2:21 pm

    bollywood…i have heard of this, but never experienced it. are these movies in english or are they subtitled?

    natalies last blog post..Blast from the past!

  19. Playful Professional on July 20th, 2008 3:32 pm

    I thought the LDS version was pretty cute. It came out pretty soon after Carmen Rasmussen got kicked off IDOL so it made me laugh that she had a part in it. One of the better LDS movies.

    Playful Professionals last blog post..And I’m Back

  20. Minnesota Matron on July 20th, 2008 4:48 pm

    The fact that there is a Mormon Pride and Prejudice just made everything make sense in my topsy turvy current world.

    Minnesota Matrons last blog post..Certifiably, The Matron

  21. Dingo on July 20th, 2008 6:33 pm

    I will try to set aside my inability to see anyone else other than Colin Firth as Darcy and put these films in my Netflix queue right away!

    Dingos last blog post..Go Find The Funny Caption Contest Results!

  22. manager mom on July 20th, 2008 7:03 pm

    I have yet to watch a Bollywood film, despite all that I’ve been reading about it… going to put this in the Netflix queue.

    manager moms last blog post..Big Ben! Parliament!

  23. Marianne on July 22nd, 2008 3:59 pm

    Loving the P and P low-down! I loved the Bollywood version, I’m a sucker for choreographed dancing. Must check out the other, I’m intrigued…

    Mariannes last blog post..Festa della Redentore

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