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The first version is from 1999 after this and stars Jonny Lee Miller (um, hot much? Yes.) as Edmund and Frances O'Conner as Fanny. The more recent version, 2007, stars Billie Piper as Fanny and Blake Ritson as Edmund. I must admit I don't know much about any of these actors, so I guess that's a good thing because I'm not bias towards one or the other. All I know is that Jonny Lee Miller was once married to Angelina Jolie and that he's extremely hot. But Blake's not all that bad either.
Well glad that's out of the way. Moving on.
The first one I saw was the 1999 version. I've seen it multiple times, and if I remember correctly, I saw the movie before I actually read the book. Bad idea, because I tend to remember details from the movie more than the book. I do, however, know that 1999 strays rather far from the book. I won't get into huge details since I know most of you haven't read this book, but they change Fanny- the main heroine- up almost too much. In the book she is really shy and they treat her as a servant. In 1999 she is treated more as an equal, but they don't let her forget that she's not, and she's more outspoken. While this makes for a more interesting movie (her character would be rather dull if exactly like the movie), it kind of strays away from the whole idea of what Fanny is supposed to be. The other huge problem I have with this movie is the portrayal of the dad, Mr. Bertram. In the book he always treats Fanny as a far inferior, but I think he actual secretly admires her character and in the end he is actually very warm to her when he realizes she is way better than half of his children. But in 1999, they portray him as this angry guy who rapes all his slaves and I didn't appreciate that at all, especially since I don't think he does that in the book. All the other characters I think are portrayed similar.
Now to the 2007 version. This one is by far more accurate and follows the book closely. It's been awhile since I read the book, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't stray far. Fanny is more like she is in the book, as well as Mr. Bertram, and a secondary character named Miss Crawford gets under your skin much more than in 1999. They developed her character more in this version, which I think was a great success. This version might be a little duller than the 1999, but I can't fault it for staying right with the book. That, after all, was the real masterpiece.
If I had to pick a favorite, I think I would pick 2007. While the characters aren't nearly as good looking (sorry, Blake, but Jonny SO has you beat), I think it sticks more with the book. Frances is WAY prettier than Billie, but Fanny is supposed to be plain looking and rather boring, but a strong character nonetheless. Of course, I haven't talked about everything, but I think this covers the general thoughts that I had while watching it.
And did I mention that even though Fanny and Edmund are the heroine and hero and they live happily ever after (oh come on, I didn't spoil anything, all of Austen's books end like that), that they're cousins? Try to keep that thought out of your head while you watch the movie/read the book.
Any suggestions on which movies I should tackle next?
Emma!!
ReplyDeleteWell said cousin, well said! There are great things about both versions. I like how you addressed Fanny's character. I think that in the 1999 version, because she is a bit more forthright (though she still dislikes attention) it seems less likely that Edmund would be THAT oblivious to her. In the 2007 she is so meek and mild that its more likely she would disappear into the cracks. Sweet people like that tend to be overlooked unfortunately. I think Edmund just took her for granted. You feel bad for her in both versions for being kind of the "black sheep" but her little longing glances at Edmund in the 2007 version were more heartbreaking because she was so in the shadows. I thought she was so adorable though! The scene where she was washing her hair was so cute and how she kind of played hard to get when he finally realized his feelings. I've never seen a man run so fast to pick flowers, lol! I really loved the ending in both movies. JLM: "No Fanny, as a man loves a woman." AWWW. And I have to say, can either Edmund get any cuter?! JLM of course is a hottie, but there is just something so deep about Blake's eyes! And lucky for us, we get both in Emma :). I agree that 2007 may be a bit duller, but on the whole there are things I like a lot better about it. 1999 is definitely over-sexed and they took some things too far. Honestly, Henry/Maria was gross (Maria is supposed to be attractive and she is just weird-looking in 1999), the thing with Mr.Bertram was disturbing, and I had a problem with Fanny kissing Henry- I think that was a bit anti-Austen. Hayley Atwell on the whole was a better and more appealing Mary Crawford than Embeth Davidtz- so you understand why Edmund would be attracted to her. But I did like JLM's speech denouncing her in the 1999 one- he all but slapped her in the face. I think both versions are so different that you can watch either one without feeling like its the same (this is good and bad when considering the source material). All in all, I think I'm with you that 2007 may be my favorite. Blake and Billie are just so endearing as a couple, as much as I love JLM and Frances.
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