Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Austin Update

What did everyone think of the new Persuasion shown on Masterpiece Theater on Sunday? I have to say I was a bit disappointed. It was only 1 1/2 hours long which did not allow enough time for character development - especially with Mary and Mrs. Smith. I also found the style of the film annoying - the camera kept coming in for a close up on Anne and then she would look at the camera - ?!
Bryan and I watched it together and then we had to pop in the older version and watch that. It is really close to a perfect adaptation - I cannot imagine anyone else playing Anne or Mary as well.

Rent this version after you read the book!

4 comments:

  1. I taped it & haven't watched it yet, but maybe I won't watch it after all!

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  2. No, you should watch it - just rent the other one to watch right after it!

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  3. i agree: the straight on camera looks were weird and i would have liked more development of the story. i just looked up the older version on amazon and i think i must watch that one again. i got it out of the library years ago and i don't remember loving all that much. after reading the reviews and your opinion, i think it's one of those that i'd better watch again. and yes, i should check the book out as well.

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  4. I totally agree! I picked up the book on Monday to make sure my impression of the movie was not just nostalgia for the earlier version of the movie. After finishing it yesterday, I definitely think the old Persuasion is better, truer to the book, and catches the slightly light-hearted feel of the book better than the Masterpiece Theatre version. Sir Walter is a comic, if annoying, character and in the new version he is just annoying. I must say, a big thumb's down. Now I'm reading Northanger Abbey so I'll be ready for this Sunday. I've never seen a film version of it, so it should be interesting.

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