MovieChat Forums > Mansfield Park (1999) Discussion > WOW---impressive!

WOW---impressive!

posted 18 years ago by candycane235
3 replies | jump to latest

I just watched this movie after finding it the local library. I remembered that my friend had mentioned it once after I told her how much I loved Pride & Prejudice (2005), so I thought I'd check it out. And wow, I really liked it! Not surprising, I guess, considering that I adore Pride & Prejudice, but I really didn't expect to enjoy this movie that much. I think it was the cover art, for some reason---it gave me the impression that this was going to be like a modern adaptation to the story, and I hate modern adaptations of pretty much ANY classic story or movie. One thing I did find odd was all of the camera angles. They were just weird, but I liked how the director incorporated some of Fanny's dialogue into the other characters' actions. It gave it a quirky feel. And speaking of Fanny, I thought her character to be just a tad bit too...mild, I guess. Maybe I'm just so used to Elizabeth Bennet being a spirited tomboy, but I would have appreciated a stronger sense of confidence in Frances O'Connor's portrayal of Fanny. But overall, I still really enjoyed it.

So those were my two cents.

[–] Unwanted_Birdtamer 18 years ago

That's actually quite funny that you would say O'Connor should have had a stronger sense of confidence; because O'Connor's portrayal of Fanny is far more spirited and self-confident than Fanny is in the book. Austen was intentionally creating a character that was much different from her others, in the case of Fanny, she was exploring different personalities and the causes behind shyness and lack of self-esteem. I believe Austen was showing with her creation of Fanny that it was still possible to be submissive, pious, meek, lacking in self-confidence--in short, the ideal 19th century woman, and still be able to stand firm on your ideals and principles.
A lot of people dislike Fanny, referring to her as insipid, over-piously, lacking a backbone, etc; but I like her. Not all heroines, and certainly not all women, have to be sassy and confident, voicing their opinions and changing the world. Everyone is cut from a different mold, and as much as I love the sassy bold characters like Elizabeth Bennet and Emma, the truth is there are just as many Anne Elliots or Fanny Prices in the world; who are painfully shy, find it difficult to stand up for themselves and try to keep the peace at all costs rather than dare risking any kind of confrontation. I think Fanny in her own way is brave, as it is much more difficult and agonizing for someone like her to finally get the courage to stand up for herself to her aunt or uncle than it is for someone like Elizabeth Bennet or Emma, to whom self-confidence and opinions come very naturally.

There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.

[–] randommovies2002 18 years ago

I think Fanny in her own way is brave, as it is much more difficult and agonizing for someone like her to finally get the courage to stand up for herself to her aunt or uncle than it is for someone like Elizabeth Bennet or Emma, to whom self-confidence and opinions come very naturally.

Excellent! Thanks for posting this. I'll simply add that in addition to coming naturally, this practice is actually indulged in Elizabeth and Emma, whereas in Fanny's case, it was continually ground into her by Mrs. Norris that she is supposed to be the lowest and the last, and not do ANYTHING to put herself forward.

[–] MoiMoi7920 18 years ago

I agree that Fanny is totally unlike Elizabeth Bennet, and though I adore the latter, the former also as her merits. I think I could relate more to Fanny Price than Elizabeth myself, as I'm more of the withdrawn and shy type. Maybe Fanny seems weak and insipid, but it seems to me she has a lot of patience and self-control in order to deal with types like Mrs. Norris and not snap at them.