MovieChat Forums > Mansfield Park (2008) Discussion > 'the purple aunt'.....

'the purple aunt'.....

posted 17 years ago by unknowntoall
15 replies | jump to latest

what a romantic image of Edmund realising that it's Fanny he truly loves when she advises her aunt to use purple thread!! that for me completely sums up how bad the script was for this adaption!

everything was rushed, i felt there was no gripping moments or any qualities that the characters had in the book that made a real emotive connection! It was bland and lacking in so many ways!!

The reason this adaption has failed miserably for me is because of the script not because billie piper was an awful Fanny but because she had nothing to work with!!

The only thing that saves this adaption was Lady Bertram!

I can only hope that Northanger Abbey and Persuasion can redeem this "Jane Austen Season"

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] vero_lorenzox 17 years ago

Not only does he realises he loves her in the most idiotic way, he kisses her before a decent proposal... before he says he loves her, I think! I'm against kisses in Jane Austen adaptations. I think it's just plain wrong... but I've learnt to live with it because they are in almost every adaptatin after the proposal.

[–] bec_ormston 17 years ago

It was a daft realisation but the truth is he'd been in love with her for so long that the fact she was so at ease just made him realise - that sudden jolt can happen sometimes! Plus I liked the kiss - all adaptions take poetic license and I think the kiss was well placed - he might not have proposed to her before hand but she knew he was going to and for all intents and purposes since they saw each other on the morning it was pretty much like an unspoken engagement between them :D I loved this adaptation but to be fair I haven't read the book although I will now! But it was a bit rushed in places but there was good tension most of the time between edmund and fanny....I'm glad I brought this now :D

But we're trash, you and me, We're the litter on the breeze, We're the lovers on the street

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] bec_ormston 17 years ago

I like the film for what it is - a film. I like it as an adaptation because without the book the film would not exist. HOWEVER I have not read Mansfield Park but I do like Jane Austen's work. The only book I've really read of hers is Persuasion but the stories she writes translate to the screen well even if those versions are bad.

BTW A true Jane Austen fan could like this if they didn't take it so seriously...umm you may say..I dunno random here..a true Harry Potter fan wouldn't like the movies but how much do those movies make and how many people like HP?? At least a few people like both and are 'true' fans. I would like to think you are being lighthearted in your comment but if you are not then I would ask you keep your judgement to yourself..I like what I like and it is perfectly possible for me to enjoy a film and a book of the same story even if it goes against general consensus.....I have my own mind and my own opinions so I think I'l go buy the book Mansfield Park and read it followed by a lovely viewing of the film!

But we're trash, you and me, We're the litter on the breeze, We're the lovers on the street

[–] lucymaxx 16 years ago

Do you even like Jane Austen because no true Jane Austen fan would like this

Ouch. That's a pretty general opinion to voice for all Jane Austen fans. I have not seen this adaptation of Mansfield Park yet, but I have read the book, seen the 1983 adaptation, as well as Patricia Rozema's film. I know the story well enough to know that Rozema's film is completely wrong, yet that didn't stop me from being entertained by it. And being entertained by a less that accurate film version does not make me any less of a "true" fan.

I have read all of Austen's books more times than I can count, have seen and/or own all movie adaptations of said books, have read most continuations/sequels written for said books, and have been lucky enough to have taken two graduate level courses studying her novels (and loved them, by the way). I also have a Jane Austen Action Figure that sits next to my computer (with her own little writing desk, book and pen). Do I qualify as a "true" fan or does the fact that I allow myself to enjoy less than accurate film adaptations disqualify me? I think we're allowed to enjoy the different film versions, despite their flaws, without having to tear up our "True Fan" membership cards or forget the secret handshake.

[–] wickedialogue 16 years ago

Absolutely one of the most juvenile accusations to appear on these boards. No Jane Austen fan would behave thusly.

[–] geekgoddess24 16 years ago

Pretty much the whole movie I was yelling out loud to my tv...but that whole purple thread moment was pretty much the climax. I felt it was totally out of place considering that they didn't really have a mutal flirtation at all during the movie. The whole double take Edmund did, and the cheesy music just made it worse.

[–] rabeachy 16 years ago

I totally agree with you. I laughed during the purple thread scend. It was horrific! I emailed Masterpiece theatre about this adaptation. I have read the book and I have seen 1999 version. 1999 version is significantly better. Stays more on track with the book. I really feel bad for those who haven't read Jane Austen and think that this is a good film. Northanger Abbey is decent. I thought the book was boring so having it as a shorter movie was a good thing. Again the 1995 adaptation of Persuasion was a lot better. I have yet to see Emma and Sense & Sensibility. Hopefully, they won't be awful.

[–] lizzy-snowe 16 years ago

I guess I also am one of the few people who liked this film. Masfield Park, however, is the only Austen book that I haven't read- I'm barely half-way through. I never really do expect adaptions to be on level with the books, and so I guess that's why I enjoy adaptions so much.
However, there were some pretty ridiculous moments (purple thread scene screams this) I found myself laughing here. But then, I rather liked those few scenes when Edmund knows he loves Fanny. And also, all those omissions of characters!
I might not be a true hardcore die-hard Austen fan, I admit, but I do enjoy her works, and I enjoyed this adaption well enough to actually want to watch it again.

[–] wickedialogue 16 years ago

I do consider myself an Austen fan, have read all her books more than once and enjoyed this vastly more than the train wreck starring Frances O'Connor. The leads were credible and the plot was easy to follow. It was better than Persuasion (which was more watchable than 95) and far better than the forgettable Northanger Abbey.

[–] randommovies2002 16 years ago

In the novel, Austen never does explain when/why/where Edmund suddenly realizes his love for Fanny. But we know that it MUST have come on suddenly. I think this is what the film tries to portray with the purple scheme. Sure, we can laugh at it, but the thing is, it did happen suddenly.

Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery. I quit such odious subjects as soon as I can, impatient to restore everybody, not greatly in fault themselves, to tolerable comfort, and to have done with all the rest.

[...]

I only entreat everybody to believe that exactly at the time when it was quite natural that it should be so, and not a week earlier, Edmund did cease to care about Miss Crawford, and became as anxious to marry Fanny as Fanny herself could desire (ch. 48).

[–] raerick2000 16 years ago

Let us remember that it is only an adaption people! someone else's script, and thought process attempting to make a decent movie to watch and entertain..I think the only one who is capable of passing such judgment would be Jane Austen herself..Either way, I am just thankful for PBS to even make such a dedication to one of the best female writers by having new updated adaptations of her books for us all to watch and enjoy...Also for those who have never read a book by Austen, it provokes interest by watching these films, that has them wanting to then read her own words in the many stories she has told...

[–] wickedialogue 16 years ago

People who pick at adaptations like that are determined not to be pleased.

[–] llellisrn 16 years ago

I so totally agree! I actually laughed out loud during the "purple thread scene."