Why do women like Pride and Prejudice?
- Thread starter Pergamum
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Pergamum;
it's been awhile since I've watched the movie, so I had to look it up..
Pride & Prejudice (2005) - Synopsis
it's been awhile since I've watched the movie, so I had to look it up..
Pride & Prejudice (2005) - Synopsis
Oecolampadius
Puritan Board Sophomore
A friend told me that she likes the older one, not the newer version (2005) with Kiera Knightley in it. She must be referring to the 1995 version which has Colin Firth in it.
I absolutely love the 1995 version, and request to watch it more than my wife would even like. It took a lot of convincing to get me to watch it the first time...still some convincing the second time...but after I understood the plot pretty deeply, it all came together and I absolutely love it.
The casting, writing, performances, everything was superbly done on that film. A lot of good laughs in it too.
And anybody who demands I hand over my man-card, or wishes to take any man-points away from me either 1) has not seen the film or 2) has absolutely no appreciation for good story-telling.
Just ask ChristianTrader - I forced him to borrow it and watch it. Don't know if he's come through on that one or not
The casting, writing, performances, everything was superbly done on that film. A lot of good laughs in it too.
And anybody who demands I hand over my man-card, or wishes to take any man-points away from me either 1) has not seen the film or 2) has absolutely no appreciation for good story-telling.
Just ask ChristianTrader - I forced him to borrow it and watch it. Don't know if he's come through on that one or not
There are some serious man points to be lost if you watch an entire episode. However, I will warn you... Watching Pride and Prejudice can create the same discomfort as if you were shopping at the mall with your wife. Multiple episodes of P&P are similar to mall shopping when sales are taken place.
You've been warned...
Also, I'm so aloof to it I thought is was a series... Is it a entire movie?
You also asked about why women love Mr. Darcy. This is one case where I am perfectly fine with it, as he is actually a very good and decent man.
He is quiet, proud, brooding and quite rich. He is very unwelcoming toward new people or places, especially those he views as beneath him or as undignified, but those who are close to him can have no more loving or sacrificial friend in the world. He is a fiercely loyal, private, and principled man who (despite his pride) does not seek his own glory or reputation in any way.
He is quiet, proud, brooding and quite rich. He is very unwelcoming toward new people or places, especially those he views as beneath him or as undignified, but those who are close to him can have no more loving or sacrificial friend in the world. He is a fiercely loyal, private, and principled man who (despite his pride) does not seek his own glory or reputation in any way.
AThornquist
Puritan Board Doctor
I tried to watch the 2005 version but just couldn't stand to finish it. That. Movie. Sucks. Not enough machine guns, blood, or explosions, plus there were hardly any special effects. Don't do it, Perg. Just...just don't do it.
Idelette
Puritan Board Graduate
Funny you should mention this film.....its one of my favorites! 
I love the A&E version best! I think part of the reason is that it resonates with so many women.....almost every woman at one time or another can identify with the characters and situations in this movie! Jane Austen wrote not only about class in society and other social issues, but she wrote about the internal struggles that we all go through as well. Instead of being a fanciful story line....the plot is much more real. Every woman can identify with Elizabeth Bennet on some level!
As for Mr. Darcy....he is the ideal man in many ways....a man of great intellect, strong character, respectable, and although mysterious and misunderstood at times......he is a man of incredible loyalty!
I love the A&E version best! I think part of the reason is that it resonates with so many women.....almost every woman at one time or another can identify with the characters and situations in this movie! Jane Austen wrote not only about class in society and other social issues, but she wrote about the internal struggles that we all go through as well. Instead of being a fanciful story line....the plot is much more real. Every woman can identify with Elizabeth Bennet on some level!As for Mr. Darcy....he is the ideal man in many ways....a man of great intellect, strong character, respectable, and although mysterious and misunderstood at times......he is a man of incredible loyalty!
That move is every bit as horrible as you say.
I'll try to put it in terms that may make sense to you, by way of analogy:
Rocky 1 is to Rocky 5 as the 1995 P&P is to the 2005. If someone saw Rocky 5, and decided they hate Rocky movies, every guy in the world would say "Hey! There are only 4 real Rocky movies and a horrible 5th one just happened to take the same name. Go watch the real ones." Well, same thing here
AThornquist
Puritan Board Doctor
I'll try to put it in terms that may make sense to you, by way of analogy:
Rocky 1 is to Rocky 5 as the 1995 P&P is to the 2005. If someone saw Rocky 5, and decided they hate Rocky movies, every guy in the world would say "Hey! There are only 4 real Rocky movies and a horrible 5th one just happened to take the same name. Go watch the real ones." Well, same thing here
You just spoke to my soul. I'm willing to watch older versions now
CalvinandHodges
Puritan Board Junior
Funny you should mention this film.....its one of my favorites!
As for Mr. Darcy....he is the ideal man in many ways....a man of great intellect, strong character, respectable, and although mysterious and misunderstood at times......he is a man of incredible loyalty!
Hi:
I guess your "Prejudice" does not have anything to do with your icon? Does it?
As I was an English Lit major in College I can relate with good storytelling. Jane Austin is one of the best. I saw the BBC version of P&P and thought that it was as true to the text as could be, and well acted: Jennifer Ehle played Elizabeth well, and Colin Firth was incomparable as Mr. Darcy.
The BBC version was a mini-series with 6 episodes. Keira Knightly (a fine actress as well) did a 2 hour movie. The movie suffers from having to cut many scenes out of the book in order to fit the format. The mini-series suffers from - time to time - being long and drawn out.
If you are used to the regular 2 hour "smash and bash" movie format of Hollywood, then the P&P movie is for you. If you can exercise some patience, and endeavor to get "into" the story, then you will find the mini-series to be quite rewarding.
If you are looking for something similar by the same author, then check out Sense and Sensibility starring Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson. This was very well done. I think you will find Grant's "Mr. Dashwood"'s character as appealing as Mr. Darcy - with the added element of Grant's typically understated British humor.
Well, I guess my "Manly Meter" has just dropped a few ticks, but I don't mind, because Austin explores areas of human interrelations which Bruce Willis, or Sylvester Stallone dare not tread.
Blessings,
Rob
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charliejunfan
Puritan Board Senior
I liked the new version of the movie with kierra knightly because Mr.Darcy looked like a geek! It made me more confident lol
Rangerus
Puritan Board Junior
I actually like both versions, but the older one better (I even bought it for my wife as a present and have sat through it TWICE)!
Lot's of drama among the women. I think the part I like about it is instead of fist fights and guns they make little snarky comments which are a slap in the face. It's funny to think of the way they insulted each other at the time.
There's also a little intrigue and suspense. If you can get past the first episode, it will probably be better than you think.
Lot's of drama among the women. I think the part I like about it is instead of fist fights and guns they make little snarky comments which are a slap in the face. It's funny to think of the way they insulted each other at the time.
There's also a little intrigue and suspense. If you can get past the first episode, it will probably be better than you think.
The movie with Keira Knightley is not worth watching. The miniseries with Jennifer Ehle will stand up to repeated watchings. The book is one of the finest things ever written.
toddpedlar
Iron Dramatist
I agree with all those who argue for the superiority of the 6-hour version. The new one is trash. We've had the old version for a few years now and watch it quite frequently - it's probably among our favorite movies (along with Chariots of Fire, Luther, the Mission) and easily stands up as Ruben said to repeated watchings. I think one of the things that makes that version SO good is the degree to which the characters retain Austen's dialog - which was BRILLIANTLY written. I think there's a lot to be said for P&P even for men; there are a lot of great characters and interaction among them - LOTS to think ao No, it's not an action-packed thriller, but then I don't think there's anything particularly *manly* about low-brow smash-and-explode movies with brutish dialog that pass for "man-films".
CredoFidoSpero
Puritan Board Freshman
It's a good story, and the A&E version with Colin Firth is the best.
Jane Austin was such a good observer of people's character and the human condition. Though there are a lot of good things to admire, there are also a lot of foibles and even meanness (in that polite, British way) to laugh (and wince) at. There's a lot to be learned at watching her character's choices and the consequences - not only to themselves, but to their families and friends.
And, yes, we love an intelligent romance.
Jane Austin was such a good observer of people's character and the human condition. Though there are a lot of good things to admire, there are also a lot of foibles and even meanness (in that polite, British way) to laugh (and wince) at. There's a lot to be learned at watching her character's choices and the consequences - not only to themselves, but to their families and friends.
And, yes, we love an intelligent romance
.
Puritan Sailor
Puritan Board Doctor
I think we have all the Jane austin movie remakes, including both Pride and Prejudice's. The older A&E one is definitely better. And honestly, I'll keep my manpoints because real men use their minds and love well-written stories. I'm really getting tired of the predictable smash and bash movies. Waste of time. Give me some good epics or well-written stories that make you think, and you have a good movie. Doesn't mean you have to give up the action, but perhaps look for action with good story telling too, like Gods and Generals, or Hero, or Lord of the Rings. If you appreciate Tolkien or Lewis, then you should appreciate Jane Austin. 
Galatians220
Inactive User
You all are so young!
There needs to be a bit of "'Pride and Prejudice' on film" history here.
The remakes were made partly to capitalize on the success of the 1940 version with Greer Garson and - ta da! - the ever so dashing Laurence Olivier in the role of Mr. Darcy. Olivier had become a "teen heart throb" in 1939 with his portrayal of Heathcliff in "Wuthering Heights." He was appalled at this; he started out as a Shakespearean interpretive actor and so he promptly made "Rebecca" in 1940 (in which he played a middle-aged, English nobleman who appeared to be a bad guy throughout most of the movie; gray streaks were added to his hair for that movie) and "Pride and Prejudice," also in 1940. He did this "costumer" also to divest himself of the teenage girls who were pestering him wherever he went.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J85Xy2Y8zs]YouTube - Pride and Prejudice 1940 N - Final[/ame]
In my book, he failed in both attempts. Laurence Olivier will always be Heathcliff to me...
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK5qLVwvrUY]YouTube - Wuthering Heights - Re-issue Trailer 1939[/ame]
While I'm very happy with the age that I am now, I do sort of wish that I hadn't been born way too late to have, uh, appreciated Laurence Olivier as a contemporary. (My mom was of an age to appreciate him; she was a "teeny-bopper," so to speak, in 1940, and she told me about him.) Olivier was one of a kind. He will always be Heathcliff and Mr. Darcy to thousands upon thousands of other classic movie fans and that's likely why "Pride and Prejudice" keeps getting remade. No other "Mr. Darcy" could ever hold a candle to Laurence Olivier, though. 
Margaret
There needs to be a bit of "'Pride and Prejudice' on film" history here.
The remakes were made partly to capitalize on the success of the 1940 version with Greer Garson and - ta da! - the ever so dashing Laurence Olivier in the role of Mr. Darcy. Olivier had become a "teen heart throb" in 1939 with his portrayal of Heathcliff in "Wuthering Heights." He was appalled at this; he started out as a Shakespearean interpretive actor and so he promptly made "Rebecca" in 1940 (in which he played a middle-aged, English nobleman who appeared to be a bad guy throughout most of the movie; gray streaks were added to his hair for that movie) and "Pride and Prejudice," also in 1940. He did this "costumer" also to divest himself of the teenage girls who were pestering him wherever he went.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J85Xy2Y8zs]YouTube - Pride and Prejudice 1940 N - Final[/ame]
In my book, he failed in both attempts. Laurence Olivier will always be Heathcliff to me...
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK5qLVwvrUY]YouTube - Wuthering Heights - Re-issue Trailer 1939[/ame]
While I'm very happy with the age that I am now, I do sort of wish that I hadn't been born way too late to have, uh, appreciated Laurence Olivier as a contemporary.
(My mom was of an age to appreciate him; she was a "teeny-bopper," so to speak, in 1940, and she told me about him.) Olivier was one of a kind. He will always be Heathcliff and Mr. Darcy to thousands upon thousands of other classic movie fans and that's likely why "Pride and Prejudice" keeps getting remade. No other "Mr. Darcy" could ever hold a candle to Laurence Olivier, though. Margaret
Grace Alone
Puritan Board Senior
My aunt gave me Jane Austen books to read when I was a teenager, and I truly loved them! I haven't seen any of the movies, but I think I will order the 1995 P&P one to watch this summer.
Spinningplates2
Puritan Board Freshman
I bought it for my oldest daughter afew years ago never suspecting she would expect me to watch it with her. I know that the Bible, science and everything else tells me that men and women are wired different but NOTHING has ever proven it more then watching that movie. If at all possible try to avoid it.
Ex Nihilo
Inactive User
I may be in the minority on this, but I don't think the A&E movie is all that great unless you've read the book, too. The movie is badly shot and not that well cast, and while it certainly transcribes the book to screen faithfully (too faithfully), it adds no interpretive flair to make it worth my watching time when I could be reading instead. (I have, of course, seen it several dozen times, but mostly while doing something else.) Say what you will about the over-emotionalism, clipped lines, and far, far too short length of the Joe Wright version, Keira Knightley actually looks and acts as if she could be twenty years old (which is important -- the story changes if Elizabeth already has the maturity of a 27-year-old), Matthew Macfadyen doesn't have Colin Firth's puppy eyes and actually seems like a jerk early in the film, and Mrs. Bennet is a real character instead of a caricature of a silly mother (and on that point, Joe Wright may have done more than Austen herself, and I thank him for it). Whether you like the 2005 film as an adaptation or not, it's certainly a better quality movie than the A&E version.
As for why women like the books: I'm amazed that so many (outside of our conservative Reformed circles) do. Jane Austen's books are about women growing up and making a rational decision to marry a decent man who will help them grow further. There is almost no "passion." No one ever kisses. Characters with self-control and patience are rewarded. I don't really know why they are appealing to women who aren't looking for sanctification through marriage, except maybe that story of being cared for and cleansed through a husband's leadership kind of resonates with everyone.
And I don't think anyone loses any "man points" for liking them! There is nothing effeminate about appreciating good characterization and witty dialogue.
rbcbob
Puritan Board Graduate
As a 54 year old male with a godly, feminine wife, two grown sons, two grown daughters, and three grandchildren I am in hearty agreement with Yvonne. The A&E version is our favorite.
If, as men, we cannot appreciate a story that delves into the personality defects and interpersonal relationship issues that are so common to us all then we lack a depth of what I would call a thoroughly well-rounded manhood.
There are lessens and applications galore in this well told story. Besides all that it is entertaining!
If, as men, we cannot appreciate a story that delves into the personality defects and interpersonal relationship issues that are so common to us all then we lack a depth of what I would call a thoroughly well-rounded manhood.
There are lessens and applications galore in this well told story. Besides all that it is entertaining!
itsreed
Puritan Board Freshman
Pergamum:
The answer is "yes", sit through it, pay attention, take notes, and at the right time get weepy eyed.
You will benefit both from gaining a better understanding of women's perspectives on life, AND even more, better understanding of how women view men. As one called to love his wife as Christ loves the Church, and obviously thick-headed enough to ask if you should even do something your wife wants to dorolleyes, you definitely need to watch this movie.
I concur with the consensus on the A&E 1995 (Colin Firth) version being better. So sit down, pay attention - you'll be surprised at how something so silly will be a blessing.
The answer is "yes", sit through it, pay attention, take notes, and at the right time get weepy eyed.
You will benefit both from gaining a better understanding of women's perspectives on life, AND even more, better understanding of how women view men. As one called to love his wife as Christ loves the Church, and obviously thick-headed enough to ask if you should even do something your wife wants to do
rolleyes, you definitely need to watch this movie.I concur with the consensus on the A&E 1995 (Colin Firth) version being better. So sit down, pay attention - you'll be surprised at how something so silly will be a blessing.
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