Jane Austen discussion
Spring JA Group Film Festival
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Bride and Prejudice 2004
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I watched it for the first time this weekend. It was fabulous. I was a little sceptical at the beginning, but it won me over by the end. It's a bit messy in places, as adaptations go, but it definitely holds up the spirit of the original, is hilariously funny, and bright and cheerful. I'm not a big fan of Bollywood, but here it all felt right and fun and I didn't mind the musical numbers at all. I'm not sure I understood what Wickham was going to do with Lucky (this version's Lydia). As usual with modern adaptations of P&P that part of the story is difficult to translate. So far, I found the Lizzy Bennet Diaries had the best take on it (view spoiler).
One thing this adaptation was about (and they talk of it in the commentary to my DVD edition) is how East meets West. In particular, Darcy is dismissive of Indian culture in the beginning, and sees it only from the perspective of a business opportunity. His eyes are opened by Lalita (this version's Lizzy) and by spending time in India, and he decides not to pursue the purchase of the hotel after all. I felt like this was where the film got a bit messy, as it wasn't entirely clear why he didn't buy the hotel in the end (he could have done so, after all, while still being respectful of the culture, or by trying to make the place contribute somehow to the local community). But it was an interesting addition to the plot of the original.
Yay! I'll watch tonight. :)
So it probably helps that I love musicals too but I think this film was beautifully executed.
My parents and I enjoyed this film when we watched it several years ago. I died laughing at Mr. Koli (Collins) and when the Mary sister performed her snake dance. It's best when it draws from the original text. Jane Austen was such a wit that her words can be updated only slightly and still be funny. Where it fails is with the Darcy snobbery thing and the thing with his sister that was just tossed in there at the end randomly.
The wedding scenes are amazing! My cousin was invited to an East meets West Indian wedding and I recommended this movie to her and her husband. They never said whether they watched it or not.
Every time I watch this movie, I emerge with a great bubble of joy inside. Lots of bits are silly (on the beach in Santa Monica, for instance), but silly in an all-out, joyous way that I find totally irresistible. The Darcy actor seems a bit weedy, but all of Lalita’s family is so rich (in the sense of fully realized characters) that I don’t care.
The first time I watched this movie I hated it - it was so colourful & confusing. Now I love it because it's so colourful & confusing!My favourite scenes are the sisters dancing & singing "no life without wife" (which is interspersed with that wonderful scene of Kohli growling like a tiger) & the English wedding Lalita dreams of - complete with a may pole & morris dancers. And the stick dance which shows how Darcy is so much a fish out of water in this environment, yet Bhahraj & Wickham both adapt so easily.
It's fault is some pretty ragged editing - the film was running long & some of the cuts are a bit rough & the lack of chemistry as I first thought between Martin Henderson & Aish. When you have watched it umpteen times as I have, you do see the chemistry is subtle but it is there. Unfortunately there is more chemistry between Lalita & Wickham - & Jaya & Bhahraj.
Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "My favourite scenes are the sisters dancing & singing "no life without wife""Oh yes! The chemistry in the entire family was one of the highlights of this adaptation, I felt. The sisters were amazing.
Kohli was a highlight as well - so funny.
And the snake dance!
Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "The first time I watched this movie I hated it - it was so colourful & confusing. Now I love it because it's so colourful & confusing!"
Lol!
& I have a treat for you guys! You all know Martin Henderson is a kiwi, right?You want to see one of his early acting roles? :D The first (excruciating) episode of NZ soap, Shortland St. There is another very famous actor in this as well - two really, as actress Danielle Cormack has been very successful in Australasia.
Let me know if this won't play outside NZ.
https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/shor...
Can't watch it outside of NZ :( who's the other famous actor?
Temuera Morrison from Once Were Warriors.
Try this from You Tube just short clipshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta6sG...
Only watch the first clip!
Edit; has been deleted from You tube.
& the other kiwi connection is Daniel Gillies. He was born in Winnipeg to NZ parents, who decided to move home when he was five.This is an early role of his Street Legal which wasn't a bad show & he looked absolutely gorgeous in it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQRDe...
Mod
I think the music and dance are excellent (I actually bought the soundtrack), the comedy is hilarious, and the plot of P & P is translated well to another culture. I love how Chadha had Aishwarya gain a little weight to look more realistic-- when is THAT ever going to happen again in the movie industry? I also like seeing Alexis Bledel and Marsha Mason here.
Emilia wrote: "Oh yes! The chemistry in the entire family was one of the highlights of this adaptatio..."
I can't find any link to back it up, but I believe Namrata (Jaya) & Aish (Lalita) were friends - or at least friendly. They were beauty queens in succeeding years.
Looking all four women up on IMdb, Aish took a break for marriage/motherhood, Namrata appears to have retired for motherhood in 2005 (although IMdB often has gaps for non North American actors)
Here is where it gets interesting Megnaa(Maya) is a trained dancer. She looked a little clumsier than the other 3 in the "no life without wife dance", so that must have been intentional. It looks like she has worked steadily without becoming a star.
Peeya Rai Chowdhary doesn't appear to have worked in the industry (other than a deoderant commercial) since 2006. How much does it have to do with her then husband becoming a hostile witness at a murder trial? https://bollywoodjournalist.com/2013/...
Interesting!So here's a question: do you guys think that Aishwarya Rai was right for the Lizzy Bennet role (here Lalita)? I thought that perhaps she might be too pretty, considering she's Miss World and all that. My husband, who watched the movie with me, thought she was cast correctly as a) the Jane character was very pretty anyway and b) Aishwarya has very fine eyes, and thus matches Lizzy's description.
All of this is, of course, discounting the fact that this isn't precisely Pride and Prejudice, that there is no Lizzy but a Lalita, and no Jane but a Jaya etc.
I watched years ago. l like It too, but I just can't help laugh and shout it out loud "what the hell" when Mr Darcy come out with drum in last screen. Hahaha. You know... our Mr. Darcy always is a cool guy.
Emilia wrote: "Interesting!So here's a question: do you guys think that Aishwarya Rai was right for the Lizzy Bennet role (here Lalita)? I thought that perhaps she might be too pretty, considering she's Miss Wo..."
Well, as Noe has pointed out they have made quite few changes in character.
The balcony at the wedding they are in the same place, but not together when Bhahraj spotsJaya. So no having to decide which is the more beautiful to inspire in (Bhahraj's case) the instalove.
Lakhi is also better looking then I picture Lydia.
I agree with you, Tongtong, the drum thing was over the top! But by that time there had been so much that was over the top that I just went with it. He could have ridden an elephant instead.
By the way, for anyone wanting to learn more about the movie, the DVD has an option of running a commentary by the filmmakers concurrently with the picture.
D.G. wrote: "Personally, I love the mother!https://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgu......"
Ha, that is a great still - so reflective of the daughters' personalities! Jaya & Maya look dutiful, Lalita looks rebellious & Lakhi isn't paying attention!
& yesterday afternoon I made a post & GR went down for maintenance. :(Tuesday evening I viewed some of the deleted scenes. I think it could have been a better movie if they at least showed Darcy arriving to speak to Bhahraj in London. The way the film was edited it was like Bhahraj had turned up out of the blue. How would he have even known Jaya was in the country.
Edit; Rewatched & Darcy tells Lalita he has been to see Bharaj. I think showing not telling would have been better!
Rachel wrote: "I LOVE this film. I remember having my dad drive me an hour to an independent theater to see it when it was released. I think the music and dance are excellent (I actually bought the soundtrack),..."
I thought it was Aish's own idea to gain weight. But when you look at the DVD cover
http://www.dvd-covers.org/d/30116-3/2...
They darkened both actors' hair, slimmed down Aish & obviously fiddled with her face, so that one of the world's most beautiful women just looks reasonable pretty.
Emilia:I'm not sure I understood what Wickham was going to do with Lucky (this version's Lydia). As usual with modern adaptations of P&P that part of the story is difficult to translate.I think this is an example of the film fudging a few things!
I think Lakhi is supposed to be very young - as evidenced by her father saying she was too young to go to Goa & the scene where she is next to her father - I think he is working on the farm accounts & Lakhi is doing her homework. Lalita doesn't appear concerned by Lakhi's obvious infatuation with Johnny - because she believes him to be an honorable man. As we find out later, Johnny has already seduced a then 16 year old Georgy.
Based on Johnny's demeanor up on the London Eye I think we are supposed to believe he hasn't seduced Lakhi yet, even though they have spent the night together.
Mod
It's been a long time since I learned that-- I believe Chadha discusses it on the commentary track for the film-- so you might be right, Carol. Either way, I think it's a good detail in the film.
Rachel wrote: It's been a long time since I learned that-- I believe Chadha discusses it on the commentary track for the film-- so..."
I haven't played the commentary track - I'll have to wait till my husband goes out, as my repeated viewings of this film are driving him insane! :D
I love this film! I saw it in the theatre when it first came out! Great fun.
Clip of Naveen Andrews about the movie (& where he says he never danced before)https://www.tribute.ca/interviews/nav...
Interview with Martin Henderson
https://www.thoughtco.com/martin-hend...
I was trying to find an interview with Nitin Ganatra (Kholi) I'm going to see if it is with my DVD extras. I do remember him saying that there were 3 different styles of acting on the film - British, American & Indian.In my own mind I was just comparing this film to LaLa Land - which I hated. There are similarities. Romantisised settings, beautiful costumes, characters breaking into song & dance without warning. & I didn't like B&P on the first viewing, so I am wondering if I will like LLL the second time around.
But maybe not. For me the two main differences are I don't find Ryan Gosling appealing (& he is an even more wooden actor than Henderson) and the length of the film.
This is such a fun film!! Seen it many times and own the soundtrack. Besides the plot and music, the scenes of India are beautifully filmed.
I thought it did a great job of showing cross-cultural issues and how even in our advanced world, pride and prejudice still exist much like in JA's time. We have really not changed very much when it comes to acceptance.
Really takes JA to the global level!!
I have no "technical" comments but I loved this movie! After avoiding it for the longest time because it wasn't British nor American (yes, woe to me for letting biases get in the way), I succumbed to watching it after an Indian friend said it was good. And so on a flight from Singapore to the US, and then again from the US to SG, I watched it twice.I loved the mother and I loved Aishwarya Rai as Lalita (I think this would count as one more version where Lizzy is prettier than Jane?); the American Darcy I found not a very strong character... but hey, overall, I loved it and would watch again.
Screenplay by Chadha and Paul Mayeda Berges
I didn't get to do the research on this film that I intended, but I understand it has a strong following in our group. Anyone who is a particular fan, please do share your own filmography details about the film. Thank you.