Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Lost in Austen (DVD)

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen was a very fine chronicler indeed of the manners and society of her day. Her books remain popular almost 200 years after her death and producers and scriptwriters not only bring her stories to life on-screen in their original form but have used them as the basis of re-written scripts that the author would barely recognise.
I wonder what she would think of how her greatest work, Pride and Prejudice, has been treated in the DVD Lost in Austen, which has been given the time-slip treatment to link the world of P and P to the present.
Modern girl Amanda Price is a devoted Austen fan whose ordinary life is changed dramatically when she discovers Elizabeth Bennet in her bathroom and ends up replacing her in the story. It's all very entertaining and witty and done with the greatest respect to the writer. Elizabeth Bennet (Gemma Arterton) is largely absent from the story, although much referred to, while Jemima Rooper as Amanda is a delight, albeit far too outspoken and strangely dressed for her journey to the past, according to those who live there. Elliot Cowan is suitably upright and uptight as Mr Darcy - and yes, he does look good in a wet shirt.
It's enjoyable watching - and I think Jane Austen, with her acute observation and wry wit, would agree.
Rating - I give this 4/5
GREAT!!
Get this from the library
Reviewed by Jan @ Ballarat branch


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