Lost in Austen

My co-worker warned me about Lost in Austen. She said it was cheesy, and from the few clips forced on me by a very fanatically-inclined little sister, I would have completely agreed. In context, though, I think it all sort of fit, although it's not exactly Emmy material.

I really liked what they did to this story, but my reasoning is a bit complex.

I have read Pride and Prejudice perhaps seven times. The only books I have read more often are Heart of Darkness (8) and The Book of Mormon (?). That doesn't mean that I like the work, just that my professors did. I admit, I liked the book very well the first three times. The romance was classic and endearing, and the language was fluid and fun. Then came Austenmania, and I jumped ship. Jane Austen wrote some enjoyable stories, but I wouldn't rank her any higher than Georgette Heyer (this coming from the same person who ranks Shakespeare with Steven Spielberg). And at this point, having seen every version of P&P ever filmed professionally, and several staged versions, I can honestly say that although I know the story in and out, I'm finished with it.

So why did I ever bother watching this one? Because I'm NOT that kind of purist. I took several months to warm up to the idea, but I've finally decided that even P&P and Zombies was a brilliant idea. Really. Anything's better than another damp Colin Firth. Um. . .

Anyway, this BBC film follows Amanda Price as she totally bungs up P&P after Elizabeth Bennett shows up in her loo and switches places. Amanda (Jemima Rooper) truly does a real number on the whole story, including a beautiful moment when she finally knees Collins in the nuts; something women have longed to do for two hundred years.

Just like that moment, Lost in Austen fulfills wish after wish, including a rather off-the-wall reprise of some nearly Jemima-on-Christina action, reminiscent of Hex. Although that particular wish wasn't mine, I can see why it made the final cut. I'm not sure if I like where the Caroline/George thing was going, though. He's much too good for her.

Anyway, whether or not you'll like this film is pretty well entangled by your relationship with Pride and Prejudice. Either way, I'd recommend giving it a go.