Rated PG13
Starring: Frances O'Connor,
Jonny Lee Miller,
Alessandro Nivola, Embeth Davidtz,
and Harold Pinter.
Written by Patricia Rozema
and Jane Austen.
Directed by Patricia Rozema.
Produced by Sarah Curtis.
Rating: 89%
Jane Austen's "wicked comedy," was a wicked comedy in Mansfield Park!
Some of the beginning camera angles were a bit awkward and strange, but
it did give the film some definite retrospect. It was simply a charming
film! It left the audience with a happy mind-set, and did a great job
in warming the heart.
At the age of ten, Fanny Price is sent to live with her aunt in
Mansfield Park. Once poor and impoverished, she's suddenly overwhelmed
by the grandure of a wealthy life-style. However, her first day is
more than rough. Her Aunt Fanny gives her the coldest, most discrete
room in the house, treats her as a mindless servant, and considers her
nothing more than a barbarian. However, Edmund, the younger son of the
two, becomes Fanny's instant companion. They grow up together, play
together, read together, and help eachother in their writing. There's
only one problem-- they consider one another sister and brother. It
takes the mischief of two snobbish, "sophisticated" guests from London,
to reveal their true feelings for one another.
While most guys would instantly say "chic flick," it's actually a great
film for BOTH genders. It has wit, charm, and all the makings of
a romantic masterpiece. It's a great English film, and is really very
funny.
Playing Fanny Price, Frances O'Conner does a terrific job in showing
the true insecurities within her character. She has desires and hopes
and goals, but at the same time, she's never gotten the chance to show
anyone what she's worth. As a result, she's rather closed up to
everyone-- except Edmund. O'Conner delivers this character with style,
and ignites the screne with her passion! She's fresh, down to Earth,
and has a "one of us" mentality which makes her simply more vibrant!
However, the masterstroke of her preformance, is how she still manages
to show us how she's bursting with spunk on the inside, and has some
real courage buried down in her roots.
Another superb preformance, is that of Johnny Lee Miller (Fanny's love
interest). His entire life, he's been the good boy, but now, he needs
to make some substantial decisions in his life. Like... does he want
Fanny, or the snobbish, no good loser of a visitor who has no heart?
Tough choice! But back on track, the reason Miller's preformance is
so memorable, is because of the beauty by which he shows his innocence,
and true uncertainty. With any other actor, it might not have been
believable that anyone would be foolish enough, or have the type of
character, to actually like that snobbish, no good loser of a visitor who
has no heart. However, Miller makes his character the type of character
who is actually blinded, at first, by sylish prose. He shows the
audience how so many are so often fooled by such weatlh, and materialism.
It's really well done, and when he finally comes to it, he still has
an innocent, tentative nature which makes the girls in the theatre
just melt (tehee).
However, what's a film without great directing, writing (go Jane Austen!),
and cinematography? It was great! Bravo! Magnifico! Ok.
The plot could be a little confusing at times, and the film's style
was occasionaly a little too strange, but it's still a terrific movie!
While it's currently only showing at Maple Art theatres, it's worth the
travel if there's one in a nearby town! It lacks the prose, and
style of Sense and Sensibility, but still, it's Mansfield Park! What
else can I say? This was Jane Austen's favorite.
Another superb preformance, is that of Johnny Lee Miller (Fanny's love
interest). His entire life, he's been the good boy, but now, he needs
to make some substantial decisions in his life. Like... does he want
Fanny, or the snobbish, no good loser of a visitor who has no heart?
Tough choice! But back on track, the reason Miller's preformance is
so memorable, is because of the beauty by which he shows his innocence,
and true uncertainty. With any other actor, it might not have been
believable that anyone would be foolish enough, or have the type of
character, to actually like that snobbish, no good loser of a visitor who
has no heart. However, Miller makes his character the type of character
who is actually blinded, at first, by sylish prose. He shows the
audience how so many are so often fooled by such weatlh, and materialism.
It's really well done, and when he finally comes to it, he still has
an innocent, tentative nature which makes the girls in the theatre
just melt (tehee).
