I want to converse brilliantly as Elizabeth Bennet, be brave like Belle, imaginative like Catherine
- Nor Hashimah
- Feb 9, 2016
- 4 min read
Hello readers!
Started with Austenland, my interest in British period drama/movie has grown more. If you want to try to get a little taste of classic English romance, Austenland is a good one to start with. Austenland is a movie in 2013 that depicts a story of a single woman named Jane Hayes who is in her thirty-something. Austenland is not a Regency era movie but it somehow introduced me to Regency era. So, the story goes like this, Jane Hayes weirdly has obsession over Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice. She then travels to Austenland, a resort which Austen era is recreated in United Kingdom. In Austenland, everything is set up like the 19th-century and no modern technology is allowed. She wishes to find a nice and English gentleman there. There, she meets Martin whom she thinks may be her true love is. But their fling is short-lived because Martin could not bear the fact that Jane is still one of foolish woman who dressed up and pretending to be a Regency dame. So Jane moves her attention to Mr. Nobley, a conceited guy that seems has no interest in her. She falls for him slowly but she rejects him as she is she realizes everything is just for pretend. So she goes back to Martin. But in the end, it turns out everything that happened there is staged. And Martin is also an actor for the whole plan. Disappointed, Jane goes back to her hometown. But, that’s not really the end. Interesting right? I’m not going to finish the story for you. You have to watch the movie because it is really the best.
A scene from Austenland.
As I watched that movie, I just fall in love with everything in the movie. And then I thought “I need to find more movies like this.” So I searched for all Jane Austen’s novels adaptation. Of course, I prefer watching movies than reading books. Afterwards, I found 2005 film, Pride and Prejudice, starred my favourite actress Keira Knightley. Yes, she is pretty gorgeous! That’s added more reasons to watch Pride and Prejudice. Seriously, Pride and Prejudice is the best movie of all time. No matter how much you watch it, you’ll always get excited over it. And eventually you will fall in love with Mr. Darcy who portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen. His haughtiness in the movie somehow is charming for me. Na ah, be careful not to be obsessed like Jane Hayes. I love how Keira brings Elizabeth Bennet’s character alive. I really admire Elizabeth Bennet. She has a smart mouth while still being classy and ladylike. The outspoken and wise mind of her just inspired me. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy debate a lot in the movie which is really interesting and amusing for me. Just please watch it. I won’t spoil the fun for you here! ;)
My favorite scene from Pride and Prejudice
After that, I watch Northanger Abbey TV film, also one of adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel. Northanger Abbey is about a young woman named Catherine Morland starred by Felicity Jones who is so into reading novel which sometimes leads her to confusion between reality and fantasy. Catherine’s love interest in this movie is Henry Tilney, starred by JJ Field. One of the reasons I love this film. JJ Feild is such a sweetheart. Catherine is a good friend to Henry Tilney and Henry’s sister, Eleanor. After a while they spend time together, the siblings and their austere father invite Catherine to their home at Northanger Abbey. Catherine thinks Northanger Abbey looks exactly what she imagined. And she starts to question about Mrs. Tilney’s death. Mrs. Tilney was Henry’s mother. She suspects that Henry’s father has killed Mrs. Tilney. Later on, Catherine is chased out in the middle of the night. Why? Did Henry find out about her suspicion? Well, you got to find out yourself. Will Catherine’s wild imagination be the obstruction to her relationship with Henry? I promise you, you would not be disappointed in this movie.
The charming guy, Mr. Henry Tilney.
Lastly, I recommend you a British period film, Belle. Nope, this is not Belle as in Beauty and the Beast. This Belle is the first mixed-race that lives among the aristocratic. During that particular time, it was unusual for a black to live among the white. This movie is actually based on true story which inspired by a painting in 1779. What I love about this movie is the curiosity and courage of Belle starred by Gugu Mbatha-Raw. In this movie, she is always hidden by his uncle and aunty, Lord and Lady Mansfield despite of her official status in the family. She stands for herself. She feels the need to be unveiled to the society. She also wants to know more about the dead enslaved thrown from the ship. She learns a lot with her love interest, a lawyer, John Davinier portrayed by Sam Reid. Check out the movie for the really satisfying ending.
The fearless Belle.
Overall, I just love everything in the British period era depicts in the movies. The courtesy, garb, language, and manner are all interesting for me. The language is so poetic. You know the kind of language that is used in classic poems. I always learn new words and phrases every time I watch those kinds of movies. Therefore, those are the movies I am really into currently. Still, I’m on mission to find more. If you have suggestions, do drop them in the comment box. Thank you!
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