Age & infirmity

“'Colonel Brandon is certainly younger than Mrs. Jennings, but he is old enough to be my father; and if he were ever animated enough to be in love, must have long outlived every sensation of the kind.  It is too ridiculous!  When is a man to be safe from such wit if age and infirmity will not protect him?’”

Marianne again on Colonel Brandon’s advanced age of thirty-five, reflecting on his “advanced years and on his forlorn condition of an old bachelor”
Sense & Sensibility, volume 1, chapter 8

I think I could put up with Colonel Brandon's age and infirmity.

I didn't get to see S&S last night.  Between puppy-sitting this weekend, and a deadline this morning (which I missed - ack!), my weekend went by too fast.  Hoping to watch it tonight.  Did you love it -- hate it?  I did catch the very beginning today over lunch, and thought the opening scene would be a bit confusing if you didn't know the story and already know who that was.

Comments

[Gina]

Not bad on the whole, though you're right about that first scene. I had forgotten whom the adapter was, but as soon as I saw that, I thought, "Oh, it's Davies." :-)

I must say I liked this Edward better than the Hugh Grant version. I'm not a big Hugh fan, besides which he struck me as extremely stiff in the role. This guy did much better. But I was missing Alan Rickman, though his replacement did pretty well. (I'll fight you for Brandon. ;-) ) However, I didn't think it worked that well here to have him more interested in music and the arts than the original Brandon. It took away a lot of the initial obstacles there were supposed to be between him and Marianne.

Willoughby looked way too much like Edmund Blackadder -- or Mr. Bean for those who prefer -- for me to take him at all seriously. Every time he appeared I kept expecting Baldrick to pop up.

The ladies all did pretty well, especially little Margaret!

By the way, do you have any idea why on earth the Dashwood girls would call their sister-in-law "aunt"? Just a weird slip-up on Andrew Davies's part?

[Arti]

Lori: I couldn't help but compare the new S&S with the 1995 movie as I was watching it last night. I've posted a review on it. You're most welcome to stop by. BTW, I'm very excited to learn of the UK edition of your book...Congrats!

[Lora Lynn]

I wanted to hate it, but I didn't. I actually really enjoyed it. They got to flesh out the characters and the dilemma much more than the 1995 version.

[karen]

Hi...I am new to the site. Lori, I picked up your book at my local library and liked it so much I already ordered it from Amazon! WARNING: I must admit to not being a total Jane Austen fan. Actually not at all...ignorance, I guess. It seems like everyone I know LOVES her, but I have never gotten into either her books or the films based on her books. I almost feel as though I suffer through the films in an effort to understand her appeal, and then I leave the theater and tell my friends "Yes it was great!", but in fact I just didn't get it. Maybe I'm not high-brow enough, which is a definite possibility! Forgive me my lack of love for Jane Austen, but I am going to try to learn to love her! Another thing...I really don't want to become a fan just because it seems the thing to do. Lori, your book inspired me to give Jane a chance! Thank you - Karen

[lizziemma knightley]

I was VERY pleasantly surprised by S&S. I thouroughly approved of it all except for Willoughby who looked like an oafish pig and sat there wondering "Marianne, what are you seeing in this guy?" But overall very good and can't wait for next Sunday.

[Lori Smith]

Yeah -- I'm not a huge fan of this Willoughby either. I actually watched the first part and wasn't entirely thriled, but more on that soon (I hope!).

Gina -- I have no idea why they would have called their sister-in-law "aunt." Strange.

Karen -- what a lovely compliment. I'm thrilled to entice you into the world of Austen!

[Mary]

Well I really love the Ang Lee version with its wonderful cast. I like this Edward better but Willoughby's a geek. I think this version does a nice job of showing the difference in their lifestyle after the father dies. That cottage looked so cold and drafty. Missed quite a bit when my dish went out during a bad storm.