Three "Literary" Films

To start with the least impressive, "Pride & Prejudice", starring Keira Knightley, violates the spirit of the book with impunity. It is a pity that the script writer produced a version moderately faithful initially, but was encouraged by the director to write a script for a younger, more mainstream viewership (read a philistine audience who would not have read the book, & would not have understood it even if they did). The resulting caricature of the characters would have turned the fastidious soul of Jane Austen in her grave.

"To walk Invisible", a film on the Brontes, is like the curate's egg, good in parts. The gimmicky opening & the over emphasis on Branwell's role ruin the balance of the film. The brilliant realisation of the individuality of the sisters is the high point, with their visit to the publisher as the purple patch of the film. The metaphoric comparison of the three sisters to three suns, though a trifle hyperbolic, is heartwarming as their achievement is against all odds.

"Sense & Sensibility" by Ang Lee recalls "the perfection in a little bit of ivory" of Austen's own words. Aided by a faithful script & abetted by a stellar cast of Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet & Alan Rickman, Lee produces what can only be called "an inspired film". It is curious to note that two actors, who played negative roles of Prof. Snape & Prof. Umbridge in the Potter films, have here essayed the Dobbinesque role of Col. Brandon & the doting mother of a baby role of Mrs. Palmer respectively!

Notes: 'Curate's egg' refers to a celebrated Punch cartoon, where a poor curate dependant on the goodwill of the vicar, says that a rotten egg served to him 'is good in parts'!

'Dobbinesque' refers to an iconic character William Dobbin in Thackeray's "Vanity Fair" whose disinterested love for Amelia Sedley has become a byword for unselfish love devoted only towards ensuring the happiness of the beloved without any expectation of reward.