"Lost in Austen" film (2008)

The other day, I went on Hulu and squealed like a little girl. They've begun showing a TV mini-series called "Lost in Austen"! At first I thought it was this (a choose-your-own-adventure version of Pride & Prejudice, which I love), but really it's this (a UK movie from 2008).

So of course, I gleefully snuggled in to watch the first episode. I made a point of asking my boyfriend if he cared to join me, but he said, very skeptically, "Jane Austen? I've never read any of his books."

That's not a typo. I wish it was.

And with that, the boyfriend turned back to his video game. But that's okay, I was just being polite. I didn't really want to watch it with him anyway... it's a girl's movie.

It's a classic story: girl tells her no-account boyfriend to eff off for the night, pours herself a glass of wine, and cozies up on the couch in her bathrobe with a good novel... P&P of course...

Then, surprise! She finds Lizzie Bennett standing in her bathtub (wearing a nightie) among her hanging hosiery & underthings...

So with that, they switch places (not identities, just places). Miss Price comes to Longbourn and  interacts with its inhabitants, sleeps in Lizzie's bed, etc., until such point as she can re-open the door in the attic (servant's quarters) which opens into... the bathtub of her own London flat.

Yeah, it's WTF. But look, Miss Price has such a cute haircut and leather jacket and boots! Lizzie is so refreshingly present! Until she isn't anymore, of course, because she's in London and Price is in Meryton.

More WTF: this is how you brush your teeth. Of course

A modern girl exploring Longbourn, poking about in Lizzie's bedroom?? It's my absolute wet dream. Okay, it's a bit unrealistically well-lit and squeaky-clean for my tastes, but it's a decent Longbourn. Other environments are more convincing: Netherfield, the country dance, the rustic outdoors...

It's Bing! 

For comparison, here's Bingley from the 2005 version with Keira Knightley. Both are equally hot, but I think I still prefer the ginger? It's a toss-up

Here, have some some great lines from the first episode that had me cracking up:

• Upon Mary & Kitty offering to bring Price more firewood for her bedroom (in the form of "faggots"): "I'm alright for faggots, thank you."
• Wakes up next morning with Lydia in bed with her, Price gets asked: "What preparation do you use on your hair? It's quite pungent."
• Oh, and there's a definite LOL moment when she flashes Lydia her "landing strip": "What have you done to yourself?" (giggling) -- "Public topiary," Miss Price mutters.
• And why's she wearing...breeches? "Otter hunting kit," is the prompt reply.
• She also sneaks out of the dance at Netherfield Hall to smoke a quick cigarette. You know, 'cuz of stress. Not very ladylike, but quite a sexy scene.

  

 

Meeting Charlotte Lucas at church! Yay

• And when they dress Miss Price up like a proper Regency lady?? Ohh, I love it! The hats, the ribbons!  Her curious question: "How d'you get those...ringlets?"
• And there are a few deliciously awkward moments when she confuses everyone with her oracular powers -- or crassness -- or totally bizarre vocabulary -- ex., after a long pause: "What's a sandwich?" queries one of the younger sisters (I forget who).

Darcy himself. Our first tantalizing glance... denied. Then, when you actually see Darcy's face? Ugh, he's a handsome, arrogant devil. Those sneering lips...!

Mr. Bennet at his hobbies, being harassed by his shrill wife, as per usual. He was the only actor I recognized... mainly because he's on Downton Abbey now...

Look at how perfectly they cast Mary! She's so homely, it's glorious

Yes, I am exceedingly pleased with how well-written and funny this show is. I will be watching future episodes as they become available. Possibly forcing my boyfriend to do the same, also. I've never forced him watch a chick flick before, now I say it's high time he pays his dues.

Other points in this show's favor: 

• The redemption of Mrs. Bennet: yeah, she still cries all the time, but here, she's also a real "ball-breaker," and you can tell she'd do anything to protect her girls. And get them married.
• You hear neat little side-stories... like when Mr. Bennet reminisces about how he taught Lizzie to fly a kite when she was a child. So sweet.
• Since Price is a such a huge fan of the book, everything's very meta, very cleverly self-referential. At one point she absentmindedly muses to (an understandably puzzled) Jane that they "had to change the shape of Colin Firth's head with makeup" to turn him into Mr. Darcy. LOLs were had.
• In the preview for the next episode, Caroline Bingley observes, "Miss Price just assaulted Mr. Collins." I frankly don't need any more reason to watch than that.