Don’t you love a happy ending? Sigh. The ending of Pride and Prejudice is wonderful.
What Darcy does for Elizabeth is such a beautiful picture of redemption. I love how we see a completely different side of Darcy as it is slowly revealed through the various scenes how much he loves Elizabeth and the lengths he will go to in order to protect her.
There are so many great scenes in this last section. Elizabeth and Lady Catherine having it out in the pretty sort of wilderness. Darcy’s concern for Elizabeth when he finds her just after she reads Jane’s letters. Mr. Bennett reading to Lizzy from Mr. Collins’ letter regarding the rumors. Mr. Darcy’s second proposal on their walk.
Well, I’ll let some of you go first and then I’ll jump into the conversation with some of my favorite scenes and lines from the entire production. What do you love about P&P?
The more simple question to answer, Sally, would be: What DON’T I love about P&P? And that answer would be: absolutely nothing! 🙂 What a classic film!
Darcy and Elizabeth looking across the room at each other at Pemberly, while Darcy’s sister plays the piano. Then Darcy comes back to the room at night with a candle, just to stand and revisit that moment.
Mr. Collins coming to console the Bennet sisters, all the while shaming them, and Lissie finally explaining to him that he really shouldn’t be seen with them, so he should leave.
Elizabeth sweetly walking with Wickham after his marriage, then telling him, in so many words, “Look, I’ve got the goods on you, so don’t mess with me.”
Darcy looming over Wickham in the church right before the marriage.
Jane putting her hand on Lizzies’ to calm her while Collins is pontificating over their tragedy.
Kitty looking in the window to see if Collins was still there!
Darcy’s angry “What!” to the Bingley sisters questioning him about his preference for Lizzie.
Mr. Bennet’s teasing Jane about how her life will be with Bingley.
His concern that Lizzie truly does like and love Darcy.
I just love the entire movie and book, but Darcy’s ‘redemption’ in forcing Wickham and Lydia’s shotgun wedding is by far my favorite act.
How he ‘ardently admires’ Lizzie is still a favorite as well – he is so incredibly passionate about his love for her, without being lustful. *swoons*
Now, to those who didn’t like Mr. Darcy last week, can you see why he is such a perennial favorite this week? 🙂
The end of this movie is so great.
Favorite scenes:
When Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are looking and smiling at each other when Mr. Bingley and his whole group are at Pemberly.
The way Mr Darcy takes care of the situation with Lydia and Wickham for Elizabeth.
The way she doesn’t get intimidated by Lady Catherine. I always wish I could keep my head and handle difficult situations like she did there.
Favorite quotes:
Mr. Bennet: “For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors and laugh at them in our turn?”
Mrs. Bennet to Mr. Bennet:”You take delight and vexing me. You have no compassion on my poor nerves.”
Mr. Bennet: “You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They have been my constant companion these twenty years.”
Mr. Bennet about Mr. Wickham: “He simpers and smirks and makes love to us all.” I like this because I know people who act like this and think others can’t see through their schemes.
I think Mr. Bennet is funny and the actor who plays him in this version does a wonderful job.
My favorite lines are where Mr Bennett is talking with Jane about her upcoming marriage to Bingley, and how they are both so easy going that the servants will take advantage of them and nothing will ever be decided…
I’ve always like the scene where Mrs. Bennett is thrilled that Mr. Bennett called on Mr. Bingley and says, “Nothing you say will ever vex me again!” and Mr. Bennett says, “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Valerie (#5), Sallie and I had a conversation about which part we’d want to play if we were in the production and I said I’d love to play Mr. Bennett. He has a great collection of one-liners and reactions to situations.
I get a kick of how many times he says “read on” when Lizzie and Jane read the letter from Uncle Gardner.
Lizzie: “Shelves in the closet? Happy thought, indeed!”
Lady Catherine waxing on about her high-brow taste in music, finishing with “and if I had ever learned, I should have been a true proficient!”
Charlotte explaining to Lizzie how she encourages Mr. Collins to spend as much time outside as possible – for his health, of course.
David, my dh ONLY watches P&P because of Mr. Bennet!
Andrea,
I do see how Darcy has improved, and it was great to see him change. Very much like Ruth and Boaz-except that Boaz was kind right from the start.
Still can’t say Darcy is my favorite. Henry Tilney still retains that position.
Oh Abrianna –
I forgot about Henry Tilney! I’m not teaching any lit courses this semester, so I’ve been focusing on my library science readings… Austen wrote a great many men for her stories.
And David, I have to agree with you about Mr. Bennet – some critics really dislike him for his one liner tendency, that being compounded by their perception that he is ‘run’ by his wife and the plot line. Frankly, he reminds me so much of my father, I can’t help but not love his character! (And no, Mrs. Bennet is not like my mother!)
The nerves comment is one of my favorite lines, both in the story and the movie. 😉