Friday Caption Contest

I am very pleased to announce that this week's winner is. . . Guitargirl, for her hilarious reference to a certain incident involving Kanye West and Taylor Swift. 

Congratulations, Guitargirl! And a big thank you to everyone who entered. Thanks, guys! 

"Yo Harriet. I'm really happy for you and I gonna let you finish, but Emma is one of the best painters of all time."

~~~~~

I am trying to reduce my usage of LOLs and smilies (they contribute to global warming!!), but now would seem an appropriate time to insert one or two well-deserved LOLs. . . 

LOL!!! LOL LOL LOL :-D 

~~~~~

Ahem. And now, time for this week's picture.

Hugh Laurie as poor Mr. Palmer, in Sense and Sensibility 1995.

Voting now open!

*Sighs*. . . I feel guilty. For the last week or so, I have posted precious little that isn't related to this caption contest-thingy. Then again, perhaps I should be grateful that I came up with the idea for this thing in the first place, because if I hadn't, there probably would have been even less new posts here lately. Oh well. . . 

But I really must say thank you to you all - the response to this caption contest has been wonderful, much bigger and more enthusiastic than I expected. :-)

This week's entries:

1. Mr. Elton: "You've made my nose too big!"

2. "It's lovely, really! Really. Er...what is it?"

3. "Um, and it's supposed to be what exactly?"

4. "Yo Harriet. I'm really happy for you and I gonna let you finish, but Emma is one of the best painters of all time."

5. Mr Elton: "Ew,What is THAT!" Harriet: "Oh, I'm just painting what I feel!"

6. Mr. Elton.: "You can never get his nose right!!!"

7. "And I suspect that to the left is ah, let me guess? A tree? Ah I see it now. You may Miss Smith improve by taking Miss Woodhouse's excellent tutorledge. Now let us go see what beauty Miss Woodhouse has captured on her easel!"

8. Mr. Elton: "That bush looks funny, the cows look funny. Why not paint a picture of me? After all I'm so much more paintalistic and I'm good for posing!" Harriet smith whispers: "Yeah right! He's like soooooooo not!"

9. Mr Elton: "You've got that wrong...and that...and that!" Harriet: "Would you like to take the paint brush?" Mutters "know-it-all"

10. "I'm afraid you colored outside the lines there..."

11. "You should have put a bigger nose on him!"

12. Mr Elton: "What is that"? Harriet: "A self portrait of course!" Mr Elton "Oh yes yes...See with that hair, I thought it was a poodle"!

13. "Oh dear! Uh... Are you SURE that's the color you want to use?!"

14. Harriet: "Oh dear, a blank canvas is so daunting!" Mr. E: "Just start - here!"

15. Mr Elton: "A portrait of Miss Woodhouse and...Mr Knightley?!!" Harriet: "I know; isn't he handsome?"

~~~~~

See the poll on my sidebar to vote. Remember, you can vote for more than one caption!

Friday Caption Contest

And last week's winner is. . .

Elinor Dashwood, of Hooks and Needles! Congratulations!

Feel free to put this button on your blog, if you wish. :-)

And now, time for this week's picture. . . 

Mr. Elton (Blake Ritson) and Harriet Smith (Louise Dylan) from Emma 2009

Once again, please leave a comment to enter your caption!

~~~~~

And dear readers, I'm sorry I haven't posted much this week. I have a couple of ideas for posts. . . but I know that once I start writing on one of these topics, I'll find it hard to stop, and will end up spending hours punching away on my laptop - and I don't have the time or energy for that right now, LOL! Sometime this week, I promise. . . 

Emma 2009: my verdict

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty much all Austened-up and Austened-out for now. I think this will be the last Austen-themed post for a while.

I've been a bit hesitant to write this post, partly because my opinions of new Austen adaptations inevitably change over time. . . I suppose all I can do is write down what I think of Emma '09 now, even though (like I said) my opinion is bound to change. Ideally, I would have liked to have watched it a second time before writing my verdict, but I don't really have four hours to spare right now. . . 

The cast: I thought about 70% of the actors in this series were well-cast. 10% were hopelessly miscast, and the remaining 20% were not exactly miscast, but. . . but - they didn't seem perfect for their roles, either. I'm thinking of the two leads in particular - Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller. In spite of my early misgivings , JLM was really pretty good as Mr. Knightley, but I think most of you will agree he didn't look like Mr. Knightley. . . even though his acting was good, he just wasn't the Knightley that I imagine when I read the book. 

Romola Garai is a good actress, and she did well as Emma, but her gestures and mannerisms really bothered me! She went over-the-top with her facial expressions, and her posture was so bad - she had this annoying habit of hunching her shoulders forward, giving her an awkward, ungainly appearance. I know they were aiming for a "modern" feel with this production, but I would have been very grateful if they could had the cast's deportment a little more accurate for the period. . . maybe it sounds like I'm nitpicking here, but it was just something that annoyed me throughout the series.

The rest of the cast were mostly good - though I wasn't entirely convinced by Laura Pyper's Jane Fairfax. She was very sweet, but she seemed too small and mousy - more like a Harriet Smith than a Jane Fairfax. Rupert Evans was okay as Frank Churchill. . . better than Ewan McGregor, anyway. 

I really loved Mr. and Mrs. John Knightley in this adaptation. This is the only version in which we get to see much of them. The other real stand-out was Christina Cole as Mrs. Elton - she played this part almost to perfection, snobby and obnoxious and unwittingly hilarious. Blake Ritson was excellent as Mr. Elton. Michael Gambon was good as Mr. Woodhouse, but this certainly wasn't his most memorable role in a BBC costume drama (think Wives and Daughters or Cranford). 

I admit I was quite disappointed by Sandy Welch's screenplay. After her brilliant scripts for Our Mutual Friend and North and South (and an okay one for Jane Eyre) I was expecting something really special. . . I mean, a screenplay for a Jane Austen movie written by someone other than Andrew Davies? Of course I was looking forward to seeing what the translation from novel to screen would be like. Like I said, I was disappointed. Only a relatively small amount of Austen's dialogue was retained, and I was also disappointed by the proposal scene and the "badly done, Emma" scene. They didn't seem nearly as powerful or as poignant as they were in the two 1996 adaptations.

It's a big-budget BBC costume drama, so of course the production values were high. Costumes, music, filming locations. . . all were gorgeous, but. . . it just seemed a bit too sanitized, too flawless. Would Mrs. Goddard's school really have been as vast or as beautiful as it is in this production? I don't know, I just found all of the perfect gardens and perfect country homes to be a bit stifling after a while. . . I was crying out for some dirt, some disorder, some brooding skies. I guess it's the Bronte side of me coming out, LOL. . . 

But in spite of all of my quibbles, I really did enjoy it. It may not be the definitive Emma we were hoping for, but it is still definitely worth watching, particularly since it includes quite a few scenes from the book that weren't in the 1996 adaptations. My prediction was correct - sort of. Like Sense and Sensibility 2008, it's not brilliant, but it's good. I'll probably end up buying the DVD in spite of myself.

Emma episode 4

Is now online! (I haven't had time to watch it yet - maybe tonight. . . )

Emma episode 3. . .

. . .is now uploaded! 

Episode 2 of Emma. . .

. . .HERE!

For Janeites outside of the UK. . .

You can now watch the first episode of Emma on Youtube OR on the Tudorphiles Ning group. Enjoy :-). (Edit - to try to stop it being taken off YT, I am no longer giving a direct link. If you'd like the Youtube link, please email me!)

Here are some of Your's Truly's thoughts on the first episode. . . sorry this isn't very polished, I just jotted it down in a hurry on a forum. . . 

~~~~~

Okay - I watched it yesterday and - I have to say - I can only be lukewarm about the first episode (let's hope the series improves in later episodes). It's not shockingly bad, but it's not that good either. At least, I didn't think it was. 

I liked the first five minutes - very interesting and original to give a brief glimpse of Emma's, Jane's and Frank's childhoods. I don't think any other Jane Austen adaptation has done this - aside from Mansfield Park, of course.

As for the following 55 minutes - it would have worked so much better if Sandy Welch had used at least some of Austen's dialogue! I'm currently rereading the book, and I'm guessing that only 15-20% of the dialogue in episode 1 is actually from Austen.

Romola Garai as Emma is okay - ditto JLM as Mr. Knightley. If Emma's character seems slightly distorted, it's probably the fault of the director and screenwriter, not Romola. Only - I think they're taking the "modern" gestures and mannerisms too far here. They seem to have forgotten that a girl like Emma would have been taught to deport herself properly, walking, moving, and speaking with grace.

The only real standout from the rest of the cast was Tamsin Greig as Miss Bates. The other cast members were all perfectly adequate in their parts, without any real passion or brilliance.

It just seems like a rather soul-less adaptation so far. However, it will probably grow on me, and I'm sure the next few episodes will be better.

~~~~~

- But don't let that put you off from watching it! Watch it, then let me know what you thought!

At this very moment, on the other side of the world. . .

It is currently 9:32 pm in the UK. In other words, Janeites from all over Britain are tuned in to Emma, on BBC1 - halfway through the first episode by now.

If you're in the UK, and you're reading this, please give us your verdict!!

One more Emma vid. . .

This is a video review from the Telegraph, and it features several new clips from the first episode of Emma.

Emma 2009: just one more day!

I've been interested in (and slightly apprehensive of) this adaptation for some time (as I'm sure you're all aware :P). But now I'm starting to get genuinely excited, after reading this article on AustenBlog.

The BBC have released a "behind the scenes" video (see above), and the official Emma website has also been launched.

Here's the article written for AustenBlog by Tim Bullamor, editor of Jane Austen's Regency World magazine.

Bright colours, stunning settings, vivid lighting and exquisite characterisation are the watchwords of the BBC’s new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma. The first two hour-long episodes were shown – without a single break – to an invited audience at the Curzon Cinema in the West of London tonight.

Jane Austen’s Regency World magazine was the only press on the guest list, and with a seat immediately behind leading lady Romola Garai – who spoke to us afterwards – we were in an ideal spot as the lights dimmed.

Within the first 15 seconds the audience is moved from delight – as baby Emma Woodhouse appears – to the verge of tears, as her mother is poignantly nailed into a coffin. The arrival of the governess Miss Taylor (Jodi May) and the early-years departure of Frank Churchill (Rupert Evans when he returns in adulthood) and Jane Fairfax are dealt with swiftly. Before then the silhouettes based on the Edward Austen-Leigh drawings are intermingled with the opening credits.

From then on Garai steals the show, reaching a climax in her furious row with Mr Knightley (Jonny Lee Miller). Her manipulation of Harriet Smith (Louise Dylan) is only rivalled for its clever characterisation by the constant worry and anxiety of Mr Woodhouse (Michael Gambon).

Garai’s salmon-coloured clothing may not to be the taste of all purists, nor will Jane Fairfax’s (Laura Pyper) attack on the pianoforte – not to mention her choice of music – at the Coles’ party please connoisseurs. The film’s etiquette adviser, sitting next to me, was none too pleased that her advice on Georgian tables manners had not always been followed. But these are mere quibbles: even as we supped wine afterwards the producer George Ormond was contemplating a couple of changes ahead of Sunday’s nationwide broadcast of the first episode on BBC One (9pm).

Much hangs on the emotions, the sparring and the facial expressions – at which Garai is a true master. In some respects these are more pronounced and informal than many TV adaptations of historic novels, and we anticipate a range of critical reactions. As Emma contemplates her own foolishness we see her reflection in a mirror, examining her conscience. And her utter horror when, in the carriage, Mr Elton (Blake Ritson) declares his affection for her, is a fantastic piece of dramatisation.

Sandy Welch, who wrote the screenplay, has waited a dozen or more years to bring this project to fruition. That wait has been worthwhile. At times you feel that the BBC could have done with another three months to work on Emma – editing of episodes 3 and 4 is not yet finished, yet they are due to be broadcast on October 18 and 25 – but the overall effect is that this is a memorable adaptation and one that will long be treasured by Austen fans. [Let's hope so!]

For the full story, including conversations with Romola Garai, the producer George Ormond and behind the scenes stories, see the November/December issue of Jane Austen’s Regency World.

UPDATE: thanks Charleybrown! :-) There was a feature in The Radio Times this week about Emma 09. This blogger has uploaded scans of the article. Isn't Romola's floral dress in those publicity photos just too gorgeous? I'm so jealous. . . 

A gazillion more Emma 09 pics. . .

Okay, not quite a gazillion - try 24. :P Here is a selection of new publicity pics. To view them all, click here.

Tamsin Greig as Miss Bates

Robert Bathurst as Mr. Weston

Rupert Evans as Frank Churchill. Not sure if he's cute enough to be Frank. . . we'll see. At any rate, he'll be better than Ewan McGregor - the dreadful wigs poor Ewan was made to wear in Emma 1996. . . *shudders*

Christina Cole as the EVIL Mrs. Elton. Well, maybe not evil - just - obnoxious. . . 

Emma and Mr. Knightley. . . is JLM really taller than Romola Garai, or is he just standing on a box for these shots? Because Romola is quite a tall girl. . .

Michael Gambon as Mr. Woodhouse

Jodhi May as Mrs. Weston

Harriet Smith (Louise Dylan) is so pretty. . . :-) 

I'm assuming this is Harriet's Mr. Martin.

Blake Ritson as Mr. Elton

Romola Garai again, looking lovely, as usual

~~~~~

Once again, to view all of my Emma photos in high resolution, click here.

Still no pictures of Laura Pyper as Jane Fairfax! 

Emma 2009 publicity shots

The first episode of the BBC's new 4-part adaptation of Emma will air on October 4th! Only 17 days away! The countdown begins. . . :P Of course, us poor folk in Australia and America will have to wait a good deal longer to see it on TV.

Here are all the publicity photos that have been released so far. . . one of them is high-res, the others I could only find in low-resolution.

From LadyBlueLake. Click here to view full-size.

From Romola-Garai.com

From Romola-Garai.com

From the BBC

Watch the trailer for Emma 2009!

There's a new mini-trailer of sorts for Emma 2009 on the BBC's website. Click here to see it!

My thoughts: looking at this, I predict that this new adaptation will be on a similar level to Sense and Sensibility 2008. - A good Austen adaptation, but not quite on par with the BBC's recent period drama masterpieces - like North and South and Cranford.

And what on EARTH is up with Emma's proposing to Mr. Knightley?? Mr. Knightley 's proposal to Emma is absolutely adorable - my favourite part of the book!

Well. Go and watch it, then come back and tell me what you think!

Current Mood: Contemplative

EDIT: I've watched the trailer again a couple of times, and it's clear that Emma isn't really proposing to Mr. Knightley. . . however, I'm still a bit concerned about that scene!

Photos of the new Mr. Knightley

For more photos of Jonny Lee Miller/Mr. Knightley on set, click here.

Current Mood: Blank

Photos from the set of Emma 2009

Click here to view the photos at The Republic of Pemberley.

Romola Garai and Jodhi May are both looking gorgeous! I love the colour scheme for the costumes - very autumn-ish. The BBC are planning to air Emma '09 in autumn this year - that's in the northern hemisphere, of course.

Still no sign of Mr. Knightley/Jonny Lee Miller. . .

Current mood: Moody

Emma 2009: filming started!

Chilham, Kent, currently being used as the backdrop for the BBC's new Emma adaptation.

Yep, they've started shooting! Click here to watch a video of the set. What a gorgeous setting! Perfect for Highbury. :-) What do you all think of the costumes? From what I've seen, they look gorgeous!

Current Mood: Impressed

Emma 2009 cast update: Part III

I hope you're not getting sick of all the Emma updates. . . 

Blake Ritson (Edmund Bertram in Mansfield Park 2007) will play Mr. Elton. My first thought when I heard this was "No! He looks way too nice to be Mr. Elton!" - I wasn't overly impressed by his acting in MP07, but he was admittedly very good-looking. . . too good-looking to be Mr. Elton, I thought. . . but then, I suppose Mr. Elton is supposed to be handsome. I'm still not sure about this one, though.

Christina Cole (Caroline Bingley in Lost in Austen, Blanche Ingram in Jane Eyre 2006) will play Mrs Elton. I think she'll be perfect. :-)


Rupert Evans (Frederick Hale in North and South) will play Frank Churchill. Yes, yes, yes!! He's got just got just right balance of charm and roguishness to play Frank. Let's just hope they don't give him a horrible wig like they did to the Frank Churchills in the 1996 versions.

Laura Pyper will play Jane Fairfax. I really don't know much about this actress at all. She has a very delicate kind of beauty - quite different to the other Jane Fairfaxes we've seen. I'll be interested to see her perfermance in this production.

Louise Dylan will play Harriet Smith. She looks perfect for the part. :-)

So - I'm thrilled with pretty much all of these casting choices, except maybe Blake Ritson. Still, he might turn out to be okay as Mr. Elton. 

Thoughts?

Current Mood: Hopeful

Emma 2009 cast: Update

Have a look at this press release from the BBC. It announces the casting of:

Jodhi May as Mrs. Weston

Robert Bathurst as Mr. Weston

and Tamsin Greig as Miss Bates.

I am delighted with the casting of Jodhi May as Mrs. Weston. I thought she was amazing - and absolutely beautiful! - as Mirah Lapidoth in Daniel Deronda. As for the other two actors - I can't say I've ever heard of either of them. . . although apparently Robert Bathurst plays one of the characters in an old version of Wind in Willows that I've seen. . . not sure if that really counts, though. Anyways, they both look right, which is good, of course. BUT JONNY LEE MILLER TOTALLY DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT AS MR. KNIGHTLEY!!! *Sulks* Why? Why, why, why did they cast him as Knightley. . . :-(((

For a more complete, comprehensive, coherent post about this, head over to Old Fashioned Charm.  You could also check out the post at Austenblog.

Current Mood: Angry

(angry with the BBC for casting JLM.)

Emma 2009: Cast announced!!!

Well, some of the cast anyway.

*Romola Garai (Daniel Deronda, Amazing Grace) will play Emma Woodhouse

*Jonny Lee Miller (Edmund Bertram in Mansfield Park 1999)  will play Mr. Knightley

*Sir Michael Gambon (way too many movies to list here) has been cast as Mr. Woodhouse, Emma's father.

My thoughts: Romola Garai - yes, yes, YES! A perfect casting choice! I think she'll be absolutely wonderful as Emma, and I'm sure Michael Gambon will be lovely as Mr. Woodhouse; but I am DECIDEDLY UNDERWHELMED with Jonny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley. I am really extremely disappointed. :-((((

So, what do you all think???

Romola Garai, Jonny Lee Miller, and Michael Gambon in Cast of Emma 2009 | AustenBlog

Romola Garai to play Emma in BBC's latest Jane Austen adaptation | Telegraph.co.uk

Current Mood: Disappointed