Masterpiece Theatre: Northanger Abbey
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Movie Reviews of Masterpiece Theatre: Northanger Abbey
Movie Review: Good, but seemed rushed
Summary: 4 Stars
I pretty much like all Jane Austen movies, and I had never seen this book made into film. It was good, and I enjoyed it. The acting, costuming, etc. were all fine. This movie seemed rushed to me, even the speeches of the actors seemed hurried. I liked it and will watch it again, but I would have liked for more length and a slowdown of the action, especially since I found the characters so appealing.Movie Review: Andrew Davies Wins Again
Summary: 5 Stars
Scriptwriter Andrew Davies here shows the skill that was so effective in his 1995 adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice." With only 90 minutes at his disposal, he manages to include all essential characterization and plot. As in any adaptation, a lot of the elements that make a Jane Austen novel what it is -- wit, language, satire -- had to be omitted or given short shrift (her fun with the poseurs in Bath, for instance). There is some fun with Catherine's vivid imagination, stoked by her avid reading of Gothic novels, but it isn't altogether clear that Austen was making fun of such novels, which were extremely popular at the time she wrote her novel.
On the whole, the cast is adequate, and Felicity Jones as Catherine and JJ Feild as Henry are considerably more than that, followed closely by Catherine Walker as Eleanor and Liam Cunningham as General Tilney.
Movie Review: Enjoyable movie
Summary: 4 Stars
I truely enjoyed this version, and think it is a very plesant way to spend some time. Very well done by all involved.Movie Review: An engaging, improved adaptation with excellent casting.
Summary: 4 Stars
This most recent adaptation of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey is an improvement over the rather cheesy [though still entertaining] 1986 adaptation, and is well-cast. It is rather hard to review the movie adaptations of Austen's works as too much is lost when the novel is chopped down to fit into a specific time limit, in this case about 90 minutes. But, director Jon Jones has done an admirable job of staying true to the essence of Austen's work without losing too much of its original flavor in cutting out parts of the novel.
The casting is well-done - J.J. Feild is consummate as the 'almost handsome' Henry Tilney [though I personally found him to be quite a dish myself]. Felicity Jones plays the role of Catherine Morland to perfection -equal parts naive, and yet able to see through artifice in people. Cary Mulligan as the trampy Isabella Thorpe shows much promise and is very convincing in her role. Liam Cunningham as the mercenary General Tilney makes a compellingly brooding and villanous character. The other roles are suitably cast as well.
There is much to commend about this adaptation besides the casting - the musical score captures the gothic feel of the novel, especially in the fantasy sequences, and the cinematography is gorgeous. The scenes of Northanger Abbey especially truly evoke a romantic and mysterious feel, and credit surely must go to the able camerawork & direction. Considering that Jane Austen was very descriptive about Northanger Abbey in her novel, the particular attention that is paid in 'showing' the viewer the interior and exterior of the building is very much appreciated.
Purists will have problems with the liberties taken with the novel, and I do personally feel that this production was unnecessarily sexed-up, but on the whole I do think that this is a much improved adaptation than the 1986 version, and also well-made and acted. I would highly recommend it to all Austen fans and those who love period dramas.
Movie Review: Okay version
Summary: 2 Stars
I don't think this version was as good as the version with Peter Firth playing Mr. Tilney. There wasn't a lot of chemistry between the main characters.