Northanger Abbey (BBC)
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Movie Reviews of Northanger Abbey (BBC)
Movie Review: A Charming bit of Camp for a Rainy Afternoon
Summary: 2 Stars
As a fan of Mme. Austen, Thomas Hardy, D.H. Lawrence and other sundry novelists of manner, I freely admit to a hopeless addiction to "period" pieces -- and romances, in particular -- and this weakness clearly plays into the VERY generous aforementioned 2-star rating. "Northanger Abbey" is a charming bit of camp for a rainy afternoon, but PLEASE don't expect this movie to be anything like the big-money Hollywood adaptations of Mme. Austen's other works. The acting is over-the-top; the soundtrack, deplorable; and the characters (with the exception of Eleanor) are completely unsympathetic. Catherine is portrayed as an insipid half-wit, rather than a day-dreamy post-adolescent on the verge of womanhood. Peter Firth's Henry Tilney vascilates between compassionate, brotherly concern and annoyingly superior arrogance. By the end of the movie, I had lost all patience with them and was convinced that Henry & Catherine fully deserve the misery they will inevitably wreak upon each other. (This from a romance buff!) Most will give up before the end of the film, but true Austen fans will enjoy the parade of costumes, witty repartee, and the opportunity to daydream about the Regency culture. Watch it or don't -- but if you choose to watch, make sure you do so with a sense of humor and forebearance.Movie Review: Not worth the time to watch
Summary: 2 Stars
Sorry, I know this was shot in 1986, but I don't remember the rest of the films shot that year being THIS technically terrible. The bad effects and film quality are so distracting, it actually makes the movie almost laughable. Not a good quality in any film, let alone a period piece.
I'm not as familiar with this Jane Austen work as some of her others, but if her leading lady is as dreamy as portrayed here with so much internal fantasizing going on, you're going to need a special director to pull it off. I assume she was meant to be portrayed as highly creative, idealistic, unprepared for any sort of reality - instead she seems like a ridiculous, immature twit - or maybe that was the acting. I'd also be surprised if JA created her characters with so little depth or provided them with short, insipid text.
Honestly, I'd try another version. I'm glad there are some because I'd written this one off. Not worth the money, or even the time, to watch.
Movie Review: The Heroine's Wide Eyed Stares Get Very Annoying!
Summary: 2 Stars
I was disappointed with the movie Nothanger Abbey. While I think that Peter Firth is a good actor he unfortunately got stuck acting in a bad movie. My complaints with the movie are the stupid dream scenes, the freaky looking lady with the weird makeup that made her look like a corpse and the weird crescent moon designs on her face and I was also disappointed with the actress who played Catherine. She had the same look on her face to show every kind of emotion. All she did was make these annoing loooks like making her eyes get all big and her mouth drop open into an O shape. Like she had a perpetulal look of wide eyed stares and of looking constantly shocked, startled and surprised. I realize the wide eyed stares were suspoed to show that she was young and innocent but it was annoying and got old fast!Movie Review: Good Book....not so good movie
Summary: 2 Stars
This movie was directed in a very weird fashion. The characters were awkward and the lines seemed cheesy. The weirdest part of all was the music, which was very much modern and not of the time period of the story. This pretty much ruins movies for me. I really enjoy this story though. But there is a newer 2007 version which I think does a much better job of telling the story and making you fall in love with the characters. Plus, the music is very fitting.Movie Review: Mediocre
Summary: 2 Stars
This movie was slightly bearable to watch. I only recommend it for true Jane Austen fans. The problem is not with the plot, but with the horrid acting and directing. It was impossible to like or hate each character, as they all seemed hollow and confused. The dialogue was truly mediocre. The story line was without direction. I only bought it to complete my Jane Austen DVD collection. I was disappointed with this production.