This is a pretty well done adaptation of the Jane Austen novel about a young girl (Fanny Price, played by Frances O'Connor) from a poor family who is sent to grow up with wealthy relatives in the England of the early 1800's.
The story has a "soap-opera" flavour to it as we see, through the eyes of Fanny (often through letters she writes home to her sister Susan (Sophia Myles) the lifestyles of the upper-crust of that era. O'Connor was delightful as Fanny. I hope we see a lot more of her in the future. Equally good was Jonny Lee Miller as Edmund Bertram, who carries on a flirtatious romance with Fanny almost from her first arrival at Mansfield Park (the family estate.) Also offering strong performances were Embeth Davidtz and Allesandro Nivola as Mary and Henry Crawford, a brother and sister who also take up residence at Mansfield Park. Nivola does a good job as Henry, who simply can't understand why he can't convince Fanny to return the feelings he has for her. Davidtz has an impressive screen presence, and although this is never developed, and nothing improper ever happens, there are a couple of scenes in which there is some very powerful and yet innocent eroticism hinted at between Mary and Fanny, which makes you wonder just what goes on behind closed doors at Mansfield Park.
In other words, I liked the movie. It had some problems, mind you. It creeps along a little bit and there are times when you wonder just where this movie wants to go, as the plot seems to meander here and there without establishing a strong direction. Still, it's a pleasant enough journey through early 19th century England, and does include some spectacular shots of the English countryside and seashore. I wouldn't say it's one of the best movies ever made, but it's certainly enjoyable enough.
I rated it 6/10.
The story has a "soap-opera" flavour to it as we see, through the eyes of Fanny (often through letters she writes home to her sister Susan (Sophia Myles) the lifestyles of the upper-crust of that era. O'Connor was delightful as Fanny. I hope we see a lot more of her in the future. Equally good was Jonny Lee Miller as Edmund Bertram, who carries on a flirtatious romance with Fanny almost from her first arrival at Mansfield Park (the family estate.) Also offering strong performances were Embeth Davidtz and Allesandro Nivola as Mary and Henry Crawford, a brother and sister who also take up residence at Mansfield Park. Nivola does a good job as Henry, who simply can't understand why he can't convince Fanny to return the feelings he has for her. Davidtz has an impressive screen presence, and although this is never developed, and nothing improper ever happens, there are a couple of scenes in which there is some very powerful and yet innocent eroticism hinted at between Mary and Fanny, which makes you wonder just what goes on behind closed doors at Mansfield Park.
In other words, I liked the movie. It had some problems, mind you. It creeps along a little bit and there are times when you wonder just where this movie wants to go, as the plot seems to meander here and there without establishing a strong direction. Still, it's a pleasant enough journey through early 19th century England, and does include some spectacular shots of the English countryside and seashore. I wouldn't say it's one of the best movies ever made, but it's certainly enjoyable enough.
I rated it 6/10.