Mansfield Park

Rating:
Summary: Awful
Review: This movie is horrible, the acting is flat. You never get an in-depth characterization. The movie is too short for that. Why did they have to drag in so much filth (oral sex with slaves)? If you want to see a superb version of Mansfield Park, get the BBC version!

Rating:
Summary: Just An Average Romantic Period Drama....
Review: If you're looking for a faithful adaptation of the Jane Austen classic, then you're bound to be dissapointed with this film. However, if, like me, you don't like to miss out on ANY romantic period drama with a beautiful cast and costumes, then you may want to pick up this video.

PLUS POINTS of the movie as I see it:-

1) great chemistry between the heroine, Fanny Price and her 2 suitors i.e. Henry Crawford (or "the rake", as Fanny calls him) and Edmund Bertram (the kind cousin whom Fanny secretly loves). I personally enjoy the scenes involving Fanny and Henry Crawford (rake or no rake) because he's truly in love with her and tries so hard (and in so many romantic ways) to win her heart.

2) gorgeous costumes, lavish balls, lovely music and romantic waltzes.

3) brilliant acting all around and a beautiful cast (including Frances O'Connor's "Fanny Price", Jonny Lee Miller and Justine Waddell).

The movie's not without its FLAWS, EVEN IGNORING the fact that the screenplay deviates quite heavily from the Austen novel:-

1) After watching the movie, I begin to see some of the other reviewers' points of view on the total lack of neccessity in introducing the subject of "slavery" into the story. This sub- sub plot is very incoherent and jars terribly with the overall story and also takes away some of the pleasures of enjoying this supposedly light-hearted romance. Also, since the "issue" is left "hanging" (unresolved) in the end after its brutal introduction, what's the point of the director introducing it in the first place?

2) The few scenes in which Fanny Price literally "speaks" to the camera is truly irritating and unreal. A voice-over would've been preferred so that the effect is more believable and doesn't seem as "weird".

3) I can't understand why the Fanny Price here (who's sweet- natured, kindly and charming throughout the movie) all of a sudden exhibits a Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde personality during the LAST scene, when she LOOKS triumphantly (and with an almost evil-like smile) into the camera while in the arms of the man she finally secures. Weird.

This movie would've been perfect with such an able cast and a great Austen classic to adapt from, but under the direction of Patricia Rozema (who unfortunately also adapted the screenplay), the movie is reduced to just another average and unmemorable period piece which fails to soar.

Rating:
Summary: Projection!
Review: I'm not one of those that views original source material as sacred text, where interpretation is limited to costume and set design. So many claim Austen's sensibilities for their own that it becomes more interesting to see these interesting ideas.

As for me, I like my Austen a little grotty (my favorite Austen-flick being "Persuarsion"), so the grim and disturbing looking characters at Mansfield Park as well as the Price residence are magic. The director's choice to place the story in socio-economic context (wealth earned through slave-powered plantations) as well as the author's gendered/economic context both works and fails.

Where the movie lets down is in the underplayed and jerky character development, which seems to be less the fault of the actors and more the result of scripting decisions. Most glaring is the rather sudden transformation of Embeth Davidtz character.

This is still a fun film, and a worthy adaptation.

Rating:
Summary: A lively retelling of Austen's novel
Review: I am always amazed when Jane Austen's novels translate to the screen with their humor, warmth, and feminist sensibilities intact. This is yet another in a good run of Austen movies. Australian Frances O'Connor captures the warmth, humor, and goodness of the heroine, Fanny Price, who has been sent away from her own poverty-stricken family to live with wealthy relatives. There is a lot of social commentary here--Fanny's family may be poor and desperate, but they are nowhere near as debauched or spiritless as her wealthy relations.

Fanny's elder female cousin, in particular, marries for money and then has an affair because she feels trapped in the loveless marriage. Undoubtedly, one of Austen's favorite messages is that money matters less than love when it comes to marriage. That is particularly well-portrayed here.

The acting is uniformly good, led by O'Connor with a performance that would make Austen proud.

Don't dismiss this as just a Merchant-Ivory lookalike costume drama. There is much humor and biting social commentary to be had.

Rating:
Summary: A supplement to the great novel, but enjoyable!
Review: I am an Austen fan, but unlike other film interpretations of her novels, Mansfield's scriptwriter thought it necessary to add more to the book. I found the first two volumes of the novel went by in seconds. I also do not beleive this was Austen's Fanny. O'Connor's portrayal seemed to resemble Marianne Dashwood or Elizabeth Bennet more than Fanny Price. Though I have made these criticisms, it is only to warn you of how the film compares to the book, but as a movie, this film was excellent, well acted, and had perfect scenery and costumes. Rozema's Edmund and the Crawfords were the perfect pictures of Austen's creations. Do not, however think this is the book. See this film, and read the book!

Rating:
Summary: yum..
Review: Mansfield Park... i do believe it was a completely pleasant experience watching this movie, although it strayed a lot away from the book. but to be honest the book stunk, and im glad it was adapted so well onto the screen. if you thought of it as a completely separate work you'd enjoy it immensely.

the fannie price in the book was a crying little wussie, but her film counterpart was smart and cool and completely independent and was a joy to watch.

Rating:
Summary: Pure garbage!
Review: I have both read the books and purchased the videos of most of Austin's works. I was anxious to see this movie hoping it would be as well done as "Sense and Sensibility" and "Pride and Prejudice". Not far into the film, when young Fanny inquired about the noise from the slave ship, I knew there was a problem. This production had nothing in common with the book and must have Jane Austin spinning in her grave. The subtlety of her characters and ability to make her point by innuendo are just what make her books so good. Patricia's personal agenda has no business being produced under the title "Mansfield Park".

Rating:
Summary: A Waste
Review: Although, I had read disastrous reviews of this movie, I wanted to watch Patricia Rozema's "Mansfield Park" with an open mind and to see for myself. Now I wish I'd listened to the bad press.

This is not a good film by any means. It bears no resemblance to the work upon which it is based--but even someone trying to view it as something separate and distinct from Austen is going to be disappointed.

The script is uneven, unbalanced and gives none of the talented performers a chance to shine. Historically inaccurate, the costumes and the sets are a joke. If someone could tell me why Mansfield Park looked like the aftermath of a bankruptcy sale, I'd be grateful.

Rozema reportedly disliked Austen, the novel and the character of Fanny Price as she was written. Given the way she went about showing her dislike, she must have had some say what projects she worked on. I wish she had made an entirely original movie instead of destroying what could have been a really enjoyable film.

It does boast a good score.

Rating:
Summary: Not Jane Austen but enthralling nonetheless
Review: Anyone purchasing this movie and expecting a typical adaptation of Austen's novel will be disappointed. Unlike the BBC productions and the recent Gwyneth Paltrow adaptation of "Emma," "Mansfield Park" is more experimental, much more risque - and these differences, in my opinion, only enhance the experience. I consider myself a diehard Jane Austen enthusiast and an avid supporter of the traditional Jane Austen movies. Even so, I feel that this film presents a likeable heroine in the revamped Fanny Price. She is bolder, more assertive, and her biting sense of humor makes her more like an Elizabeth Bennett than a Fanny Price. Those who resent this remolded character will undoubtedly be annoyed with the entire film. But why get bogged down in the traditionalist view? The new Fanny Price is endearing, the lesbian undertones perplexing, and the dark genocidal issues intriguing. The love story between Fanny and Edmund grabbed me from the very beginning. As opposed to many of the other Austenites, I feel that this movie does not betray the Austen tradition. It rather pays homage to Austen through the marriage of new and old.

Rating:
Summary: A marvelous adaptation
Review: While I may not be an Austin purist, I do love her work and was, thus, a bit hesitant to give this movie a go. I finally took the plunge and was absolutely delighted. Before I begin to go on about this film, it must be said that this book does not stay true to the book which, in the case of Mansfield Park, I do not consider flaw. When one is attempting to create a film based on a beloved piece of ficton, there are always many obstacles to overcome--the main one being it's transformation to the screen. One must remember, however, that often what makes a great work of fiction does not make a fine film. Mansfield Park is just such a case. Ms. Rozema, however, does stay true to the nature of the Austin's work. The characters are finely crafted and the supporting cast (not to mention the fine casting of Frances O'Connor as Fanny Price and Johnny Lee Miller as Edmund Bertrum) is tremendous. The camera work employed hightens the viewer's understanding of Fanny's emotions (which lies at the center of this tale). As with the recent rash of period pieces, the wardrobes and settings are very well done.