"Pride and Prejudice" has to be one of the most reworked, revamped, and reconceptualized of Jane Austen's books. And with good reason. Its characters are compelling, the writing is witty, it deals with universal themes and it's funny! I think this is why I would have to call this web series one of the best of the modern "retellings" of Pride and Prejudice. It takes those themes of blindness, hubris and self awareness and overlays it onto the video diary of a young graduate student named Lizzie Bennett. And the series is witty and funny in its own unique way.
The series isn't perfect. The character of Lizzie comes across as a bit abrasive at times. It's also stretches credibility to believe that individuals would have these incredibly personal conversations and revelations in front of a camera (though in our reality tv saturated society, maybe that's not such a stretch). In addition, the problem that befalls Lydia is certainly relevant but also illegal. Instead of handwringing, they could have just called the cops or sued or something. Finally, I understand why it was done but the story is a just a bit weaker for not allowing us more direct interaction with the wonderfully comic characters of Mr. And Mrs. Bennett.
But the pros outweigh the cons. First of all, the performers are all excellent. Ashley Clements is, for the most part, offers us a decent Lizzie Bennett, critical, prickly, a bit self absorbed but with enough self awareness to recognize when she has done wrong. As for the rest, I don't think there was a weak actor in the bunch. I really enjoyed Julia Cho's Charlotte Lu who ends up being the countering voice of reason to Lizzie's emotionality. Laura Spencer IS Jane Bennett. And kudos to Mary Kate Wiles as the wild Lydia. The first time I watched the series, I didn't know there were a series of Lydia videos designed, I believe, to flesh out her character a bit more. However, when I watched them I realized that they were a bit superfluous. Wiles is so good in her portrayal that you don't need the extra videos to understand why she ends up doing some of the things she does.
And can I say how BRILLIANT it was to hold back on showing Darcy until his confession scene? By the time, the actor shows up, I imagine first time viewers are DYING to see him. A little bit goes a long way! (Particularly with Austen). I'm not a connoisseur of web series but this has to be one of the best out there.
The series isn't perfect. The character of Lizzie comes across as a bit abrasive at times. It's also stretches credibility to believe that individuals would have these incredibly personal conversations and revelations in front of a camera (though in our reality tv saturated society, maybe that's not such a stretch). In addition, the problem that befalls Lydia is certainly relevant but also illegal. Instead of handwringing, they could have just called the cops or sued or something. Finally, I understand why it was done but the story is a just a bit weaker for not allowing us more direct interaction with the wonderfully comic characters of Mr. And Mrs. Bennett.
But the pros outweigh the cons. First of all, the performers are all excellent. Ashley Clements is, for the most part, offers us a decent Lizzie Bennett, critical, prickly, a bit self absorbed but with enough self awareness to recognize when she has done wrong. As for the rest, I don't think there was a weak actor in the bunch. I really enjoyed Julia Cho's Charlotte Lu who ends up being the countering voice of reason to Lizzie's emotionality. Laura Spencer IS Jane Bennett. And kudos to Mary Kate Wiles as the wild Lydia. The first time I watched the series, I didn't know there were a series of Lydia videos designed, I believe, to flesh out her character a bit more. However, when I watched them I realized that they were a bit superfluous. Wiles is so good in her portrayal that you don't need the extra videos to understand why she ends up doing some of the things she does.
And can I say how BRILLIANT it was to hold back on showing Darcy until his confession scene? By the time, the actor shows up, I imagine first time viewers are DYING to see him. A little bit goes a long way! (Particularly with Austen). I'm not a connoisseur of web series but this has to be one of the best out there.
