R&R with P&P

Today I spent a luxurious afternoon watching a three-hour movie just for me. The kids were occupied with various video games, and the movie was due back to the library, so I hunkered down and gave it a try.

It was weird and cool and freaky and fun all at the same time.

It was Lost in Austen, an original UK TV mini-series. Basically it was the story of Amanda Price, a modern-day Londonite whose love for Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice took a decidedly fantastical turn: Elizabeth Bennet stepped out of a hidden door in the wall above her bathtub, a door which originated in the Bennet's attic. So naturally, Amanda stepped through the other way and then found herself locked in by the precocious Lizzie Bennet.

It had the usual fish-out-of-water elements and was quite funny, but my favorite part was how they twisted the entire story. As expected, the story began to derail due to Amanda's (initially unintentional and then blatantly intentional) interference. But what made it really fun was how they tweaked the original story itself. For instance, Wickham was really a good guy--let that roll around in your mind for a little bit!--one lie had just spiraled out of control. And Mr. Collins had three loathesome brothers whom Lady Catherine de Bourgh was pushing off as husbands for Lydia, Kitty, and Mary.

Meanwhile, Lizzie was back in twenty-first century London, working as a nanny. She'd read all about Pride and Prejudice when Amanda came back to find her. And she still wasn't all that sure about that Darcy character.

I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't say anymore, except this...
If you thought you knew everything about P&P, think again. And go watch this movie.