P&P

Ummmm, so, News flash! Pride and freaking Prejudice COMES OUT TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How did I miss this?? How did I miss the fact that my favorite novel Of All Time is making its big screen debut TONIGHT???
Ok, yes, I realize this last statement is slightly debatable. But the two BBC versions were only shown on TV and video - completely marvelous as they are - and, well, the 1940 Greer Garson one totally doesn't count. A.) The story is completely messed up, Lady Catherine actually Likes Lizzy in this version, and B.) Do you know the film was actually made as a WWII propaganda film to make people sympathetic towards England? - Watch it, and you'll totally see what I mean. C.) The Scarlett O'Hara dresses - wrong country, wrong decade.)
I suppose I had forgotten about the film because, to be perfectly honest, I'm a little leery of this new version. I mean, first of all, I love, Love, LOVE the second BBC version with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, that's pretty near perfection as far as I'm concerned. The mini-series length makes it possible to really do justice to Jane's writing and dialogue, the costumes are great, and the acting is superb. (And did I mention Colin Firth is, umm, very nice looking? ;-)) So, basically, I don't think any other version could really measure up. Secondly, ummm, Kiera (sp?) Knightly. Need I say more? I really, really don't like her in general, but, even worse, I know she's going to make Lizzy into some w(b)itchy femi-nazi who is nothing like the intelligent, courageous character Jane Austen created. And I love Lizzy. So tampering with her I know will make me sad.
Nevertheless, I must go. I can't not support Jane. And, well, I'll be back to tell you whether or not the film is worthy of her name.