Aham Vyaktam

I saw this movie Pride and Prejudice last week. It was released in 2005 and I know am the last person to see it, yet, I wanted to do a line or two about this movie now, as I liked it very much.

My guy was excited about the movie as it had Keira Knightley starring, while I was wondering if I would get anyone in the movie to drool over. The movie commenced with every cast uttering “Mr. Bingley” which made me think he is the hero of the movie. When I saw Simon Woods as Mr. Bingley, I was a little disappointed, duhing as my notion that the guys would look stupid in regency-style costumes came true. As I was cursing the director of the movie since my guy had someone to admire at, to my envy and vice versa couldn’t happen, there came a handsome good-looking guy who, everybody quoted Mr. Darcy. Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy was a perfectly adorable thing with his magnificence glowing in that attire. I was wishing he should be shown through out the movie, irrespective of him being a hero or not [As I haven’t read the novel, nothing I knew about which character has what importance]. The story was moving on only to teach me that Mr. Darcy is the man of the movie. The movie was after the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I heard that the depiction in the novel was so emoting that it brings a lady into tears when she reads it.

While my guy kept saying that there’s something about Keira though she isn’t that great a beauty and that her eyes speak and have a tickling mischief, I was ogling at Matthew, completely disregarding the person next to me.

I was awe-struck by the dialogues in the movie. I would say the beauty of the movie was vested with its dialogues and it was a relief to hear that the screenplay didn’t force them to be different from the original masterpiece of Jane Austen. I have to say that the dialogues were so long and the words embedded in them were bombastic that we had to turn the captions on in the TV to comprehend them. They were pleasant to the ears too and I wanted to redo the movie without captions to enjoy the verbal more. I wonder how many rehearsals they would have had to shoot a scene. But one thing which was nagging about the dialogue was the straight flow of them without any modulations while speaking which, I felt, killed the emotion in the voice the actors were trying to bring out. Everybody was plain in their vocals. May be the intention was to bring the emotions in the eyes and the face of the actors, than in their voices. Or may be that’s the way the parlance was at that age. I dunno. The movie makers know better I believe.

Mr. Darcy had done a really good job and my most favorite scene is the one wherein Mr. Darcy would have saved his dignity much by not showing on face that he’s hurt by the words of Lizzie when he proposes his love for her and she denies. The audience can however understand from his words that he’s hurt but he still maintains rigidness in his face not showing it.

Another thing which I liked in the movie is the bow everybody does as a sign of greeting the person they meet. It is such a graceful bow and I loved it.

The palaces where the movie is shot were gorgeous and the sculpture ensemble was a perfect fit.

It’s a nice story on the whole which can be given a go when you feel like doing nothing on a rainy gloomy Friday evening or watching something like a light stream without noise.

The following picture decorates my laptop as the wallpaper now, to the envy of you-know-who :)

Here are the snippets of dialogues in the movie which still buzz in my ears:

Netherfield Butler: A Mrs. Bennet, a Miss Bennet, a Miss Bennet and a Miss Bennet, sir.
Caroline Bingley: Oh for heaven's sake, are we to receive every Bennet in the country?

Mr. Collins: Every mind must have some counsellor to whom it may apply for consolation in distress. There are many conveniences which others can supply and we cannot procure. I have in view those objects which are only to be obtained through intercourse. Forgive me, through the intercourse of friendship or civility.

Mr. Darcy: Do you talk, as a rule, while dancing?
Elizabeth Bennet: No... No, I prefer to be unsociable and taciturn... Makes it all so much more enjoyable, don't you think?

Mr. Bennet: Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins... And I will never see you again if you do.

Elizabeth Bennet: Your unfortunate brother once had to put up with my playing for a whole evening.
Georgiana Darcy: But he says you play so well.
Elizabeth Bennet: Then he has perjured himself most profoundly.
Mr. Darcy: No I said, "played quite well."
Elizabeth Bennet: Oh, "quite well" is not "very well." I'm satisfied.

Mr. Darcy: How are you this evening, my dear?
Elizabeth Bennet: Very well... although I wish you would not call me "my dear."
Mr. Darcy: [chuckles] Why?
Elizabeth Bennet: Because it's what my father always calls my mother when he's cross about something.
Mr. Darcy: What endearments am I allowed?
Elizabeth Bennet: Well let me think...”Lizzie" for every day, "My Pearl" for Sundays, and...”Goddess Divine"... but only on *very* special occasions.
Mr. Darcy: And... what should I call you when I am cross? Mrs. Darcy...?
Elizabeth Bennet: No! No. You may only call me "Mrs. Darcy"... when you are completely, and perfectly, and incandescently happy.
Mr. Darcy: [he snickers] Then how are you this evening... Mrs. Darcy?

Mr.Bennet: I cannot believe that anyone can deserve you. But it seems I am overruled. So I heartily give my consent. I could not have parted with you my Lizzie, to anyone less worthy.
Elizabeth Bennet: Thank you.
Mr.Bennet: If any young men come for Mary or Kitty, for heaven's sake, send them in. I'm quite at my leisure.

I called up my mom yesterday and she had a lot in store for me, the “lot” was spun around the same point though. After the usual enquiries about health and work, here goes the conversation between us:

Me: Anything noteworthy mom?

Mom: Nothing much. I wanted to tell you something since long about your to-be-mom-in-law.

Me: [aiyayo, is Saturn waiting] Any problem mom?

Mom: Not at all.

Me: [a sigh of relief though had a feel “is that a tranquil answer before storming”]

Mom: I kinda get a complex on seeing her you know. She is fair and beautiful. I feel a bit delicate to stand beside her while posing for photo [followed by a roaring laugh]

Me: Yeah she is. But you are young.

Mom: Huh…young??? Though she’s older than me in age, she looks far younger than me.

Me: Appearance isn’t all that matters mom. You are beautiful at heart.

Mom: She may be beautiful at heart too. You know she seems very active and looks like she bears many responsibilities and manages everything.

[Okay. Good that she’s pulling herself away from appearances. Appearance has never been my comfort zone.]

Me: Its okay mom, you are being submissive to dad and you let the head of the family do everything. You are a great wife right?

Mom: uhum. I was never given an opportunity to head anything other than manning the house-hold.

Me: You are a brave lady mom and you have the caliber to do anything.

[got a “pchhh” as a response from the other side. As the daughter-ism with the goal of boosting mom’s morale increased in me:]

Me: You are very good in planning mom. In your generation itself you had planned your family well and have given birth to only one kid.

Mom: That’s why am left with no support in my old age. You’ll get married and go away. Your to-be-mom-in-law has a daughter within reach and a son who will be with her till the end as a strong support.

Me: Mom. Brush that aside. See how you have shaped me up as a brave girl. You have taught me the ability to manage things solely.

Mom: Bravery and you? Your to-be-sis-in-law rides 2-wheeler. Do you know cycling atleast?

[Oops!!! Have I dug a pit under my foot myself? Me trying to pull some more subjects for my defence: ]

Me: Am petite and look young. And am healthy too mom. Being a lady you should be happy for having given birth to such a daughter J

Mom: Only you have to praise yourself and your physique. Your to-be-sis-in-law has a kinda richness in her face. She looks hale. Look at you. You seem gravely struck by poverty. People ask me if I have fed you.

[you decided not to spare me, dontcha? Me still having not reached the threshold of giving up:]

Me: It’s you who instilled in me the importance of education, as a result of which, I am a career aspirant now. I get more laurels at work. Aint you proud of me?

Mom: Don’t tell me that being a girl. Have you ever entered the kitchen when you were here? Today you tell me you prepare so many and are becoming a great cook. You have been atrocious here that am not ready to believe in what you say now. I know you are a girl who sheds tears when it comes to household. I have molded u bad. I bet your mom-in-law would have taught her daughter everything.

[Damage again. Mom was going on and on. My conscience popped up and asked me “is that enough Anu? Dare you speak anything more,…..I realize am losing]

Me: You have brought me up with the traits of a guy and a girl mom. Not everyone will be such a blend.

Mom: That is all am saying. You are more boyish is what my stand is. You proudly say to me that you got a ghagra for your engagement. Your sis-in-law had come in a saree for the occasion. You happily pose for your engagement with a brush-like-cannot-be-tied-hair. She had plaited her hair tidily and had come. When I ask you not to cut your hair before marriage, you ask me “cant I get married like this without tying it up” How dare you!!! Your mom-in-law had taught her daughter decorum. I failed.

[I am tired now. While I was trying to heave up the dignity of my mom, mine was somersaulting towards downhill.]

Me: Okay mom. I give up. Am not all that great, and we are not that great when compared to my in-laws. Happy?

Mom: [uttering a laughter] Just wanted to see till what extent you defend yourself and your parents. This is just the most dwarfish of conversations. There will be in store in the long run after marriage, many situations, wherein you’ll be kindled unnecessarily and forced to stand up to your new relatives defending you and your parents. None can be an exception to all such in a family, no matter how much amiable you are with others. At such instances, try not to drag the matter creating displeasure to the other person. That doesn’t mean you should leave our esteem lay behind as such. Say a word or two graciously and by remaining calm after that, you tell others what sort of girl you are and in turn what your parents are. That’s how I want you to keep our esteem high, not by being bitchy. Moreover, your priorities for your new family should precede those for us. Try not to give them a feel that you came as an alien into the family in the middle of their lives. I know my daughter is cerebral and can handle things well and win admiration.

Me: Are you still dubious if you are the best, mom?