We Janeites fondly remember the years 1995-1997, when no fewer than six Austen adaptations hit the big screen in the US. The next few weeks won’t deliver quite such a bumper crop, but with three new Austenesque films on their way, perhaps we can call it a boomlet.
First up is Whit Stillman’s Love and Friendship, an adaptation of Lady Susan, which will premiere on Saturday at the Sundance Film Festival. As far as I know, Lady Susan has never before been adapted for the screen, and this deliciously cynical novella about misbehavior among the landed classes has the makings of a great movie. Fingers crossed! No national release date yet, but I’ll be first in line for tickets when it comes to my town.
And then of course there’s Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which opens on February 5. As blog readers know, I’m skeptical about this one, but I’m an Austen film completist, so no matter how bad the reviews, I’ll be seeing it and adding the DVD to my collection.
You will recall that I mentioned three Austenesque movies. I’m kind of embarrassed to admit this, but on Saturday night, when luckier souls will be settling in for the Sundance premiere of Love and Friendship, I will probably be curling up with Unleashing Mr. Darcy, a TV version of a truly mediocre Pride and Prejudice update set in the dog-show world.
It’s on the Hallmark channel. I don’t usually watch the Hallmark channel. But like I said – Austen completist.
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