Sense & Sensiblity (1971)

I just found out, that there's a 1971 version of this Jane Austen classic. Now how to get a hold of it ...

Hotel du Lac (1986)

A female writer, with the look and (imagined) demeanor of Virginia Woolf, heads off to a resort hotel somewhere in the Swiss alps, for an unspecified reason. She meets the other hotel inhabitants, all women, except for a man, who eventually takes notice of her.

I liked it. I'm so very lucky to happen upon this film. I read the book it is based on, written by Anita Brookner. It added more to my understanding, of what the novels was getting at, as well as addressing the quirks and tics of the individuals involved. When I first read the book, I couldn't understand the protagonist's ultimate choice. I mean I would take it. Her admirer was open to what he wanted from her, and the rules of the game, etc. I'm probably still missing something here.

My favorite scene, if I'm not mistaken, wasn't in the book. During the birthday celebration of Mrs. Pusey (what a name), Mrs. Pusey brings up the conversation about rearing children. Monica, the anorexic hotel inhabitant, seriously ask her a question, because she too is having a hard time conceiving, when Mrs. Pusey, the self-absobed madame, cuts her off swiftly and without any consideration whatsoever.

A Room With A View (2007)

Adaptation of E.M. Forster's classic. A young girl goes to Italy with her chaperon, and soon finds herself attracted to a young man from a lower class. This version changed it up, compared to the Merchant Ivory version from over twenty five years ago. It shows Lucy Honeychuch, the main character, having flashbacks of the past.

I enjoyed it, but of course, not as much as the Merchant Ivory version. The earlier version, had Helena Bonham Carter and Julian Sands, and they were so young then, and their relationship had a magnetism. Ugh, it kills me. It's going to be hard to surpass the first. In this version, Lucy's flashbacks made it rather more poignant?

The part I liked was George Emerson, the love interest, commenting on Lucy's then fiance, Cecil Vyse. My bet is on Emerson alluding to Cecil maybe being gay. Not sure, if Cecily's homosexuality is in the book. Haven't read it.

Lucy - "I love Cecil Vyse. You must know I'm engaged to him."
George - "You may be engaged to him, but you don't love him."
Lucy - "How dare you presume what my feelings are."
George - "I just do. You don't love Cecil Vyse. No one could. Not in that way, maybe he's mother does. I don't know. I'm not interested in him. I'm interested in you ..."

Northanger Abbey (1986)

The 1986 adaptation of Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. Catherine Morland, with hairstyle that would fit well for a 1980s hair band groupie, is invited to Bath, where love and mayhem ensues.

I liked it. I had stopped watching this, because the whole 1980s rock-band look felt wacky. I started on it again after taking to the 2007 version. I can't decide, which one I like better. Life is tough.  Now that I know more about the novel itself, the 1980s styling was entertaining and ties in with the Gothic feel, which colours Catherine's imagination. Any moment now, I expect Meatloaf to appear and start singing -  he'll do anything for love, anything, but he won't do that.

Best part of it was what I disliked about it before; over the top rock guitar. Also, the Tilney siblings singing. People should sing more in movies.

Sense and Sensibility (1811)

Two sisters each have complicated love affairs with complicated men.

I liked it. Liked it more than I thought I would, although there were several parts in the story where I stalled; stopped reading for awhile.