In my discovering the works of Jane Austen, I began watching the film adaptations of those novels as well.  For the most part, they are nice period pieces which do suffer from a treatment by the studios that often pigeon-holes them as “chick flicks.”

Mansfield Park suffers in many ways from that same fate, although I do think the adaptation is decent and the characters quite interesting.  There were parts that were good, parts that grated on me, but the end result was the same.  I would categorize the film as a chick-flick.

Fanny Price (portrayed by Frances O'Connor) is a young girl who loves her family dearly.  However, the family is quite poor and there are many children.  Believing her life will be better, her mother sends her off to live with wealthy relatives, Sir Thomas (portrayed by Harold Pinter) and Lady Bertram (portrayed by Lindsay Duncan).  She is befriended by the oldest son, Edmund (portrayed by Jonny Lee Miller).  The two grow up as fast friends, and Fanny is doted on by her uncle who also gives her the room to grow as a writer.

When two new neighbors come to live in the area, things change in the life Fanny has managed to carve out for herself in the home of her wealthy relatives.  Mr. Henry Crawford (portrayed by Alessandro Nivola) has eyes for Fanny and his sister, Mary (portrayed by Embeth Davitz) sets her sights on Edmund.  The house is already in preparation for the wedding of the youngest of the siblings, Maria (portrayed by Victoria Hamilton) to the wealthy but buffoonish Mr. Rushworth (portrayed by Hugh Bonneville)

Society at the time deems Henry quite a catch for fanny, who has reservations about him for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is her affection for Edmund.  However, Edmund’s social status puts him quite out of the reach of Fanny.  When Henry proposes to Fanny, will she do what everyone expects of her or follow her heart and instincts?

There are changes from the novel.  If I recall my reading of it correctly, this adaptation creates a much bigger issue of the family’s wealth hinging on the slave trade in the colonies, as well as the eldest son’s desire to distance himself from the family fortune because of it.  Other changes seem to be Edmund's affection for Fanny being apparent early on, where he seemed much more demure in the book.  Fanny’s brother for whom she holds great affection is jettisoned from the plot, replaced to a degree with a sister Fanny writes to although it’s obvious that the closeness she felt toward her brother is not completely transferred to this other character.

The acting is first rate.  The chemistry exists between O’Connor and Miller as the two leads, and they have it perfect with their resistance to their feelings for social reasons.  It’s easy to see how they accept what the future holds for them by societal standards, and they don’t spend a tremendous amount of time pining for each other.  Instead, most of their affection is shown in little gestures or in the conversations they have.

By contrast, the conversations and interaction Fanny has with Henry are quite different.  As in the novel, Fanny is seen as the catalyst by which Henry might be redeemed as both he and his sister seem to give the illusion of preying on people and their weaknesses.  Yet in Fanny, Henry has met his match to a degree.  Nivola is excellent in the role and also conveys his affection and yearning for Fanny without tipping it over into a more modern take on the role.

The main character I felt was lacking was that of Mary Crawford.  For the most part, Davitz is great in the role.  What’s lacking here isn’t necessarily her, but the way her character is written.  Although she charismatically manages to charm the entire family, including Fanny, at the end she seems to fall flat with a forced performance that is necessary for the story to come to it’s fairly obvious conclusion.  Davitz’s acting isn’t to be faulted as she is excellent in how she embraces the family and even managed to forge a bond with Fanny, realizing she must have her on her side if she’s to have Edmund.  It’s the writers who falter, having to create a scene that doesn’t flow as nicely as the rest of the story.  Davitz does what she can - the end result is hardly her fault.

The period setting is handled excellently.  From the costuming to the sets, everything is wonderful.  Fanny’s attic exile is a place for her to escape to, even if it’s as cols as is depicted.  That her benefactor only realizes what he has sentenced her to near the end of the film is a good commentary on how little thought is given to Fanny’s comfort in the house.  At the same time, this hideaway is the type many of us are envious of.

The DVD is in excellent shape.  There’s commentary with the Writer and Director which is interesting although.  There’s also a featurettes which is fairly short about the making of the film.  The cinematography itself is beautiful, whether on a small or large screen.  The English country and the sets within the house illustrate the family’s wealth while the scenes at Fanny’s ancestral home by the sea serve to illustrate the squalor from which she was rescued and allowed to grow.  It’s not a matter of the wealth being necessarily better than the home she was born into, but because she was sent to live with these relatives Fanny had certain opportunities opened to her that she wouldn’t have had otherwise.  The squalor is apparent as is Fanny’s discomfort when she returns there as an adult, although she wants to feel a warm embrace there that she might not feel completely with her wealthier relatives.

I liked Mansfield Park despite the differences I recall from the novel.  This was a good film, if definitely a chick-flick.  I didn’t necessarily like the ending, especially the way the Director chose to interpret it with her little moments where the characters seem to talk and strike a pose just for the viewing audience.  However, those few awkward moments in the film shouldn’t stop anyone who’s interested in this adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel from watching it.


Bonus Material:

• Commentary with Writer/Director Patricia Rozema
• Production Featurette
• Theatrical Trailer



© 2009 Patti Aliventi

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD