Why I fail as an Austenite

[litlover12]

I've finished another viewing of the 1995 P&P, which I love. But oh, how the second proposal scene bugs me. And it bugs me that it bugs me. Because I don't want it to bug me. It's very sweet and the actors are terrific and their facial expressions are all that could be desired. But they don't kiss, and they don't touch -- they look away from each other and keep walking! It drives me NUTS! I'm going "Kiss her! Kiss her!!" like that nosy old man in It's a Wonderful Life. I know this is Austen and she's prim and proper to the nth degree, and the whole thing is true to her vision, but for heaven's sake. . . . couldn't they at least hold hands?

Of course, it's not much better than what happens in the book. I love Austen, I really do. She was a genius and many of her books are right up there among my favorites. But her love scenes are just so . . . unsatisfying.

Comments

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

I confess that there are things I like about the hatchet-job, but all that mushiness at the end is not one of them. Funny how it went rushing to the opposite extreme, isn't it? :-) From not even a touch in the miniseries, to eating each other's tonsils in the movie!

"Methinks Jane couldn't write good love scenes because as a spinster who was never around men, she didn't know how one would go, since they didn't have television in those days..."

I can understand that (I can even identify with it). I can't help wishing, though, that she'd gotten a married friend or relative to share a few tips! She'll write something like "She said just what a lady ought to say" or "He expressed himself warmly," and I'm all, "JANE, YOU ARE BEING COY AGAIN. STOP IT."