PRIDE & PREJUDICE (new version)'s "Mr. Darcy"

[Flippancy]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 11:23am

OMFG -- Just saw this last night. While not the most gorgeous creature on the planet, his brooding nature and physicality made me sit upright. Well, so to speak....

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 11:24am

Do you think there's something about the role? A nation swooned when Colin Firth was Darcy 10 years ago in the BBC adaptation.

[Flippancy]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 11:27am

I think there is something about that role. Of course, Colin Firth's many charms had something to do with it, I'm sure. Just as Larry Olivier's did back in the MGM version (even though it had a completely bogus Hollywood ending with Edna Mae Oliver...)

[broadway86]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 11:30am

I thought McFadyen was an excellent Mr. Darcy.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 11:36am

I agree. He rivals Firth, for me. While the BBC version will always be the best version, his Darcy is, I think, more appropriate than Firth's (although I adore Firth).

[Plum]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 12:04pm

Girls love brooding.

...


Okay, I really have no idea why it appeals.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 12:05pm

I also loved McFayden, and I went into that movie thinking that no one could live up to Colin Firth.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 12:07pm

He did nothing for me.

[nztheatreluva]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 1:58pm

I liked him, but he doesn't come anywhere near Colin Firth

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 2:33pm

He was fine... but nothing on Colin Firth's Darcy. I liked Colin's more aloof take on the character... you can see McFayden warm up too quickly to Elizabeth as Darcy.

And yes... it's definitely, definitely the allure of the character.
Updated On: 2/7/06 at 02:33 PM

[RENThead414]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 3:42pm

I think Simon Woods (Mr. Bingley) was adorable...but I'm a sucker for a redheaded guy...

[MissMonika]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 5:02pm

i have the BBC version and watched the new version a month ago. Omgosh, i love both of them. McFayden seems a lil more sexy to me, though. i can't complain. they're both awesome.

[pattifan2]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 5:05pm

Firth's wet shirt was a tough act to live up to, but I have to admit I preferred McFadyen's more shy and awkward interpretation. 'You have bewitched me, body and soul.' (sigh)

[Plum]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 5:08pm

I haven't seen Firth's take on the role, but McFayden exactly reflected my reading on the character- after his initial snobbishness, he quickly takes a liking to Elizabeth but is way too proud to admit it. (Well, duh on the pride thing. ) Anyway, he's a complete social failure because of that same pride, unlike Bingley, who would probably be nice to a snake if someone brought it as a guest.
Updated On: 2/7/06 at 05:08 PM

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 5:26pm

McFayden is a lovely, lovely man. But when his first lines slipped out of his mouth then I turned to mush. His voice is orgasmic.

I also had crushes on Simon Wooods (awww!) and Rupert Friend (hotness!)

[Stagedoor2]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 5:33pm

I've seen both versions and I honestly can't decide which one I like better. I think that both Colin Firth and Matthew McFayden should come over and give me a personal performance to help me decide!

I saw McFayden in a British romantic comeday -- "Maybe Baby" where he played, well, kind of a tool. I couldn't believe it was the same guy.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 5:53pm

I think my assessment of McFayden's Darcy falling for Elizabeth so quickly isn't exactly fair, since he had to play the whole character arc in a two-hour movie wheras the miniseries is three times that length. I guess I just like to see the more of the angst when he likes her against his will/better judgement.

[singdanceact]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 5:54pm

I haven't seen the Keira Knightly version, but I have the A&E mini series with Colin Firth on DVD. (= It's one of my favorite books everrr. I love Jane Austen.

[gillygalls]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 6:26pm

I think that it's just something about Darcy the character... Jane knew just was she was doing when she dreamed him up. I was very against the new P&P until I finally dragged myself to the movie theater. Colin will always be my favorite Darcy, but when I need a quick P&P fix McFayden'll do nicely :)

[Becky2]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 7:02pm

I've never seen the new version. But I remember reading it in high school and all the guys complained that they didn't want to read it because the cover was too "feminine looking." And when they did read it, it was impossible to convince them that Mr. Darcy was not "evil," as they said, just misunderstood.