Complete Frivolity

eanja and I went to see Bride and Prejudice earlier today.

The one thing that musicals really get right that I don't think most other movies do, is the utter ridiculousness of falling in love. You really do feel like the entire world is dancing about your wedding, your new relationship energy, or your unsuitable suitor.

Aishwarya Rai is absolutely gorgeous, but so much of it is that she's completely OK with looking ridiculous. I think that part of the problem with American actresses is that they feel this need to keep their dignity, or, if they play an undignified role, they invest it with a sense of desperation that keeps it from being truly funny.

Darcy was played by Martin Henderson who underplayed things very well. In some ways he seemed like a romance novel cover come to life. In this movie, that's all that's really needed.

That and painted elephants.