Well, we all know how much I love a good fanfiction or even just a clever take on a well-loved story, and this week I was introduced to my latest obsession: The Lizzie Bennet Diaries!
It's a modern take on Pride and Prejudice, filmed entirely in 3-6 minute video blogs. Lizzie starts the project for her graduate degree thesis, intending to chronicle her families lives for a certain number of weeks. It's fascinating to see they way they've updated the story. It's set in the United States (the girls live in a small town, and the big city is L.A. instead of London). The ball at Netherfield is now Bing Lee's birthday party, there are only three sisters -- Lizzie, Jane, and Lydia -- but the other two from the book are referenced, Jane is a low-level fashion designer trying to pay off student loans, and the way Lizzie reiterates previous conversations (affected by her and her friends dressing up and doing impersonations) is just hilarious.
I must say that the casting is PERFECT! When we finally meet Bing Lee, I can see why Jane likes him so much. And Mr. Collins is a hoot! Charlotte, Jane, Lydia, Caroline, Lizzie... they're all great. I hope we get to meet some of the others, too, like Mr. Darcy ;)
I'm about halfway through, and I cannot get enough! Lucky for me, Lizzie only has to film a few more videos until she finishes the story (I think the current one is #95), so I can just watch them all straight through! No waiting for me! It is a commitment to watch them straight through ; it's at least 7 hours total. I've been told that the ones in the 70s and 80s are the best. The way I'm going, I'll get to watch those tomorrow!
If you're curious about it, take a look at the first episode:
Also, because I can't get enough of Lydia (and want to high-five her every time Lizzie leaves her hanging), here's the first video in Lydia's own vlog, filmed while she is staying with her cousin Mary, and Jane and Lizzie are staying with the Lees.
(I love the multiple nods to The Lord of the Rings movies in the Baby-sitting episode.)
Oh, it looks like there are more than the original 7! I'll wait to watch them, 'cause I am guessing they relate to Lydia's later adventures, and I'm not there in the Lizzie videos yet.
Are you at all interested in watching this series? Do you have other "fanfiction-esque" series on your must-see or must-read list?
This weekend is going to be a bit crazy for me, and also fun. I hope the same for you!
Happy Friday, my friends!
No comments:
Post a Comment