And, They Lived Happily Ever After

Several friends of mine are habitual binge-ers. They binge watch popular TV Series, sometimes 3 episodes, in one evening. Apparently, it's their favorite form of entertainment. Now, this may be something that many people or couples do. Frankly, it's not for me. However, I have been known to hone in on one particular actor, and attempt to watch every movie he or she has ever made. Or filmmaker, every movie they have ever made, or author, every book they have ever written.

So, this week, I have been watching as many Jane Austen based movies or adaptation of her novels that are currently available on television. By far, the most frequently read and watched  Jane Austen novel, is Pride and Prejudice, first published in 1813. I would be hard pressed to choose between the 1996 version (Colin Firth as Darcy in "the wet shirt") or the 2005 version with Keira Knightly, as the lovely Elizabeth Bennett, as my favorite. I have not seen the movie "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies", but I just finished watching a Bollywood adaptation "Bride and Prejudice". Lots of jazzy Indian music with wild and festive dancing. Another take on the Austen story were the "Bridget Jones' Diary" movies. Oh, and there is yet another version of P and P  being filmed, this year. What can I tell you? The story is timeless!

Jane wrote just 6 novels. She was only 41, when she died. But, she remains a popular writer and her books translate well into films. "Clueless" is a California Valley Girl version of the Austen novel,  Emma. Like, it's cute, totally.

My personal favorite is her novel, Persuasion, and the movie adaptation from 1995. (I've always been a sucker for men in uniforms.) Unfortunately, there are some duds, on the list. Hallmark Movies has done several Austen rip-offs, for their Christmas Movies series. A waste of time...... unfortunately I have watched many of them, several times.

So, my week has been filled with mini-escapes to Regency England. Everyone needs a little bit of fantasy and a guaranteed happy ending.

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 Dear Lord, just a little bit of living teaches us that life is not a "rose garden". We all have failures and successes. Good days and horrific days. Wins and losses. But, we have one constant, You. You are always with us. "We need Thee, every hour."