Details
Movie Description
This sterling adaptation of Austen's third published novel, set in early 19th century Portsmouth, England, concerns Fanny Price (O'Connor), an intelligent young woman who is sent to live with her mother's wealthy family. Settling into her new life, Fanny is treated poorly by everyone except her cousin Edmund (Miller). The pair connect immediately, and pretty soon deeper feelings emerge. The arrival of a conniving brother and sister duo cause a commotion, forcing Fanny to decide if she should succumb to her material surroundings, or remain true to her heart.
Synopsis
Fanny Price, a precociously intelligent young woman, is sent by her impoverished parents to live with her mother's wealthy sisters and family in order to benefit from the intellectual and social education, as well as material comforts, that their status affords. Fanny, of native wit, budding writing talents and a late-blooming audacity, responds well to the new environment, despite being treated as a second-class citizen by her aunts, uncle, and cousins -- with the notable exception of cousin Edmund, with whom Fanny forms a fast and close bond, and which later blossoms into love. When the smooth con-artist brother and sister act of Henry and Mary Crawford arrive and attempt to infiltrate the Betram social circle with eyes on marital connections and thereby, inheritance, Henry begins to appreciate Fanny's understated charms, and determines that she is the woman for him. Her luster, however, is due in part to her unspoken love for Edmund, and she flatly rejects Henry's advances, which she also regards as insincere. This causes great dismay to her uncle, who subjects her to heavy interrogation and pressure to submit. In the end, Fanny cannot betray her heart, and chooses to return to the veritable slums where her family still resides by the docks of Portsmouth. It's up to Edmund to realize, for himself, his love for Fanny, and hopefully provide a happy ending to the proceedings.
Industry Reviews
"...Well-turned dialogue, acute social irony..."
Variety - p.66-7 - Derek Elley (09/06/1999)
"...[The cast brings] an erotic heat and stinging humor to Austen's social satire..."
Rolling Stone - p.112 - Peter Travers (11/25/1999)
"...A tribute to Austen's storytelling skills....[The film has] dramatic and emotional payoffs..."
Movieline - p.40 - Stephen Farber (12/01/1999)
"...Rozema and her superb cast display a conviction uncommon to costume dramas....Much cinematic invention..." -- 4 out of 5 stars - Watch More Than Once
Premiere - p.88 - Christopher Kelly (08/01/2000)
"...Rozema's untraditional approach to costume drama can be bracing....[The] performances are strong, and playwright Harold Pinter is particularly good..."
USA Today - p.4D - Andy Seiler (11/18/1999)
"...MANSFIELD PARK is a witty, entertaining film....This is an uncommonly intelligent film, smart and amusing too..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (11/24/1999)
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