UNIT 4 - CINEMA AND TELEVISION Lesson 2: Brit Flick Fever Text 1 - Film review: Bridget Jones’s Diary Bridget Jones’s Diary is, quite simply, the finest motion picture released by Miramax Films since 1999’s The Cider House Rules . Based on the novel by Helen Fielding, the screenplay for Bridget Jones’s Diary (written by Four Weddings and a Funeral screenwriter Richard Curtis) successfully adapts the book into an easily- manageable 90 minutes chunk while retaining much of the humour and remaining faithful to the tone. Bridget Jones’s Diary is smart, sassy, and thoroughly enjoyable, and features one of the most endearing and believable characters to grace the screen this year. Synopsis: The film tells the story of a year in the life of an average, single, thirty-something British woman, who, armed with only her wits and charm (and a diary), goes in search of Mr. Right. Unlucky- in-love Bridget (Renée Zellweger) has two candidates: the fun and sexy Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) and the dour Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), whom she overhears calling her a “verbally incontinent spinster” when they first meet at a party. Not surprisingly, she goes for Daniel, but he turns out to be a less-than-perfect choice. Thus, just when her interest in Mark begins to emerge (following his statement that he likes her just the way she is), he hooks up with a man-eating lawyer Natasha (Embeth Davidtz), who is determined to marry him. Meanwhile, she embarks upon a career in television news. Characters and casting: In England, the casting of American Renée Zellweger was initially greeted with much resistance by the press and the public. It was argued that not only was Zellweger American, but she was also too skinny to play Bridget. Well, some time between casting and shooting, Zellweger put on a few pounds (she’s pleasingly plump – not fat by any means, but certainly of Kate Winslet proportions) and worked hard to perfect a British accent (there are a few slips, but they are mercifully rare). These qualities, coupled with her natural charm and screen presence, make her a flawless choice for the lead. Not since her breakthrough roles in The World Wide World and Jerry Maguire has she given a performance of this all-around quality. Zellweger embodies Bridget, and this is a huge reason why the movie works. Those who have read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice will find some similar characters in Bridget Jones’s Diary . It doesn’t take much deduction to determine that Helen Fielding is an Austen admirer, and that all of the nods to Pride and Prejudice are intentional. While it would be unfair to call Bridget Jones’s Diary a 20 th -century re-interpretation of Pride and Prejudice , there are some parallels – at least one of which the filmmakers have decided to emphasise. The casting of Colin Firth as Mark Darcy for example is inspired. Firth, who played Mr. Darcy in the hugely popular 1995 BBC/A&E television production of Pride and Prejudice , plays this part exactly as he played the earlier role, making it evident that the two Darcys are essentially the same. He’s a repressed snob who gradually unwillingly finds himself falling in love for the least suitable woman around him – Bridget. Hugh Grant brings all the charm he cam muster to the oily role of Daniel – a man who has his chance with Bridget after telling a lie about Mark. Like Austen’s Wickam, this guy is too good to believe, and proceeds to prove our suspicions correct. Grant who, like Firth, has appeared in an Austen adaptation ( Sense and Sensibility ), is at home in the role. Final evaluation: Bridget Jones’s Diary is filled with moments of truth and flashes of humour. The direction, by newcomer Sharon Maguire, shows the deftness of a veteran. The energy level is consistently high and the characters (especially Bridget) don’t take long to endear themselves to the audience. The result is worthy of exultation, especially the bleakness of the winter/spring cinematic landscape. I smiled at the biting one-liners, laughed at both the subtle and the overt comedic aspects, and nodded my head in sympathy with Bridget’s all-too-familiar plight – and I’m a male. Imagine the female reaction. Congratulations to all involved. Bridget Jones’s Diary is a triumph. Exercise 1 : Decide if the following statements are true (T) or false (F) 1. The reviewer did not like the film even though he recognizes it’s been a success 2. The film is an adaptation from a well-known bestseller 3. Bridget Jones’s Diary is a film about an American woman played by a British actress 4. Bridget Jones’s Diary is a 20 th -century rewriting of Pride and Prejudice 5. The Mr. Darcy in Bridget Jones’s Diary is completely different from the Mr. Darcy in the film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice 6. Firth and Grant have starred in the same Austen’s adaptation 7. The male actors perfectly fit their roles 8. The only problem with the film Bridget Jones’s Diary is that it is not funny Exercise 2 : In the text there are a lot of words related to cinema. List them under the headings Noun , Adjective , Verb NOUN ADJECTIVE VERB Text 2 - Cinema reportage: A British Film Crowned at 2011 Oscars: The King’s Speech The King’s Speech , directed by Steven Spielberg, won the best picture award at the Oscars. The film about King George VI’s battle to overcome a speech difficulty won a total of four Academy Awards, including best actor for Colin Firth. - Peter Bowes reports for BBC News from Los Angeles The film tells the story of how George VI employed an unconventional speech therapist from Australia to help him overcome his problem with stammering. Funded in part by the UK Film Council, a body which is being disbanded by the government, the film also won the award for best original screenplay and best director. Colin Firth, who plays the King, joked that his award for best actor meant his career had peaked . Firth: I’m afraid I have to warn you, that I am experiencing stirrings , somewhere in the upper abdominals , which are threatening to form themselves into dance moves. Bowes: David Seidler, who wrote the screenplay, said he hoped the award would inspire people who are trying to overcome speech impediments . Seidler: I accept this on behalf of all the stutterers throughout the world. We have a voice. We have been heard, thanks to you, the Academy. Bowes: It wasn’t a clean sweep for The King’s Speech , out of 12 nominations it won in 4 categories, but Oscar glory is bound to boost the film’s takings at the box office. Exercise 3: Match the terms underlined in the text (1-10) with their definitions (a-j) 1. unconventional 2. funded 3. disbanded 4. peaked 5. stirrings 6. upper abdominals 7. to form themselves into 8. speech impediments 9. a clean sweep 10. takings a) money earned from selling (tickets) …. b) to come together and become …. c) here, alternative, or not following well-known or established methods …. d) financed or given money to be made …. e) medical conditions causing people to suffer difficulties with speaking …. f) reached the top, or become as good as it’s likely to get …. g) here, winning every award it was nominated for …. h) strong feelings that make you want to act in a particular way …. i) muscles around your belly or stomach …. j) taken apart or discontinue …. Exercise 4: Read the text again and decide if the following statements are true (T) or false (F) 1. The King’s Speech ’s was written and directed by Steven Spielberg 2. The film has won awards for best picture, best actor, best screenplay, best director 3. The film tells the story of a stuttering Australian speech therapist 4. George VI had also abdominal problems 5. The film has been sponsored by the British Council 6. Firth said he was happy to have received this award at the beginning of his career 7. The screenplay has been written by a person suffering from speech impediments 8. The success of a film depends on the number of Oscars awarded Exercise 5: Oscar Quiz . Choose the right answer to the following questions 1. Winners of Academy Awards frequently give tearful _____________. a) presentations b) acceptance speeches c) victory speeches d) eulogies 2. At the Academy Awards, the film stars usually arrive by ____________. a) limousine b) long car c) fork-lift truck d) long car 3. At the Academy Awards, men wear _____________. a) tuxedos b) dinner jackets c) black tie d) all of the above 4. In 2010 Jean-Luc Godard won an honorary award ___________ his development of “a new kind of cinema”. a) in recognition for b) for recognition in c) in recognition of d) in recognition to 5. Cinema is sometimes affectionately called ______________. a) the large screen b) the silver screen c) the golden screen d) the bronze-age screen 6. Which award did Melissa Leo win at this year’s Academy Awards? a) Best actress in a supporting role b) Best actress in a supported role c) Best support actress d) Second-best actress .