Jim, my objections to Colin Firth as Darcy were never intended to be a comparison of the actors who played Darcy in PP2 and PP3, although I definitely preferred Matthew Macfadyen, notwithstanding the lousy script. My objections are based on a comparison of how JA intended Darcy to be, as depicted throughout the book, versus how Firth played him. [As an aside, Firth admitted that he never read P&P before he was cast and I haven't found anything that confirms he read it afterwards. He may have just read the script which could account for his failure to portray Darcy as described in the book.]
JA initially described Darcy as haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well bred, were not inviting. In my opinion, this is exactly how Firth portrays Darcy throughout PP2. Very little depth, mask in place.
JA's Darcy openly shows an interest in Elizabeth early in the book; Firth's Darcy does not, although I agree that he stares at Elizabeth a great deal. Consider the following actions/reactions of JA's Darcy that I do not think are evident in Firth's performance:
• Darcy smiles at Elizabeth a lot – the only smile I remember Firth making was at the very end of the movie after they marry
o . . . his defect is a propensity to hate every body, Darcy replied with a smile . . .
o He smiled, and assured her that whatever she wished him to say should be said . . .
o What think you of books? said he, smiling
o I am not afraid of you, said he, smilingly
o Darcy smiled, and said, . . . No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you, can think any thing wanting . . .
• As early as the party at Lucas Lodge, Darcy felt he had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by Elizabeth
• Darcy's admiration of Elizabeth was sufficiently unguarded that Miss Bingley saw, or suspected enough to be jealous of his attentions to Elizabeth
• After dancing with her at the Netherfield Ball, Darcy had a tolerable powerful feeling towards Elizabeth
• At Rosings, Darcy teased and flirted with Elizabeth
Regarding the casting of Jane in PP2, just because I am female does not mean I cannot appreciate beauty in a woman. Jane Bennet is described as the most beautiful creature [Bingley] ever beheld, the only handsome girl at the assembly by Darcy, and the prettiest of the five Bennet daughters. I do not mean this as a slight to the actress who played Jane in PP2, but she simply did not have beauty enough to distinguish her as described by the other characters.
Finally, this is just my opinion -- there is no right or wrong answer. So please do not take offense at what I say.
JA initially described Darcy as haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well bred, were not inviting. In my opinion, this is exactly how Firth portrays Darcy throughout PP2. Very little depth, mask in place.
JA's Darcy openly shows an interest in Elizabeth early in the book; Firth's Darcy does not, although I agree that he stares at Elizabeth a great deal. Consider the following actions/reactions of JA's Darcy that I do not think are evident in Firth's performance:
• Darcy smiles at Elizabeth a lot – the only smile I remember Firth making was at the very end of the movie after they marry
o . . . his defect is a propensity to hate every body, Darcy replied with a smile . . .
o He smiled, and assured her that whatever she wished him to say should be said . . .
o What think you of books? said he, smiling
o I am not afraid of you, said he, smilingly
o Darcy smiled, and said, . . . No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you, can think any thing wanting . . .
• As early as the party at Lucas Lodge, Darcy felt he had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by Elizabeth
• Darcy's admiration of Elizabeth was sufficiently unguarded that Miss Bingley saw, or suspected enough to be jealous of his attentions to Elizabeth
• After dancing with her at the Netherfield Ball, Darcy had a tolerable powerful feeling towards Elizabeth
• At Rosings, Darcy teased and flirted with Elizabeth
Regarding the casting of Jane in PP2, just because I am female does not mean I cannot appreciate beauty in a woman. Jane Bennet is described as the most beautiful creature [Bingley] ever beheld, the only handsome girl at the assembly by Darcy, and the prettiest of the five Bennet daughters. I do not mean this as a slight to the actress who played Jane in PP2, but she simply did not have beauty enough to distinguish her as described by the other characters.
Finally, this is just my opinion -- there is no right or wrong answer. So please do not take offense at what I say.