UPDATED: it has taught me to hope as I'd scarcely allowed myself before...
finally sharing a video & what i've watched recently while avoiding book edits :)
Just a quick little musing today, as last week I decided to do a major rewrite of a couple chapters of the book, thus pausing the soul crushing despair that is querying for a week or so. But I’m using this substack as a way to “productively procrastinate” another read through. Spring is here. Spring is AWESOME! Seriously the cherry blossoms are out the magnolias on the terrace have bloomed and flowered in the last like three days. Hope springs eternal, blah blah. But! Here are some thoughts on things I’ve watched recently.
This past weekend was the 20th Anniversary of the 2005 Film Adaption of Pride and Prejudice. Directed by Joe Wright, Starring Kiera Knightley and Matthew McFadyen. Let me tell you, how this movie has been not only a core part of my personality since I first saw it in theaters in eighth grade, but also a core piece of the puzzle that informs my creative inclinations. I really do have to give Joe Wright credit for being a man, who really just got the female gaze so well. In the director commentary, he says something about wanting the film to be really and gritty. Which it is. But also, so stunningly gorgeous, and not at the sake of giving characters one dimensions.
As i’ve grown older, I’ve particularly liked the treatment of Mrs. Bennet, she’s anxious, and flight and shallow, sure, but unlike other adaptions there’s an undercurrent of real fear for her daughters, which comes off as histrionic and ridiculous in others - making a mountain out of a molehill. The story of Lizzie and Darcy will always be one of the top tier ones, and of course, there’s much noise on the internet these days about the Hand Flex (TM).
But at the time, my poor little thirteen-year-old heart who had a terrible crush on a guy who had no idea, thought it was the MOST INSANE ROMANTIC THING! That he reacts like that to just touching her!!!! As I write this, it now occurs to me that dating and crushes in middle school really does resemble courting in regency england. Anyway. I fucking love this movie. Remember that post I did, about how when I was twenty-two, instead of going to party in Ibiza or Mykonos or whatever, I decided to do a solo road trip through England to visit the grand houses? Yeah, here it is. Chatsworth, of course, is still to this day one of the most magical places I’ve been to. Whether it was influenced by the movie or not, is probably a chicken or egg scenario, but it doesn’t take away the splendor.
So Naturally, when they announced a few months back that they would be doing a theatrical re release I bought a bunch of tickets, and ended up going with two girlfriends. Which was great, because we all had had really intense days for one reason or another, and I can’t tell you how watching that movie on a huge screen in the dark, really just regulated my emotions again. But I’ve seen this movie hundreds of times. I’d actually not be surprised if it was in the thousands. I watch it at least once a month, and have since it came out on DVD after the original theatrical release. (For the record I will be this annoying next year for the 20th anniversary of Marie Antoinette).
That being said, While I have self-professedly not really gotten into TV much recently (I skipped the whole season of White Lotus, but yes I’m aware of the incest thing, and who dies at the end).
I like to tell people that there are three pillars: Reading Books, Writing Books, and Watching TV. And I’m deep in the first two (sorry I prefer reading over TV – it shuts my brain off better than TV) BUT LET ME TELL YOU. The Residence on Netflix has broken that dry spell, combined with the rerelease of my beloved as mentioned above. I’m already on my second rewatch IN THE LAST WEEK. IT’S SO smart and funny and clever. I can’t recommend it highly enough to anyone and everyone. Not being able to actually guess who the murderer is, is always a treat actually. It even has the Charade opening titles song in Episode 7!!! And I don’t know what it is with the writer’s thing with Australians (it’s like a weird beef, which I don't’ understand , I love Australians). And the whole thing with the Australian state dinner is a hilarious conceit. I’ve always loved Agatha Christie, but between all the nods to that, Sherlock Holmes, and other comedic capers (see above with Charade), it feels light particularly given all the other things that I’m currently ignoring. And much needed. Regardless, There’s something pretty wonderful in the air over there in Shondaland.
UPDATE: (forgot to include this bit) Another thing brewing in the air? My first project back in the director’s seat since 2019ish. Very excited to do this in collaboration with the Frick Collection and Young Fellows Ball Sponsor and Co-Chair Bach Mai - who designed the gorgeous dress in the video. It’s short, it’s sweet. But I’m happy with the creative division despite the multiple restrictions placed on us. It was a really excellent chance to flex my creative muscles. And will lead to many more.
Happy Spring, Friends. Go Forth and Conquer, Etc.
XOXO
Casey
Cannot get enough of reading about you in the eight grade!