And so it began.
I kicked off this official session of "research" with two friends who were on seminary council with me, so they are well-acquainted with the eccentricities of Mormon culture. We watched "The Singles Ward" (2002). I cannot even explain how awful it is--on par with "Mobsters and Mormons". The protagonist, an inactive Mormon divorced comedian in his late-20s, talks to the audience like a knock-off of Ferris Bueller, whilst falling for a straight-laced soon-to-be sister missionary and simultaneously falling back into the LDS church.
Like "Mobsters and Mormons", it's a boring piece of unconfident storytelling that tries to force humor constantly. Plus, the supporting cast is better than the leads, which makes me think that had it been refocussed on those characters and dynamics, it could have been good. [Kevin Malone voice]: "What a waste."
I guess I took issue with how much of a loser the protagonist Jonathan is shown to be, but then everyone just adores him. Wha??? No. The script was :( and most people (even Mormons) wouldn't catch the Mormon celebrity cameos without doing some research. I was rooting for the girl, Cami, or Kammi, or Cammie, or however she spells it (hey, it is Utah!), and I like that she went through with her mission instead of throwing her preparation and calling away, but again, Jonathan seems like a huge loser.
Did I enjoy watching it? Solid meh. Did I squirm in annoyance constantly? Basically. My final rating would be a generous 51% (it must be just over half). Sorry Swenson; I can't wait to watch your probably equally bad Mormon movies ("Sons of Provo", here I come!).
That was last Thursday. On Monday, while my parents and brother were on Trek (Mormon pioneer LARPing), I invited a few friends over for another Mormon movie night. "Pride and Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy" (2003) was the material, two Catholic girls and two Mormon girls the audience. I should also note that one of those Catholic friends has not yet watched or read "Pride and Prejudice", so she was going into this with next to no idea of what to expect.
Cinnamon roll is too pure for this experience
I was really excited to watch this one in particular because I love "Pride and Prejudice", and the BYU culture is well formed for an adaption of the themes and plot. I was eager not to be disappointed, however, due to genre, I knew I had to be prepared for the overwhelming possibility...
And I was disappointed, but only a little. I was irked by how Elizabeth Bennet was rewritten as weaker character (weak primarily in her actual intellect). Also, I would have liked more Mormon and BYU culture in the movie. I know this is risky, because then the film gains a very specific appeal, but I think more eccentric and more consistent cultural displays would have aided the manifestation of the "Pride and Prejudice" plot. I wanted more Bingley sisters and Alpine-Mormon arrogance, and I definitely needed Elizabeth to have more pressure on her to get married. That is what drives most of the plot in the book: economic, cultural, and familial pressure to get hitched. Presumably this would become strictly cultural in the Mormon adaptation, but that would work for me, if only there were accentuated pressure. There is not enough pressure to get married for it to be believable!
What I liked... First, precious Cinnamon Roll and I fawned over Darcy's hair for the entirety of the two hour feature, because his curls are Colin Firth-fleek. We all fawned over the puppy-like Bingley because he was so dorky and precious. I liked that the ladies had their hoorah--even little things like Elizabeth fixed her own car by the side of the highway, no help needed. Collins was sufficiently awkward and pompous, which is very important. Wickham was almost too much of a loser for it to work out, but since he's supposed to a bad apple, I guess it worked out aight. AND I LOVE THAT WICKHAM AND LYDIA ELOPED TO VEGAS, oh my gosh. The little nods to "Pride and Prejudice" were not lost, like how the restaurant Elizabeth meets and tells Darcy off in is called "Rosings", after the "Pride and Prejudice" estate where Elizabeth turns down Darcy's first proposal. Nice touch, guys. Also worth mentioning is the pool (game) scene, because the drama is just flying: black backdrop, witty remarks, cas honesty, Wickham's black shirt, and the fact that playing pool just triples drama... I was dying, just a bit.
My final percentage rating is 65%, and my overall review is that it is "well-conceived, poorly executed". My favorite "weird adaption" of the book is still "Bride and Prejudice", the Bollywood version. Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh...
and...
The "Pride and Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy" Crew
Scout
