(Sunday, March 20, 2016, vernal equinox) moon: waxing gibbous Virgo / tarot: Chariot reversed
Cinema dream:
I have been waiting many years for the version of “Pride and Prejudice” starring Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen to show up streaming on Netflix. Finally, it arrived. I have watched it three times in the last week, and also watched Austen’s “Mansfield Park.”
I feel Jane is speaking to me right now. I devoured all of her books when I was in grade school, as well as those written by the Bronte sisters, Dickens and many others.
The film version of “Pride and Prejudice” is nearly perfect. The cinematography, set and costume designs are exquisite. The first few times I viewed the film, I was drawn to the character of Elizabeth Bennett. Keira Knightly is a forceful and energetic actress with hypnotic, dark eyes. But recently, I have been pulled into the much more subtle performance of Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy. The camera often follows him as he follows Elizabeth, and sometimes the scene seems to be shot from his viewpoint. His eyes are Celtic blue, star-like, and express his unconditional love and passion for Elizabeth.
A theme of Austen’s is the scrappy, intelligent woman of low birth being rescued and adored by the fine upper-class gentleman. Because I have been feeling so low, I find it very healing to watch Mr. Darcy. When he gazes directly into the camera, I have the sense of being the recipient of his deep, warm and faithful heart.
Jung would have something to say about all of this. My inner male doesn’t spend much time relating to my inner female, at least in the present moment. I long for his attention.
In “Mansfield Park” there is a scene where Fanny Price reads aloud from a history of Joan of Arc, in a light-hearted way. Later her two cousins play the glass harmonica invented by Ben Franklin. I find it powerfully odd that the two past lives Sabine thought were mine are included in one book, one film. By a writer I love so devoutly. Synchronous events abound in my life right now, like threads in a symphony. No logic to most of them but they charm and amuse.
Lovely, writing. How nice to experience a film that feeds your inner feminine. And I love that Joan of Arc and Ben Franklin make an appearance together. I wonder if Ben would look at Joan with the same adoring eyes as Mr. Darcy does with Elizabeth?!