I have found competition for the BBC miniseries called the Lizzie Bennet Diaries. A modernization of Pride and Prejudice. Lizzie is a grad student in media and communications, and is doing a vlog for a school project. What follows in the vlog is amazing.
The whole story is told through the vlog and nothing is missed. It is beautifully done, and the heartache and love and beauty is all there in 100 3-5 minute episodes.
Yes, there are some changes from the book. Kitty is now a cat. Mary is now a cousin. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst are no where to be seen. Mrs. Gardner is now Lizzies grad adviser. I agree with these changes - in a modern story where having to marry off 5 daughters and attempting to produce a son isn't an imperative. And so Kitty and Mary were not needed. The characters that were the focus of the sisters were always Lizzie, Jane and Lydia. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst never added much except to show how easy Mr. Bingley was to take advantage of. And the Gardners were characters introduced to give Elizabeth the reason to end up at Pemberly. This adaptation finds new ways to do it, and does it well.
The acting is really good. And surprisingly poignant especially with Lydia. In the book, you never really get to learn more about Lydia than that she is selfish and vain. And yes, she is portrayed here as selfish and vain, but oh so much more. Beautifully done. Mary (through The Lydia Bennet vlogs) is given more duty and depth as well despite being minor character. Wickham remains a unredeemable jerk, Darcy the socially awkward wonderful man he is, and Bing Lee (Bingley) the sweet, and lovable counter part to Jane.
All in all, the best adaptation of Pride and Prejudice since the BBC Miniseries. Move over Colin Firth, Daniel Gordh is definitely a winner as Darcy.
