Grant) and the dour Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), whom she overhears calling her ... 3
. Bridget Jones's Diary is a 20th century re-interpretation of Pride and Prejudice.
UNIT 4 -
CINEMA AND TELEVISION
Lesson 4: Brit Flick Fever Text 1 - A review of Bridget Jones’s Diary Bridget Jones’s Diary is, quite simply, the finest motion picture released by Miramax Films since 1999’s The Cider House Rules. Based on the novel by Helen Fielding, the screenplay for Bridget Jones’s Diary (written by Four Weddings and a Funeral scribe Richard Curtis) successfully adapts the book into an easily-manageable 90 minutes chunk while retaining much of the humour and remaining faithful to the tone. Bridget Jones’s Diary is smart, sassy, and thoroughly enjoyable, and features one of the most endearing and believable characters to grace the screen this year. The film tells the story of a year in the life of an average, single, thirty-something British woman, who, armed with only her wits and charm (and a diary), goes in search of the ever-elusive Mr. Right. Unlucky-in-love Bridget (Renee Zellweger) has two candidates: the fun and sexy Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) and the dour Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), whom she overhears calling her a “verbally incontinent spinster” when they first meet at a party. Not surprisingly, she goes for Daniel, but he turns out to be a less-than-perfect catch. Thus, just when her interest in Mark begins to emerge (following his statement that he likes her just as she is), he hooks up with a man-eating lawyer Natasha (Embeth Davidtz), who is determined to marry him. Meanwhile, her parents’ marriage is on the rocks and she embarks upon a career in television news. (The line that gets her the position: “I got fired from my last job for sleeping with my boss”) In England, the casting of American Renee Zellweger was initially greeted with much resistance by the press and the public. It was argued that not only was Zellweger American, but she was also too skinny to play the chubby Bridget. Well, some time between casting and shooting, Zellweger put on a few pounds (she’s pleasingly plump – not fat by any means, but certainly of Kate Winslet proportions) and worked hard to perfect a British accent (there are a few slips, but they are mercifully rare). These qualities, coupled with her natural charm and screen presence, make her a flawless choice for the lead. Not since her breakthrough roles in The World Wide World and Jerry Maguire has she given a performance of this all-around quality. Zellweger embodies Bridget, and is a huge reason why the movie works. Those who have read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice will find some characters and elements in Bridget Jones’s Diary. It doesn’t take much deduction to determine that Helen Fielding is an Austen admirer, and that all of the nods to Pride and Prejudice are intentional. While it would be unfair to call Bridget Jones’s Diary a 20th-century re-interpretation of Pride and Prejudice, there are some parallels – at least one of which the filmmakers have decided to emphasise. The casting of Colin Firth as Mark Darcy is inspired. Firth, who played Mr. Darcy in the hugely popular 1995 BBC/A&E television production of Pride and Prejudice, plays this part exactly as he played the earlier role, making it evident that the two Darcys are essentially the same. He’s a repressed snob who gradually unwillingly finds himself falling for the least suitable woman around him – Bridget (who upon closer examination, bears a passing resemblance to Elizabeth Bennet). Hugh Grant brings all the charm he cam muster to the oily role of Daniel – a man who enhances his chance with Bridget by telling a lie about Mark. Like Austen’s Wickam, this guy is too good to believe, and proceeds to prove our suspicions correct. Grant who, like Firth, has appeared in an Austen adaptation (Sense and Sensibility), is at home in the role. Strong supporting performances are given by Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones as Bridget’s parents. Bridget Jones’s Diary is filled with moments of truth and flashes of humour (sometimes the two are the same. The direction, by newcomer Sharon Maguire, shows the deftness of a veteran. The energy level is consistently high and the characters (especially Bridget) don’t take long to endear themselves to the 83
audience. The result is worthy of exultation, especially the bleakness of the winter/spring cinematic landscape. I smiled at the biting one-liners, laughed at both the subtle and the overt comedic aspects, and nodded my head in sympathy with Bridget’s all-too-familiar plight – and I’m a male. Imagine the female reaction. Congratulations to all involved. Bridget Jones’s Diary is a triumph. READING COMPREHENSION
Exercise 1: Decide if the following statements are true (T) or false (F) 1. The reviewer did not like the film at all 2. Bridget Jones’s Diary is a movie about an American woman played by a British actress 3. Bridget Jones’s Diary is a 20th century re-interpretation of Pride and Prejudice 4. The Mr. Darcy in Bridget Jones’s Diary is completely different from the Mr. Darcy in the film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice 5. The only problem with the film Bridget Jones’s Diary is that it is not funny VOCABULARY
Exercise 2: In the text there are a lot of words related to the world of cinema. List them below under the headings Noun, Adjective, Verb NOUN
ADJECTIVE
VERB
Exercise 3: The words that follow have been underlined in the text. Are they compound adjectives or compound nouns? 1. easily-manageable 2. thirty-something 3. ever-elusive 4. less-than-perfect 5. man-eating 6. all-round 7. all-too-familiar 8. unlucky-in-love
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Text 2 - A British Film Crowned at 2011 Oscars: The King's Speech The King's Speech won the best picture award at the Oscars. The film about King George VI's battle to overcome a speech difficulty won a total of four Academy Awards, including best actor for Colin Firth. - Peter Bowes reports from Los Angeles. The words every filmmaker wants to hear: Spielberg: And the Oscar goes to… Bowes: … came from the legendary Hollywood director, Steven Spielberg. Spielberg: The King's Speech… Bowes: The film tells the story of how George VI employed an unconventional speech therapist from Australia to help him overcome his problem with stammering. Funded in part by the UK Film Council, a body which is being disbanded by the government, the film also won the award for best original screenplay and best director. Colin Firth, who plays the King, joked that his award for best actor meant his career had peaked. Firth: I'm afraid I have to warn you, that I am experiencing stirrings, somewhere in the upper abdominals, which are threatening to form themselves into dance moves. Bowes: David Seidler, who wrote the screenplay, said he hoped the award would inspire people who are trying to overcome speech impediments. Seidler: I accept this on behalf of all the stutterers throughout the world. We have a voice. We have been heard, thanks to you, the Academy. Bowes: It wasn't a clean sweep for The King's Speech, out of 12 nominations it won in 4 categories, but Oscar glory is bound to boost the film's takings at the box office. Peter Bowes, BBC News
Exercise 4: Match the following terms with their definitions 1. unconventional 2. funded 3. disbanded 4. peaked 5. stirrings 6. upper abdominals 7. to form themselves into 8. speech impediments 9. a clean sweep 10. takings
a) money earned from selling (tickets) b) to come together and become c) here, alternative, or not following well-known or established methods d) financed or given money to be made e) medical conditions causing people to suffer difficulties with speaking f) reached the top, or become as good as it’s likely to get g) here, winning every award it was nominated for h) strong feelings that make you want to act in a particular way i) muscles around your belly or stomach j) taken apart or discontinue
Exercise 5: Read and listen to the text and decide if the following statements are true (T) or false (F) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
The King's Speech's director is Steven Spielberg The film has won awards for best picture, best actor, best screenplay, best director The film tells the story of a stuttering Australian speech therapist George VI had also abdominal problems The film has been sponsored by the British Council The screenplay has been written by a person suffering from speech impediments The success of a film depends on the number of Oscars awarded
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Exercise 6: Oscar Quiz. Choose the right answer to the following questions 1. Winners of Academy Awards frequently give tearful _______. a) presentations b) acceptance speeches c) victory speeches d) eulogies 2. At the Academy Awards, the film stars usually arrive by _______. a) limousine b) long car c) fork-lift truck d) long car 3. At the Academy Awards, men wear _______. a) tuxedos b) dinner jackets c) black tie d) all of the above 4. In 2010 Jean-Luc Godard won an honorary award ______ his development of "a new kind of cinema". a) in recognition for b) for recognition in c) in recognition of d) in recognition to 5. Cinema is sometimes affectionately called _______. a) the large screen b) the silver screen c) the golden screen d) the bronze-age screen 6. Which award did Melissa Leo win at this year's Academy Awards? a) Best actress in a supporting role b) Best actress in a supported role c) Best support actress d) Second-best actress GRAMMAR NOTE:
Future forms
English has several forms to express the future. Three of these are 1) will/won’t, 2) going to and 3) the present continuous. Examples: I’ll see you later We’re going to see a film tonight. Do you want to come? I’m seeing the doctor tomorrow evening The speaker chooses one of them depending on when the decision was taken, and how the speaker sees the future event 1 ) Prediction (will and going to) a future fact or prediction. It is called the pure future or the Future Simple. Examples: We’ll be away for two weeks Those flowers won’t grow under the tree. It’s too dark. Our love will last forever. You’ll be sick if you eat all those sweets.
WILL expresses
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Will for a prediction can be based more on an opinion than a fact. I think Laura will do very well in her exams. I am convinced that inflation will fall to 3 percent next year. I hope she will come. GOING TO
It can express a prediction especially when it is based on a present fact. There is evidence now that something is certain to happen. Examples: She’s going to have a baby (we can see she’s pregnant) Liverpool are going to win the match (It’s four nil, and there’s only five minutes left) It isn’t going to rain today (look at that lovely blue sky!) Sometimes there is no difference between will and going to Ex: This government will ruin/is going to ruin the country with its stupid economic policies 2) Decisions and intentions (will and going to) WILL is also used as a modal auxiliary verb to express a decision, intention or offer made at the moment of speaking Examples: ‘It’s Jane’s birthday today.’ - ‘Is it? I’ll buy her some flowers.’ I’ll have the steak please! / I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye! Give a ring some time. We’ll go out for a drink. / Give the bag back or we’ll call the police! Remember that you can’t use the present tense for this use!. NOT I have the steak or I see you tomorrow!! GOING TO is used to express a future plan, decision or intention, made before the moment of speaking Examples: When I grow up, I’m going to be a doctor Jane and Peter are going to get married after they’ve graduated We’re going to paint this room blue I’m going to visit England next summer 3) Arrangements (Present continuous) The Present Continuous can be used to express a future arrangement, especially between people (usually in the near future) Examples: We’re going out with Jeremy tonight I’m having my hair cut tomorrow What are we having for lunch? In general, for things you’re doing in the next few days or weeks (as written in a diary). The verbs express some kind of activity or movement Examples: I’m meeting Peter tonight / The Taylors are coming for dinner I’m seeing the doctor in the morning / We’re going to a party Saturday night Remember that you can’t use the present tense for this use NOT I meet Peter tonight or I see the doctor in the morning or What do you do this evening?!!! - Sometimes there’s no difference between and agreed arrangement (present continuous) and an intention (going to). Example: We’re going to get / We’re getting married in the spring ***Remember that it is better to avoid saying going to go or going to come. Ex: We’re coming tomorrow - When are you going home? 87
NOTE: Will is also used 1) to offer to do sth: ‘I need some money’ - ‘Don’t worry. I’ll lend you some.’ 2) to agree or refuse to do sth: ‘Can I have my book back?’ - ‘Of course. I’ll bring it back this evening’. The car won’t start (= the car refuses to start) 3) to promise to do sth: I won’t tell Tom what you said. I promise. / I promise I’ll phone you as soon as I arrive. 4) to ask someone to do sth. Will you shut the door, please? / Will you marry me? BUT: Shall we go to the pub tonight?: shall + we to propose to do something Exercise 7: Put the verbs into the correct form 1. A. I’ve got a terrible headache. B. Have you? Wait there and I ____________________ (get) an aspirin for you. 2. A. Why are you filling that bucket with water? B. ____________________________ (wash) the car. 3. A. I’ve decided to repaint this room. B. Oh, have you? What colour ________________________ (you/paint) it? 4. A. Look! There’s smoke coming out of that house. It’s on fire! B. Good heavens! I ___________________ (call) the fire-brigade immediately. 5. A. The ceiling in this room doesn’t look very safe, does it? B. No, it looks as if it ______________________ (fall) down. 6. A. Where are you going? Are you going shopping? B. Yes, I _____________________________ (buy) something for dinner. 7. A. I can’t work out how to use this camera. B. It’s quite easy. I ___________________ (show) you. 8. A. What would you like to drink - tea or coffee? B. I ___________________ (have) tea, please. 9. A. Has George decided what to do when he leaves school? B. Oh, yes. Everything is planned. He _________________________ (have) a holiday for a few weeks and then he ______________________ (start) a computer programming course. 10. A. Did you post that letter for me? B. Oh, I’m sorry. I completely forgot. I _____________________ (do) it now. 11 A. What shall we have for dinner? B. I don’t know. I can’t make up my mind. A. Come on, hurry up! Make a decision! B. Okay, then. We _______________________ (have) chicken. 12. Jack: We need some bread for lunch. Ben: Oh, do we? I _________________ (go) to the shop and get some. I feel like a walk. Before he goes out, Ben talks to Jane. Ben: I ______________________ (get) some bread. Do you want anything from the shop? Jane: Yes, I need some envelopes.. Ben: Okay, I ___________________ (get) you some. 13. A. Do you think Tom ____________________ (get) the job? B. I think he __________________ 14. Oh, dear. It’s 8 o’ clock and we are still here. We _________________ (be) late. 15. A. You look terrible! I hope you _____________________ (can) to join the party. B. Don’t worry. I feel better now. I ____________________ (come) to Jane’s party. 16. Tom: Can you come on Monday evening? John checks his diary. John: Sorry, I’d love to but I ________________________ (play) football at 9 p.m. Tom: What about Tuesday evening then? John: I can’t I’m afraid. I ________________________ (meet) Julia at 8 p.m. 17. A. Can you phone me later? B. Sure. I ________________________ tonight. I promise. 18. _____________________ (be) quiet please? I’m trying to concentrate. 88
