Much like how I did with various Modern Adaptations of Shakespeare’s Classics here is a quick list of various modernizations of Jane Austen’s novels that I have seen and appreciated on some level (so this is by no means a comprehensive list by any stretch of the imagination):
EMMA
Clueless

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Bride and Prejudice
I Love You Because
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries

Now the interesting thing to note is that I actually did a little bit of research about this and realized that out of six of Jane Austen’s novels only two have been modernized and adapted whilst still keeping the intergrity of the primary storyline and the majority of the characters.

Rather odd if you ask me.

Granted one of the major modernizations that most everyone would know about but I have yet to have seen would be Bridget Jones’ Diary. Now why haven’t I seen it? Simple, because all the clips and trailers I have found online haven’t lured me enough to have any kind of desire to watch the movie itself. It is simple not my cup of tea from what I have been able to see. Sad isn’t it?

So since I have already devoted several posts to The Lizzie Bennet Diaries I am not going to touch that particular modern adaptation in this particular post, instead just focusing on the other three…

Clueless
When I first watched this particular film I will admit that I did not read Emma nor did I have any real notion or idea that this was a modernization as such. My only exposure to Jane Austen at the time was with Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice… so imagine my surprise when I started reading the other novels and researching them when I noticed the glaring similarities between Clueless and Emma…

Yeeeeeaaaaah. I am an idiot.

Granted this was a film that I rather enjoyed in my youth, but for some reason… although I appreciate it more in my old age, it is not something I would appreciate nearly as much nowadays.

Ah well.

Bride and Prejudice
What drew me to this particular film wasn’t the premise, or the fact that this was an adaptation of Pride & Prejudice… it was that the primary actress was Aishwarya Rai, one of the most beautiful people in the world.

So when I researched more about the film I took a chance and fell in love with the music… then again this was Bollywood and I found over my time babysitting children of Indian families that I rather enjoy Bollywood films in general when there is catching music, a fun storyline and good acting (but doesn’t that go for pretty much anything?).

Granted when you have a song like “No Wife Without Wife” how can you say no?

I Love You Because
Now I don’t remember how I got introduced to this particular off-Broadway musical, perhaps it was while I was listening to one of the online Broadway radio stations… or perhaps it is while I was going through various clips via Amazon.com… whichever the case the best way to describe this particular show is that it is an inverted modern adaptation of Pride & Prejudice.

Odd I know… but I really don’t know how to describe it… not only that but the fact that to say anymore than that would just give too much away. However, here is one of my favorite songs from the show… if only because it caters to my mathematical brain

IN GENERAL
Now looking back I could kind of see why only two of Jane Austen’s six novels have been modernized in any capacity, however… I will admit that I remembered seeing a Bollywood film adaptation of Sense & Sensibility and there was one of Emma that was going through the pipeline.

On the same token there was another modernization based off of Sense & Sensibility called From Prada to Nada, which oddly enough I just don’t have the desire to watch either.

Yeah… I am bad… so sue me. 🙂 In any case, the above just gives an idea of my tastes just a lot of flimsy, frolicking, fun and games… but what can you do?