Oh Maureen Dowd…

If anyone could suffer through the entirety of one of her columns, they would see the longing to “understand” Obama that underlies all of her endeavors. Alas, since it is so dang hard to get to the end without throwing up, I am mostly left with a sense that he must have said something vaguely dismissive to her recently.

Wasn’t there another Bennett sister: a flirtatious, headstrong critter named Lydia who is supported by her mother (ie: the right wing media)? Even though she’s a writer, I think I know where Maureen fits into her PRIDE AND PREJUDICE analysis.

Yes, OMG MoDo is so Lydia Bennett…

For a second I thought you were referring to Jane and I was going to come to her simplistic and delicately feminine defense, but yeah, Lydia, definitely. 

Though she might be more like Kitty, who is a lot like Lydia except less interesting and intelligent.

After years of having to do their own household chores and holding down a job, the feminazis saw the dawning of a new age of poor and/or minority nannies/maids having to work for them.  Glory be!  A notslave to do the work for cheap.  A nanny to watch the offspring while Moms goes to lunch.  A maid to clean up after the party.  Poor notslaves to put up with her need to have a spotless and dustless McMansion.  Notslaves who didn’t dare talk back or get uppity.

Then Obama comes along and speaks of hope.  Dammit!  None of the lower orders will want to be notslaves.  They’ll expect universal healthcare and living-wage jobs and will tell me to do my own work.  But…but…but…I’m so Entitled !!!

Actually, Kitty was the name that first leaped to my mind (no pun intended).

But I couldn’t remember enough about the book, which I last read in high school or early undergrad, to differentiate the younger flirts. Every time i see Mo on TV, she is virtually rubbing up against Bill Maher or some other asshat of his ilk. (Apologies to those who still like BM).

Yeah, same here, Foucault—I had to take it to Wikipedia before posting a rebuttal in defense of Lydia, who I remembered as being the older sister who is less intelligent and more of a “delicate flower” type, but still overall a good person who just wants a few simple things for herself.  Wherein I discovered that Lydia is the silly and flighty younger sister who runs away with whatshisname, and finally got your reference. 

Though I’ve been delving pretty deeply into Austen in general lately, and feel like I’ve seen about 20 different film versions of P&P;in the last year alone, though I know that’s not possible.  So I might have a leg up.

Ugh.  I was browsing through the online Times just a few minutes ago, and say the whole “Obama is Darcy thing” and was a little confused.  I nearly clicked on it, but saw it was by Dowd just in time, and new it wasn’t going to be at all worth it or comprehensible, and should just wait for a blog to pick it up.  Sure enough…

There is no worthwhile “Pride & Prejudice” motion picture production EXCEPT the 6 hour BBC series with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.

Which I’ve seen 18 times.  Literally.

There is no worthwhile “Pride & Prejudice” motion picture production EXCEPT the 6 hour BBC series with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.

Abhorrent. Colin Firth ruins whatever he’s in. People seem to think he’s “brooding”, but all I see is his vacant, cow-eyed idiot stare. Gawd he was awful in “Momma Mia.”

The movie with Kiera Knightly has been the best version, hands-down, largely because it not only omits Colin Firth, but a great deal of nonsense from the book, as well. Matt McFayden’s Mr Darcy brooded so hard I think it set my hair on fire.

No way.  The Kiera Knightly version—symbolism is so heavy-handed in that movie.  It’s like the people making it were trying really hard to get an A in school with it.

The BBC version had much better supporting actors.  And Ehle and Firth are better too.

Gawd he was awful in “Momma Mia.”

The fact that you paid to see Mama Mia on its opening weekend or the few days since then proves that your cinematic opinions probably aren’t worth taking seriously.

I prefer the BBC version, but probably because it came out first and was my formative exposure to the text.  The Knightley version is beautifully shot, costumed, and art-directed (and location-scouted too, for that matter), which is all I really ask for in a period piece.

I’m thinking Lanny Davis is Mrs. Bennett.

The fact that you paid to see Mama Mia on its opening weekend or the few days since then proves that your cinematic opinions probably aren’t worth taking seriously.

There’s no second-run movie theatre in town anymore, so it’s not like the movies get cheaper over time.

So, you know, cram it up your ass. You’ve never had an opinion on anything worth taking seriously.

The Kiera Knightly version—symbolism is so heavy-handed in that movie.

You understand that we’re talking about a movie based on a Jane Austen novel, right?

The Prom Queen of Sulzberger High.

Best. Description. of. MoDo. Ever.

I pleasantly disagree. Maybe being an older person I appreciate Dowd’s died red hair and certain charms. She is a male deflater: whether he be the Trousersnake Clinton, Arrogant GW or Haughty Obama. But those guys need to get over themselves. She’s on solid ground in her definitions and writes mirthfully. I doubt I’d last a night with her but I don’t need to as I have a charming mate already. I wonder if and when she’ll find a man that won’t be deflated by her. Meanwhile, I’d love to have over to dinner even if she may be a little loud although probably she’s a nice guest.

She also in the past said nice things about Obama including that he’s nice to his Secret Service agents (unlike the Clintons who are also incredibly arrogant, more even than GW). But it’s obvious Obama’s in trouble in his attitude and the polls show it. He’d not do worst than consulting with Maureen.

And what’s that girl with the sparkling smile have anything to do with the fact that Obama’s needing a makeover…Soon!?

The Darcy actors are interchangeable as far as I’m concerned, but Ehle’s Lizzy is far superior, and the story feels a lot less contrived when it isn’t boiled down to the fewest possible plot-points. The BBC version makes me grin like an idiot; the recent movie is just cute and well-filmed.

There’s no second-run movie theatre in town anymore, so it’s not like the movies get cheaper over time.

My point was more that A) you actually paid to see Mama Mia in the cinema, as opposed to waiting till you could just throw it in your Netflix queue or maybe catch it on cable or via air travel; and B) you bothered to see it right away as opposed to waiting until it had lingered in your local theater for a few weeks and just happened to be the only thing showing at the time you happened to feel like seeing a movie. 

My opinion stands.  Mama Mia?  Ew.  Cementing an assertion about film with the fact that you actually saw that movie, like, on purpose and right when it came out is a pretty good tell of what said assertion is actually worth.

I paid to see Mamma Mia because it was the film showing on the parents and babies showing at the nearest cinema and I really needed to see a film.  Plus, it’s not too long to take a 7 month old to, and not complex enough to lose track of the plot when dealing with said 7 month old.

Do I get to have an opinion? 

I appreciate that those are rather specific circumstances, but unless you know all specific circumstances of all people in the world everm discounting a film opinion on the basis that someone as seen a film you snobbishly consider below you is just stupid.

It’s more the way Chet used it.  He threw out his opinion on Pride & Prejudice as if it was somehow authoritative, then kind of ruined it by cementing the whole thing with a reference to Mama Mia. 

People are fully allowed to go see Mama Mia if they want, they just shouldn’t try to use that as leverage for Why My Opinion On Film Is Correct, And Yours Is Not. 

I’ve paid to see many a horrid and/or totally lowbrow film in the theater, but then again I don’t go around pretending that my cinematic opinions are Cahiers du Cinema material.

datadave, the fact that you couldn’t even get through a paragraph defending Dowd’s writing without fantasizing about what fucking her would be like says tons about how seriously anyone should take your argument.

Given the choice, I think anti-feminist single MoDo is way better than married/partnered MoDo. She’d just be a Caitlin Flanagan type, and we’re up to our ears in “you lesser ladies need to drop your silly jobs and worship my exceptionalism” types already.

My point was more that A) you actually paid to see Mama Mia in the cinema, as opposed to waiting till you could just throw it in your Netflix queue or maybe catch it on cable or via air travel;

Let me get this straight.

You’re wondering why I paid to see a musical with the sound coming over the theatre’s Digital Dolby setup, as opposed to the tinny, shitty minispeakers on my TV, or on airline headphones?

Remind me why anybody thinks you’re not a moron, Opoponax?

you bothered to see it right away as opposed to waiting until it had lingered in your local theater for a few weeks and just happened to be the only thing showing at the time you happened to feel like seeing a movie.

It was, actually, the only thing on when we felt like seeing a movie. We’d been to Dark Knight and Hellboy II already. It wasn’t exactly my first choice, anyway; if you’d ever been able in your life to convince another person to go see a movie with you, you might understand what it means to have to compromise on the selection.

People are fully allowed to go see Mama Mia if they want, they just shouldn’t try to use that as leverage for Why My Opinion On Film Is Correct, And Yours Is Not.

Funny, but that’s not what I did at all. It was just an example of something Colin Firth sucked in.

Truly, you couldn’t be any stupider.

Hate to go with Chet on this one, but yeah, Opponax, get over yourself, grumpy.

People people people…

If you’re going to waste your time with MAMA MIA, then the only way to see it right is on Broadway!
http://www.wintergarden-theater.com/

Otherwise, you might as well sit home on your ass and listen to ABBA.

By teh way, I have not yet seen MAMA MIA (and nor do I plan to) but I did once get *free* tickets from my husband’s friend to see MOVIN’ OUT on Broadway. I emphasize free because I could never bear to see such a goofy concept as the jukebox musical with my own money.

But it was surprisingly delightful to witness some of my favorite Billy Joel songs remade into a narrative about coming of age in the Viet Nam years. And now, whenever I here “Uptown Town,” I remember this little blonde dancer with red panties showing from underneath her flaring skirt. And whenever I here “Goodnight Saigon,” I visualize these four guys jumping over a fake hill at center stage. It’s GRE-EAT! as Tony the Tiger would say.

Cirque Soleil is my next frontier…

Oh, come on. Darcy’s “pride” is really rooted in shyness, and Firth captured that with his fidgitiness as he exerted himself to be friendly. That’s why visiting his manor changed Lizzy’s opinion. Hearing from the townspeople and servants what a lovely, kindly man he was made her realize she truly had put too much faith in first impressions.

Dowd cannot be Kitty- for one thing, Kitty was activly, aggressivly stupid- and for another, she spent a lot of time activly and aggresivly getting laid. Dowd does neither.

On the other hand- I clicked through to Bob Herbert, and found it fairly rewarding, as Gail “Milquetoast” Collins had the day off.

The BBC series was more faithful because it had more time, but the movie was better at portraying the vast differences in social status between Darcy and the Bennetts.

I think Obama makes a fine Darcy and I made the photoshop to prove it.

That’s a beautiful photo, Mo MoDo. Obama’s hairline may need a tad of work, but otherwise it is fabulous.

Indy, it’s been a while since I have read Pride and Prejudice, but I can’t recall ANYONE getting laid in those books! I always looked for the sex scenes, and could not find one decent shred of sex anywhere. I think Maureen Dowd must have more sex than the Bennett girls ever did, even if it is with her hand.

hoot, jesse. Just sayin’ what needs to be saying. Now, back to Obama?

anyone, getting off on him of late? .....I like Michelle.  In Purple esp. (any Hillarity supporters disagree?_)

But Mo does get it, Clinton was a lying two face, GW is a cretinous blowhard, and Obama?

MoDo deserves respect. Kali reincarnated!!!

Bill Kristol? Who reads that tripe? Not in the same league, Jesse. I just need to reread David Mamet’s “braindead liberal” speech over and over to know who’s the enemy. Off to another day of listening to NPR promote the Palestinians (not!).

Now that I know Kali has a shrine on the intertubes I’ll drop by to worship: http://dowdreport.blogspot.com/2008/08/price-of-pride.html

wow!

but antifeminist? I don’t think so. Radical lesbianism does not equal feminism. Plenty of lesbians disdain Dowd I am sure. That’s ok. Plenty of them will be voting for McCain I know too.

indy, Gail Collins? eh, I guess jesse likes that wattle-spewing numbscull better? Face it, Maureen Dowd’s a piece of work in a nice way.

how did Abba get in this mix?

“how did Abba get in this mix?”

The musical MAMA MIA is based on the songs of ABBA. Stupid concept, right? One would totally think so. But apparently older people want to feel justified in going to rock concerts these days, so someone created the genre of the jukebox musical, where you can hear the favorite songs of your favorite oldies/classic rock artist. MOVIN’ OUT was based on Billy Joel, and MAMA MIA is based on ABBA.

I can’t wait for MADONNA, the musical.

are you an ageist, foucault? that’s ok. My twittering 15 yo son is one too. He’s awesome. But Abba was damned good for a pretty despicable era of music. Now, Madonna? “gag me with a spoon”. and tell me some dead baby jokes while you’re at it. This whole broadway thing is one long redundant, self referential pop culturist September Song for the baby boomers. Almost makes me want to see another Tarantino or Mamet flic. Sad, though they may be.

but really’ve got to go to work. Great site! After fighting with Jeff Goldstein and minions for months (for a laugh~!~), it’s nice to see a little levity on the center/left for a change.

“blaspheme” is a nice touch. (btw, most of my lesbian and gay friends here in Vermont, the GreenMtn state, are voting for Obama no matter what…don’t get me wrong.)

No, I’m not really an ageist. I married an old geezer, so go figure. I am just a little tired of everything being targeted either at the Boomers, or at fourteen year old boys with their underwear hanging out of their pants.

We are pretty mellow here at Pandagon, for the most part… and much of the time. But not al3ways!