The Song of Lunch: Sunday, November 13

Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson

Our favorite Colonel Brandon and Elinor Dashwood will be reunited in The Song of Lunch. Here is the synopsis on PBS:

When a middling copy editor/failed poet meets his former lover for lunch 15 years after their affair, he finds that everything — and nothing — has changed. From the tablecloths to the wine to his former lover, wealth and success now gloss the surface where kitsch and passion once held sway. He is bitter, petulant and increasingly inebriated; she is glamorous, generous, and eventually provoked. A dramatization of Christopher Reid's acclaimed narrative poem, The Song of Lunch stars Alan Rickman (Harry Potter films) and Emma Thompson (Sense and Sensibility, film version) in the unnamed roles of He and She. Waiter, I'll take the nostalgia special with a side of recrimination and finish with regret, for a lunch that celebrates love and ambition with poignancy, humor, and affection.

Collin Firth VS. Alan Rickman?

Who will be the Anglo Fan Favorite for 2011? Click on this BBC site to vote!!

"In one corner, we have Alan Rickman. As Die Hard‘s roguish Hans Gruber, he claimed ownership of the Accent of Evil, a prize he’s held for a quarter-century. He menaced a whole new generation as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter movies. But who knew the 65-year-old star commanded such a fervent fan following? If you didn’t know, consider yourself educated. The Rickmaniacs are not to be played with.

On the other side, you have Colin Firth, representing a far “nobler” breed of Britishmen. In 1995′s Pride & Prejudice, his quiet suffering and sopping wet underclothes got viewers hot and bothered, but his Oscar-approved performance as King George VI in 2010′s The King’s Speech signaled his arrival as the Fine British Actor of our time. For much of this week, his defeat at the hands of Doctor Who‘s David Tennant seemed assured, but a late surge lifted him into this week’s finals. Can Colin go Firth into the winner’s circle?"

Jane Austen Sartorial Throwdown

Ah, the men in Jane Austen's novels. They are so divine, even the rascals. Film adaptations sometimes show them to the best advantage and sometimes not. Let's take a look at Colonel Brandon from Sense and Sensibility. Whose portrayal of the handsome colonel was more sartorially resplendent? Alan Rickman in the 1996 film or David Morrissey in 2008?

Alan Rickman

David Morrissey

Jane Austen Movie Throwdown

There's something about men in uniform that warms the cockles of my heart. While Jane Austen did not write about the battles raging in Europe, she did include regimental men and sailors in her novels. This week we ask you to consider the uniforms worn by two of her heroes and choose:

The hero in uniform I like best (Part 1)

Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility, 1995

Ciaran Hinds as Captain Wentworth, Persuasion 1996

Please note: Next week you will be asked to choose for your favorite Mr. Wickham in uniform.

pollcode.com free polls

The hero in uniform I like best (Part 1):

Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon Ciaran Hinds as Captain Wentworth

Jane Austen Movie Throwdown

Colonel Brandon is the true romantic hero in Sense and Sensibility. Oh, Willoughby is dashing enough but too self-serving, and as a leading man, Edmund Ferrars is merely nice and not particularly forceful. In contrast, the Dashwood women can always rely on Colonel Brandon to escort them or help them out despite Marianne's aversion to him as a suitor. In this week's throwdown we ask: which actor's portrayal of Colonel Brandon do you prefer? Alan Rickman's or David Morrisey's?

Which actor's portrayal of Colonel Brandon do you prefer?

Alan Rickman, Sense and Sensibility 1995

Alan Rickman was convincing as the noble, brave, kind Colonel Brandon, who deeply loves Marianne, but doesn't stand in Marianne's and Wiloughby's way. He steps up to the plate when Marianne and Elinor need his help. His facial expressions and delivery of his lines proves that Rickman is a talented, gifted actor, who plays both heroes and villains equally well - Home Videos

David Morrisey, Sense and Sensibility 2007

David Morrissey observed about Colonel Brandon, "Just as he’s starting to form an idea of himself with Marianne, he’s gazumped, really thwarted by his rival, and has to take a back step. He then tries to be honourable, even though his rival is somebody he knows is not right for this girl."

When approached to play the Colonel, David quickly signed on, having been a massive fan of Andrew Davies for a while.

pollcode.com free polls

Which actor's portrayal of Colonel Brandon do you prefer?

Alan Rickman David Morrisey