Mr. Collins on Film

The 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice has been excellent so far. I loved seeing the characters come alive on screen and portraying the scenes of the novel in a very agreeable light. One of my favorite characters to see, I have to say, was Mr. Collins.
     Probably the best way to describe Mr. Collins is the face he makes right after Mrs. Bennet tells him Jane may be spoken for. In the BBC version, this face shows his disgust and dismay. He had told himself he would marry one of the daughters, and now the prettiest one has been snatched away. But, in proper Collins fashion, he deigns to look at the younger Bennet girls. The camera then takes on his POV and scans from the youngest to Mary to Elizabeth laughing with Jane, and this is his next very telling facial expression:


Well, coming as this did after a camera angle that makes us feel a little more in-sync with his great mind and aided by the sweet music of violins in the background, it is obvious to see, even more so than the book's slight comment on Mr. Collins being able to easily switch his affection between the girls, that he really does not care too much who he marries. He has switched to Elizabeth just because she was what his sweeping gaze ended on, not because he particularly admires her for any specific reason.
Look at that face in the picture above--it isn't enraptured or in awe. His eyes are very alert and his brows are drawn together in concentration as he stares at her. Maybe he is trying to find something special about her and is searching her face and manner for any little aspect he could love. Or, as I believe is more probable, his brain is probably hard at work trying to call to mind everything Lady Catherine has ever said to him that may deter him from his present target. But perhaps a mix of both would explain why he covers his mouth with his hand; he cannot tell Mrs. Bennet anything special or even particularly nice about Elizabeth, and nor would he be able to if he could. He must first decide if there could be anything amiss in her manner possible of disgracing Lady Catherine before he can even decide if he is allowed to love Lizzy. After all, if her ladyship hadn't suggested he take a bride, he probably would not be looking for one.
Therefore, this face truly shows Collins' true character: he is certainly Lady Catherine's man and can show no true admiration for anything else. Instead, he can only exert his mind and think about her opinions in these instances where a man not like Mr. Collins would perhaps try to use his heart.

Discussion Questions:

How aptly do the expressions and manners of the other characters reflect their characters in the book?
Did anyone else just have to laugh at Collins or Mrs. Bennet through these showings?