] ] Emma Thompson's screenplay obviously made Edward a much more attractive character than he was in the book, in part, I believe, to appeal to modern viewers who may not have read S & S.

] I think it natural to want to know why someone fell in love, and in order to do that you need to see some interaction.

I think the modern reader/viewer is the key concept here. I too want to know why characters fall in love. But I think that's because we are of this century, and we think you have to really know someone to love them.

If we are to believe JA's depiction of lovemaking in her time, then no one needed a *real* reason to fall in love. Men and women met, found each other physically attractive, danced at a ball, took a few turns about the garden, and were ready to get engaged. No one ever just *liked* someone else, they were always *in love*.