Pride & Prejudice
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Movie Reviews of Pride & Prejudice
Movie Review: A cinematic tour-de-force!
Summary: 5 Stars
Being a huge fan of period dramas, literary adaptations and Keira Knightley, I was delighted by the latest adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. It is everything a movie should be, and then some. Great storytelling, an amazing soundtrack, an innovative director and a splendid soundtrack, it is definitely a movie you should own.
It tells a classic story of Elizabeth Bennet, a smart, boyish heroine who meets the handsome Mr. Darcy, and judging solely on first impressions, believes he is "the last man on Earth she could ever possibly be prevailed upon to marry". Of course, it wouldn't be a Jane Austen adaptation if it wasn't for numerous plot twists, complicated character connections and humorous plays on words.
Keira Knightley is perfect as Elizabeth, the role which not only propelled her to stardom, but also earned her an Oscar nomination in 2005. She is everything a classic heroine should be - sensual, expressive and beautiful, maybe even a little more than she should have been. On the other hand, there is Matthew Macfadyen, who makes a great, darker Mr. Darcy. Also in the all-star cast are veterans Donald Sutherland and Dame Judy Dench.
Director Joe Wright did an incredible job. Not only did he play with the source in a very respectful, yet creative way, he used many tricks to make us care for these characters and believe their plights are just as well possible today. He also uses the stunning British countryside a number of times, and it is one of the film's best props - it is able to, accompanied by a great soundtrack, reflect the characters' emotions and send chills up and down one's spine.
"Pride & Prejudice" is definitely one of the best romantic movies and literary adaptations of the century, and one you should have on your shelf for sure.
Movie Review: Everybody just calm down!
Summary: 5 Stars
Ok, so here's the deal. This movie is not completely true to the book. If you are looking for that, I do suggest A&E's version. However, this movie I don't think could have been totally faithful without also being 5 hours long, which is impossible for a theatrical release. Also, many people have issues with the costumes, because they are not the traditional Regency clothes...but, this movie was set in the time that Jane Austen actually wrote Pride and Prejudice...not the years later when it was finally published, and certain characters are in fact in the true regency clothing such as Caroline Bingley to show how "en vogue" she is. And yes, Elizabeth Bennet wears no bonnet and Aunt Catherine visits in the dead of night and not in the garden...but come on! The same essential story is being told. And of course the book is better, I should hope so. If you want a bad version of Pride and Prejudice than look no further than the celebrated 1940 version starring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier. Not only do they change events from the book for no other reason than to make it more "Hollywood" (not, in fact, to consolidate a lengthy tale into a reasonable viewing time) but they also seem to change the time period to about 70 years later...to the late 1800's so that they could re-use Gone With the Wind costumes. I am obsessed with Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and have read all of her books repeatedly and I still love this movie, although I admit there are some things that they changed that were not just simply for time sake...such as Mrs. Bennet being made to be a much more tolerable character in the movie and also the esteem of her husband, which in the book is not so favorable...but other than that I think it is one of the best remakes made for theatrical release. Oh, and Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) is brilliant in this role.Movie Review: A Surprising Delight
Summary: 5 Stars
It's so rare to find a satisfying romance at the movies that I nearly dissolved into raptures of delight to discover not one but two of them this weekend! On Friday I had the distinct pleasure of going to see the new theatrical version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE with Keira Knightly and Matthew MacFadyen. To be honest, I was prepared to be disappointed. I had seen the rather murky looking trailer that made even the gorgeous Keira Knightly look washed-out and blotchy. Plus as we all know, every version of P & P must now be compared to that platinum standard of the 1995 BBC mini-series with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.
But I found the new movie to be thoroughly delightful and exhilarating! At just a little over 2 hours long, it couldn't cover quite as much ground as the mini-series (Wickham and the two younger sisters had very minor roles), but it beautifully captured the romance and robust good humor of Austen's story. I was caught off guard by several laugh-out-loud moments.
Keira Knightly embodied Elizabeth Bennet's intelligence and wit. (Her portrayal also reminded me a little of Jo March in LITTLE WOMEN.) One glimpse of her smile and you knew why Darcy's heart was captivated. MacFadyen as Mr. Darcy won me over in the moment when I realized his voice had the exact same timbre as Alan Rickman's. The murkier cinematography actually ended up making the movie seem more vital and historically accurate. The gritty images of daily life are contrasted with breathtaking shots of the English countryside, including one of Mr. Darcy striding out of the mist that almost rivals Colin Firth's rising up out of Pemberly's pond on the female gasp of appreciation scale. (Yes, this is an actual scientific device. I have one in my office.)
(Originally published on the website of author Teresa Medeiros[...])
Movie Review: It's a movie, not a mini-series
Summary: 5 Stars
As many people here have said, Jane Austen's wonderful book is one of my favorites. I haven't seen the Colin Firth mini-series, but I have seen and loved the great BBC version. One problem here is that people are comparing the two five hour (approximately) mini-series with the two hour movie. Necessarily things are going to be left out of the movie. Naturally the character development has to be shortened. No one is going to sit in a movie theater for five hours. I think the story came across intact considering the time alotted.
The way I see it P&P 2005 is a modern version complete with modern cinematography, modern actors and a beautiful, lush soundtrack. I thought the actors did a fine job, especially the very expressive Darcy. I agree that the Bingley character was a little goofy, but I thought that made him endearing. Elizabeth was smart and independent and I enjoyed the rowdiness of her family. I realize that these same traits bothered other people, but they give this version it's own style. Those who want to know more about Austen's satirical look at society can pick up the book.
I think the most important review on these pages was the one from a woman with no prior interest in Austen, who happened to catch the movie on a plane flight. She was delighted and went home and bought the book, read it and saw both of the mini-series. A fan is born and that, to me, is the important thing here. If this movie brings more people into the Jane Austen fold, more power to it. On the other hand, if people see it and that's the only exposure to Jane Austen they get, I'm sure they will get along just fine.
I must add that I resent people saying it was dumbed down for American tastes. Isn't it possible to write a review without insulting a whole nation?
Movie Review: Pride OR Prejudice?
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading Jane Austen's novel, I have had many arguments with myself over the judgements placed upon Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. I have decided that in thinking of a title for her book, Austen was not assigning one characteristic to each character but instead she was assigning two equal qualities to both of the main characters. I used to think that Mr. Darcy, with his wealth and prominent upbringing, was too PROUD to be in the presence of commoners like the Bennets. Elizabeth on the other hand, after first witnessing Darcy's poor attitude and pride, made that her first and last impression of him. Ever since that moment, Lizzy became PREJUDICED toward Mr. Darcy and others like him. These qualities can also be switched; Darcy shows prejudice against people of lower rank or standing in society when he comments on Elizabeth's appearance or when later he addresses the entire Bennet family and their inappropriate behavior in public. Elizabeth could be considered proud in that she stands up for her family, her friends, and her way of life.
After being able to support both characters under either quality, I still wonder whether or not these qualities are upheld at the end of the story. Interestingly enough, the characters didn't necessarily show prejudice against eachother, but against eachother's company and also against their own. Their union seems an obvious way to allow them both to continue to be negative toward eachother's relations and their own in the privacy of their shared home. I also believe that they both continue to be proud individuals because with confidence and self esteem comes pride in one's self. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet sis not change at all throughout the story, they simply found in eachother the perfect match, both proud and prejudiced to the core.