Pride & Prejudice
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Movie Reviews of Pride & Prejudice
Movie Review: A Beautiful Pride and Prejudice...
Summary: 5 Stars
2005's "Pride and Prejudice" is a skillful adaptation of Jane Austen's classic romance novel to the big screen. Only a bold production team would have taken on the task, given the continuing and justified popularity of the 1996 BBC television version starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. Taken on its own merits as a theatrical release, the 2005 version is visually stunning, includes wonderful location shooting and period detail, and offers two attractive leading actors with genuine on-screen chemistry.
The storyline is familiar to Jane Austen fans. The middle-class Bennet family, including its five eligible daughters and a scheming mother anxious to marry them off, learns that the wealthy Mr. Bingley will visit their small English village. They meet Mr. Bingley at a village dance, where he is attracted to the beautiful and kind but reserved Jane Bennet. Jane's spirited and headstrong sister Elizabeth is less impressed with Mr. Bingley's seemingly haughty friend Mr. Darcy. Her disdain for his manners and his prejudice against Jane and against a militia officer whom she favors, will cause Elizabeth to angrily reject his surprise offer of marriage. However, Elizabeth learns she may have been wrong about Mr. Darcy. His generous efforts on behalf of Jane and of Elizabeth's eloped youngest sister will earn him a second chance.
Keira Knightley is perfectly cast as the young and impertinent Elizabeth. Matthew MacFadyen is very effective as the painfully shy and reserved Mr. Darcy. Donald Sutherland and Brenda Blethyn are a sympathetic Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. The interaction of the Bennet sisters, including Rosamund Pike as Jane and Jena Malone as youngest sister Lydia, is authentic and by turns touching and hilarious. Judi Dench personifies the "dragon" Lady Catherine DeBurgh.
Adapting Pride and Prejudice to a two hour movie format means seriously compressing a treasured storyline. Under Director Joe Wright's sure hand, the movie steps briskly through the plot, keeping a tight focus on Elizabeth Bennet and her developing relationship with Mr. Darcy. Among the key scenes: Elizabeth's chance encounter with Mr. Darcy at Pemberly; Mr. Bingley's proposal to Jane, reworked to bring out the humor and to make explicit Mr. Darcy's role; and Mr. Darcy's second proposal to Elizabeth. The latter features a long atmospheric tracking shot as Mr. Darcy crosses a field at dawn to meet a surprised Elizabeth. The next-to-last scene, in which Elizabeth requests permission to marry from her father, brings out the best in two very good actors.
"Pride and Prejudice" is very highly recommended to fans of Jane Austen. The Collectors Edition DVD Set includes a music score CD, production notes, some excellent background features, and Joe Wright's fascinating director's commentary.
Movie Review: A terrific adaptation of a beloved classic!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This well-paced adaptation of Jane Austen's beloved classic is a delight. Kiera Knightley (Bend it Like Beckham, Pirates of the Carribean) rightfully earned Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe and other major award nods for best actress in her portrayal of Miss Elizabeth Bennett, a girl who becomes a woman as she and her at-odds romantic interest, Mr. Darcy, overcome their pride and prejudices against each other in the backdrop of 1797 England.
Joe Wright, emerging star in the world of film, conveys all the lively spirit, comedy, and romance, of the book, in this carefully crafted cinematic masterpiece. Music lovers will find special appreciation in the soundtrack that includes many specially commissioned pieces that were written in the style of the period in which the film was set and which work as an integral part of the story. Use of many outstanding locations around England are employed to illuminate the story. Of particular interest to me was the actual wealthy gentleman's manor used for Longbourne, the Bennett home. Unlike previous adaptations which portrayed the Bennetts inacurately as having great wealth, this version more closely matched the book in that the location did portray a gentleman's home, but not a notably wealthy gentleman. Details are so carefully adhered to that subsequent viewings are necessary to take in all the interesting items in the background of many scenes. However, because the director was working with such an excellent script and cast, the story is easy to follow even for people who may have never read the book.
Casting in this film draws from the elite of British Theater with the result being strong fresh portrayals of the characters. I had not even heard of Matthew Macfadyen prior to seeing this film but was immediately struck with how articulate he was in conveying the thoughts and emotions of Mr. Darcy with careful understated gestures, not simply relying on facial expression as many modern actors are prone to do. Tom Hollander turns in his best performance to date as Mr. Collins. Dame Judy Dench is wonderful as the despicable Lady Catherine.
Having enjoyed Austens works for years and several earlier adaptations of this book I was hopeful that this one would not disappoint. It didn't!!! My 1995 adaptation now sits in a corner gathering dust. My boyfriend who NEVER liked the 1995 adaptation (far too slow...5 hours and felt like 9), actually enjoyed this adaptation very much and said it is a film he would enjoy seeing again.
Watching this film I think you will quickly see why it received so much critical and audience acclaim, why it was nominated and earned so many awards, and why so many people have been pleased to add it to their DVD collections as a film they can look forward to viewing again and again.
Movie Review: Devious encounter of soulmates
Summary: 5 Stars
The English literature gives us a new adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew McFadyen.
In the 18th century, the importance to achieve a good marriage was a fundamental pillar for the English society. For women, in particular, it was more than understandable that to live under that kind of pressure and social restrictions was a frustration, especially for the impetuous Elizabeth Bennet.
Second among five sisters, Lizzie could be considered the rebel of the family, the Jo March of England, without a neurotic desire to be married for money or to be exposed to the agonizing rituals of traditional courting that was characteristic in that era.
But when her matchmaker mother is aware that exists a remote but weak possibility to marry her older daughter Jane (Rosamund Pike) with a quite eligible bachelor (Simon Woods), Elizabeth trips accidentally with her match, the very observer, quiet, shy and taciturn Mr. Darcy (McFadyen).
Darcy obviously sees Mrs. Bennet's intentions and driven by a sincere desire of protection keeps his friend from comitting to the lovely and shy Jane, while he and Elizabeth begin a turbulent relation of attraction and rejection, marked for his prejudice and her pride.
One of the sharpest observations of Austen's novels is that the rich were used to judge the less prosperous for trying to assure a advantageous marriage, without realizing that they did exactly the same thing. Nowadays, this history of social acceptance, values, misundertandings and prejudices is as valid as it was in past times.
The film had the joyous luck of counting with a terrific cast: from the childish sisters of Elizabeth, her shameless mother (a glorious Brenda Blethyn), the prepotent Lady Catherine (a magnificent Judi Dench) and Donald Sutherland as the absent minded and easy-going patriarch Bennet . Clearly, the stars of the history -Knightley and McFadyen- shine above this group. As Lizzie, Knightley is a bubbly mixture of passion, intelligence, defiance and vulnerability. Mr. Darcy, in turn, finds in McFadyen the perfect mixture of modesty, enigm, volatility, tenderness and dettachment, but simply with one look is capable of lettiing us see that his attitude is only a mask.
Who is more proud or prejudiced? It's difficult to decide, since Lizzie and Darcy are so alike, and this is why the romance of these two is so provocative. Is clear that Elizabeth and Darcy are made for each other, and even thought neither of them will recognize it at first, theirs' is a soulmates encounter, and their relation is based on mutual respect, admiration, attraction and above all, a clear vision that love is a lot more than what some pretty words can express.
Movie Review: Ok...so I liked it!
Summary: 5 Stars
In reading other reviews of this movie, I felt I just had to be one to say something nice about it! Just like every other movie, this one had strengths and weakness, here is my take on it:
Strengths-
This movie looked amazing, it was truely beautiful to look at! The cinematography was beautiful and more artistic than a lot of flims that have come out. The colors were very rich, and the lighting was...perfect. Location shots were wide and encompassing; when Elizabeth first saw Mr. Darcy's home, you can "feel" and see how large and impressive it is. Another seen that stands out, was when Elizabeth was being shown around Mr. Darcy's home and is shown into a room full of light, and sculptures. The feeling of coolness in the room, being full of diffused light, and pale white marble figures, was lovely!
I also enjoyed a more "down to earth feel" to the family, and their looks. They may have had a richer station in the book, but the fact that the family was not swimming in silks, furniture and little lap dogs, hardly detracts from the film. Not to mention the sisters acted, well...like girls! We are not all perfectly behaved all the time, nor are we little angels.
Also, the ages for Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in the actors, were closer to the book. And I think their youth and inexperience with love/relationships, was a nice refreshing way to act their parts.
Finely, I loved the big ballroom, dance! The music, wall to wall people and activity was very realistic. I felt like I was there in the room, listening to the girls talking, dancing and laughing. In our modern age of elictric lights, CD players and deodorant I think we sometimes forget what a candle light party, with a bunch of sweaty people in it would look like.
Weaknesses-
Yes, the story is kind of choppy. If you haven't either read the book, or seen the four hour A&E version you might be lost. Although strangely enough, I went to see this with four other women...all fairly "girly girls", and they all felt the story went "too slow" and was almost "too long for a movie".
Another thing I have to agree with, is that the different relationships could have been given more time, or better development. But still, at the end of the movie you don't leave wondering what happend to anyone, or wondering why someone was left out. You know what happens!
Conclusion-
In the end I really liked this movie. The twist's and a different artistic take on a good story, is always a pleasant thing. Maybe it wasn't historiclly perfect, or exact to the book...but if that is what you really want; Stick to the book.
Movie Review: The original great love story
Summary: 5 Stars
Joe Wright did a stunning job with this magnificent version of Pride & Prejudice. Keira Knightley shines as Elizabeth Bennet, and the supporting cast, including Donald Sutherland as the kind, softspoken Mr. Bennet, Jena Malone as the silly Lydia, and stunning Rosamund Pike as Jane, is delightful as well; but it is the gorgeous Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy who truly captures. There's not a slow moment in this film; it is steady, enchanting, and worth a thousand views.
The enchanting melodies used for this film's score did much to enhance the tone of the film; the piano solo Dawn is exceptionally haunting, as is Liz On Top of the World. It's inspiring me to sit myself down on a piano again, although I'm sure I would ruin the music rather than do justice to it.
Filmed almost entirely on location, the only set built for the production was the ballroom in which Darcy and Lizzie first meet. The use of Chatsworth House, Wilton House, and Basildon Park, as well as other grand, stately homes, provided a beautiful setting for this extraordinary adaptation.
SPOILER/ENDING ALERT: Here's an interesting bit: my favorite part of the movie - the ending - features Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy outside, enjoying a moment together under starlight, sharing one of my favorite film conversations:
Darcy: "And what am I to call you when I am cross? Mrs. Darcy?"
Elizabeth: "No, you may only call me 'Mrs. Darcy' when you are completely, perfectly and incandescently happy."
Darcy: "And how are you this evening... Mrs. Darcy? Mrs. Darcy... Mrs. Darcy... Mrs. Darcy."
This ending, not in the novel, is apparently also not included in the UK and international versions of the film, having not gone over well with British audiences. As a North American audience member, I'm particularly glad this ended up in the release on this side of the globe - it is truly one of the most tender endings I've had the pleasure of watching. (It's also two more minutes of Matthew Macfadyen, which is so not a terrible thing.)
For any woman who loves the Jane Austen classic, I'm sure she feels she owns Elizabeth Bennet, or sees herself in Elizabeth in one way or another, so obviously casting the role well was of great importance. Lizzie is strong, insightful, capable and witty - the model heroine - and Kiera Knightley was arguably the best choice for this role. There was effortless chemistry between her and each of the actors with whom she shared the screen.
It's rare a book translates to film as exquisitely as this.