Pride & Prejudice
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Movie Reviews of Pride & Prejudice
Movie Review: Lovely!
Summary: 5 Stars
I rarely enjoy a movie as much as I did this one. It is wonderful on so many levels. It is a simply lovely movie about a great love story.
I have found some of the reviews posted for this movie very interesting, especially those that complain about this adaptation not being true enough to the book. I am also fascinated by the comparisons to Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy. What gives?
I am, perhaps, an experienced enough movie-goer that I didn't expect to see the book visually transferred to the screen. If I want to relive the story Jane Austen wrote, verbatim, I will read the book again.
And, as much as I admire Colin Firth, I am so impressed with Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy. His portrayal in this version is subtle and beautiful. Mr. Darcy seems more real than in any previous version thanks to the sensitivity and sensibilities in the portrayal. Matthew Macfadyen is a brilliant, talented actor and I very much look forward to seeing him on the screen again in the very near future.
This movie is visually stunning and well-crafted. I saw it at the theatre only once and, at first viewing, was immediately taken with the choreography of the scenes. The weaving around the ball rooms and the long camera shots are amazing. It was obvious that Joe Wright had paid a great deal of attention to each scene to get it visually right. A great movie can elicit deep emotion visually and set a mood that compliments what is happening on screen between the characters. This movie certainly accomplishes this. Joe Wright appears to have a great career as a film director ahead of him based on this work.
I admire the portrayal of the Bennet family in this film. I like that Joe Wright wanted to show them as a "real family" and feel it helped make the film. Brenda Blethyn as Mrs. Bennet is not nearly as annoying as the BBC version, which I greatly appreciated. She made Mrs. Bennet likable and understandable. Donald Sutherland, especially in the last scene, is wonderful. And, Keira Knightley's performance is lovely. I was very impressed and believe she deserves the all of praise she has received. She captured the essence of Elizabeth Bennet and portrayed her in a real, believable way.
The music is wonderful. The locations are breathtaking.
The love story between Elizabeth and Darcy is timeless and this movie lacks nothing in telling their story, even with the time constraints and missing characters and dialogue from the book.
If you ask me if we needed this version of their love story, I will gladly say yes.
Movie Review: Best Movie Of The Year !
Summary: 5 Stars
I still consider the 1995 miniseries to be THE definitive version of Pride & Prejudice.Still, this new version does have things about it I prefer to any other version. Donald Sutherland in this version I find to be the best Mr. Bennet of all versions.
No matter what version you watch, you hear Mrs. Bennet repeatedly comment on how much prettier Jane is than Lizzy. In the '95 version Lizzy is 10 times prettier than Jane and therefore Mrs. Bennet's comments just make you scratch your head and say "what!?". The Jane in the new version is such a beauty that you can accept these comments even though you may not agree with them. The Jane in this version is also more fitting in age. The Jane in the '95 version seems to old for the part, even though Susannah Harker acted the part with perfection.
I like the new Wickham a bit better too since in the new one he is much more handsome. Someone could indeed picture Lizzy choosing him over Darcy for looks alone and therefore could indeed be considered a threat. The Wickham in the '95 version isn't nearly as good-looking as Mr. Darcy and therefore less of a threat.
As far as Mr. Bingley goes, I loved both the new and old '95 versions of him. Unlike most people I like the new Mr. Bingley better. He is more shy and timid in the new version and this to me makes him more endearing
As far as comparing the 2 Lizzies, I think that Keira Knightley is every bit as a talented actress as Jennifer Ehle is in the '95 version. With that said every now and then an actor or actress comes along who was born to play a part. As much as Keanu Reeves isn't the best actor out there , he was born to play the part of Neo in The Matrix. Nobody could have done it better. I feel the same way about Jennifer Ehle in the mini series. While Miss Knightley is just as talented and did a great job in the remake, Jennifer Ehle was simply born for this part and truly embodies Lizzy. I don't think anyone could have done a better job than her.
The same goes for Colin Firth as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. While Matthew Macfadyen did a WONDERFUL job in the remake, Colin Firth was simply born the part. He IS Darcy.
All-in-all as a whole there is no version that can compare to the '95 mini series, which is truly a masterpiece. Still, the new version is well worth buying and offers a refreshing take on this story. I would even go as far as saying that the new version is my favorite movie of the year !
I rate the '95 version 10 stars out of 10 , and this new version 9 stars out of 10. Buy them both!
Movie Review: A gorgeous adaptation
Summary: 5 Stars
I was certain it was impossible to improve upon the BBC's stellar interpretation of P&P. I was sure that no one could improve upon Jennifer Ehle and I was certain that Colin Firth was the penultimate Darcy. This movie proved me wrong.
Firstly, I want to address Keira Knightley's interpretation of my all-time favorite literary heroine. She had the spark and fire and quick wit that is so characteristic of Elizabeth. I thought her performance was pitch perfect and I give her the edge of Ehle. While I do really like Ehle's rather more sedate Elizabeth, I really liked Knightley's more impetuous version. Her outbursts sprang from her with such passion and impatience that I felt she had really nailed the character.
As for Darcy, I love Firth's arrogant but socially awkward portrayal. Because of this, I was glad to see Matthew Macfadyen play Darcy as something of a nerd. It was an interpretation of Darcy that I'd never pictured but I think it worked splendidly. Rather than being overtly haughty as Firth's Darcy was, Macfadyen's Darcy was painfully socially awkward and who came across as arrogant because of it. His Darcy was intensely private and unwilling to give up his family secrets and yet all the more pained for how he knew it made him seem to Elizabeth.
The rest of the cast is stellar as well, though I won't go into great depth or I'll risk running on for pages. I particularly liked Elizabeth's warm relationship with her father and the way his eyes teared over when he wished Elizabeth happiness in her betrothal. I also liked the way Mrs. Bennett was made more complex and her motivations made more clear. After all, what did a woman of that social standing have to do other than ensure her daughters made prosperous marriages? Mrs. Bennett seems so silly until one considers just how stressful it must have been to have to worry about the welfare of so many girls and to be constantly conscious of how quickly they'd sink into poverty and oblivion if their father--the sole breadwinner--were to become ill or die.
The film itself is wonderfully layered and I find that with each viewing I see subtle things I had not before noticed. It certainly bears repeat viewings not just for the wonderful story, gorgeous scenery, and stellar acting but also for the subtle background touches that become apparent once one focuses on them rather than the action occurring in the foreground. This version is rife with small gestures and looks that speak volumes about what is occurring in the story. Simply put, I adore this film.
Movie Review: Great Acting Classic Story
Summary: 5 Stars
The acting in this version is wonderful and spot on. To begin Jane and Mr Bingley are a perfect fit for their characters and each other. Both actors show a goodness and quietness in their manners so that one has trouble imagining them together and the issues that this couple faces along the way. The biggest issue no doubt is sharing their heartfelt emotions and love for each other.
Elizabeth and Mr Darcy are also a perfect match. Elizabeth is just the right amount of independence and vulnerability that her character comes alive. Elizabeth shows that she is sensitive to others opinions, as when Darcy comments on her appearance and behavior at village dance, after his cutting comments she seeks out her best friend to help confirm her beliefs that he is wrong and has a great prejudice. She assumes and exhibits an attitude that she has everything figured out and as a result judges things much to quickly - including Darcy. The development of the character throughout the movie is played so expertly! You really do see her character grow and her opinions rendered incorrect - she too has prejudices.
To me this is the best acting of Mr Darcy's character that I have seen. I found it easy to see the shyness in Darcy hiding behind his pride. To me I found this portrayal so right on with what I imagined in from the book. He is quiet and aloof, yet you find yourself drawn to him, much like Elizabeth does as she gets to know him. Darcy does not seem as harshly played in this production as he is in others. It is not as hard to imagine Elizabeth falling for him as in other films. In other productions his change from "bad" guy to "good" guy seems too fast, here the character has time to grow and we see glimpses of his true self - small in the beginning and then revealed more throughout the film.
The scenery of the English Countryside from the village to the residences is beautiful - with incredible scenic shots that will make you want to pick up and move directly to the English countryside.
The costumes are simple for the country ladies - One of the greatest examples is the scene in which Elizabeth comes to check on her ailing sister Jane, at the Bingley residence. Elizabeth appears as if she has had a terrible journey to arrive there. Standing in front of the proper ladies and Darcy she is a sight to behold - and so believable.
This is definitely worth purchasing and if you love Jane Austen's works or simply a good period piece you will no doubt return to this film again and again.
In a word beautiful.
Movie Review: It starts with a diss, and ends with a kiss
Summary: 5 Stars
Certainly this is one of the two most intriguing versions of this movie I have seen.
If Jane Austen herself were alive today, I suspect whe would love this version.
In the Laurence Olivier version, I thought his Darcy came across as somewhat affected and foppish. I have not seen the Colin Firth version yet, however I did see his depiction of Darcy in the modern Bridget Jones Diary movies, and he did seem off in his attitude towards Renee Zelwegger's character. He seemed too snooty, and as if he genuinely disliked her at times for no reason.
My other favorite version is the Bollywood version, Bride and Prejudice, a must see totally enjoyable version with the beautiful Aishwarya Rai, and replete with Bollywood conventions including musical numbers.
The Keira Knightley version I have seen several times, and even made copious notes about it, because whether you know it or not, many love stories follow the template of this story, and it has become an enduring classic for good reason.
The dialogue is simply beautiful, the scenes excellently executed, the lead actor Matthew MacFadyen interplays brilliantly with Keira, offering excellently nuanced scenes. Finally, a lead actor who truly does justice to the role.
Like many love stories it starts out on the wrong foot, when Darcy disses her to a friend. He does not know she has overheard. She responds with some later banter putting him in his place, and like the flick of a switch he becomes intrigued with her. Yet as you get deeper into the story, misunderstandings arise, new perceptions, a whole welter of emotions.
I especially loved the scene where he proposes the first time and totally screws it up. She is hurt and angry, and turns on him, and yet beneath that anger stirs a passion. Beautifully done.
Mr. Darcy: ...Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your circumstances?
Elizabeth Bennet: And those are the words of a gentleman. From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry. [they look at each other for a long time as though about to kiss]
I also enjoyed the performance of Collins played by Tom Hollander, the repressed smutty preacher whose small estate adjoins her ladyship's rather large abutment. Love it, the language that is, not the..
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.