Director:
Joe Wright

Cast:
Keira Knightley
Matthew MacFadyen
Donald Sutherland
Brenda Blethyn

Official URL:

http://www.prideandprejudicemovie.net

Country: USA
Rating: PG
Studio Name: Focus Features
Running Time: 2 hr 0 mins
Release Date: November 23, 2005

Critics's Rating:
(3 Reels) 

November 23, 2005

By Veronica Mixon

The wonderful world of Jane Austin is recreated for the big screen once again in PRIDE & PREJUDICE starring the vivacious Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl) as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew MacFadyen (Anthony Trollope Collection) as Mr. Darcy. Director Joe Wright does an extraordinary job of presenting quite faithfully this world of privilege and social climbing.

The Bennets are a family of five unmarried daughters – Elizabeth, Jane, Lydia, Mary and Kitty – so when an eligible wealthy bachelor, Mr. Bingley (Simon Woods) moves into a nearby mansion, Mrs. Bennet (Brenda Blethyn, Loving and Amazing) begs her devoted husband, Mr. Bennet (Donald Sutherland, The Italian Job) to make the proper introductions. He does to the delight of all and the girls meet Bingley, his snooty sister and Mr. Darcy (MacFadyen) at a ball given a few nights later. Darcy notices Elizabeth right away but he tries to ignore his feelings. Bingley zeroes in on Jane, the prettiest of the sisters (and the prettiest girl in town!) and their sweet, quiet natures seem to fit. But, Darcy and Miss Bingley seem to offend the Bennets. Elizabeth overhears him telling his friend that she is not handsome enough to tempt him to even dance.

Despite that fact that Bingley shyly courts Jane, the Bennets are concerned with the arrival of their male cousin, Mr. Collins (Tom Hollander) who is set to inherit. When Elizabeth rejects him, he promptly marries her best friend, Charlotte (Claudie Blakley) who implores Elizabeth not to put down the match since she wants to stop being a burden to her parents. When Bingley suddenly returns to London, everyone is shocked. Elizabeth is stunned to learn the reason when she meets Darcy again and totally unprepared for his declaration of love!

PRIDE & PREJUCE is a master at misunderstands, romantic intrigue and class warfare in English society. Director Joe Wright has given the story a gritty, earthy look with breathless nature scenes and landscapes, and rustic country living. I’ve been a fan of the BBC TV version which covers the entire book, but Mr. Wright has still done Jane Austin well in this first screen version in 65 years. His cast is superb! Donald Sutherland is wonderful as the country squire who loves his silly wife. Matthew MacFadyen’s deep voice and tall strutting gives Darcy as elegant and vulnerable air. And, Keira Knightley is simply perfect as the spirited, intelligent Elizabeth. Her verbal sparring with MacFadyen and Judi Dench as Lady Catherine de Bourg is exciting and amusing. Her sparkling eyes gleam with enormous emotion.

The only flaws to this film are the short shrift given to Darcy’s romantic rival, Mr. Wickham (Rupert Friend). He barely exists in the film and he was an important character. Also, Mr. Wright goes overboard to let us know that Darcy is taken with Elizabeth at the Bingley ball by having an imaginary scene where Darcy and Elizabeth seem to dance alone in a room. It isn’t necessary but both actors deliver compelling performs that let us know that there is an attraction there. Nevertheless, I adore this film and fans of the genre will too!

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