Customer Reviews

Pride & Prejudice (Widescreen)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

What a horrible interpretation of a classic story. I loved the book, I really loved the 1995 mini-series with Colin Firth, but this story is NOT Pride and Prejudice at all. It leaves you wondering if the writers and the production crew ever read the book at all. If you're not familiar with the story at all, it might be all right as a generic period drama, but if you know anything at all about P&P it's awful. Stick with the 1995 version starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. It's the true Pride and Prejudice and was done so much better than this movie that I don't have enough words to explain it. That one got it right, this one did not.

I actually saw this movie with a friend who'd never seen or read Pride and Prejudice and she enjoyed it, but she was really confused about key parts of the story, such as Wickham's entire role, and needed me to explain afterwards because she didn't understand why things happened in the movie.

Some of the casting was good and the scenery was gorgeous, but some of the most important roles were terrible. Keira Knightley is a horrible Elizabeth... she turns a witty, intelligent young woman into a giggly, ridiculous brat. This Mr. Darcy left me feeling only lukewarm about him. He was all right, but had very tough competition in Colin Firth. Bingley is portrayed as a total idiot in this one instead of a warm-hearted yet slightly naive young man.

Worse than the butchering of some of the characters, they chopped the story up very badly and got a lot of details about the period completely wrong. For example, the Bennetts were never poor and certainly weren't a lower class family, as portrayed in this movie. They were middle class, but just had no sons to carry on their fortunes so upon Mr. Bennett's death the girls would have nothing left to their names.

Don't waste your time and money on this one. If you must see it, rent it or borrow it from the library. Not a good adaptation at all.

Like most people who love literature I was well aware that Jane Austen could write, but the idea that Keira Knightley can act and hold her own against the likes of Dame Judy Dench was a revelation. Granted, Knightley has not particularly been called upon to turn in great acting performances in most of her films. In "Love Actually" she is basically required to look pretty and her best moments are reaction shots rather than dialogue. She has many more moments such as that in "Pride & Prejudice," but she also proves herself proficient at the witty dialogue. Knightley filmed this version as her final film as a teenager and the results are comparable to when Franco Zeffirelli cast the teenage Olivia de Hussey in "Romeo & Juliet."

This becomes the most romantic version of "Pride & Prejudice" because we are not surprised along with Lizzie when Darcy shows up and makes the most backhanded proposal of marriage in the history of Western literature. The screenplay by Deborah Moggach (Emma Thompson receives special thanks in the credits, apparently for script doctoring) makes one significant change in the proceedings by simply having the moment when Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen) falls for Lizzie clearly written on his face. At the Meryton ball she finds the perfect moment to throw the callous words that she has overheard back into his and with the rapier still skewering her victim she turns on her heels and walks away in triumph.

When next he sees her she has walked over to Mr. Bingley's house to care for her sister Jane (Rosamund Pike), who has been taken ill because of the matrimonial machinations of their mother. Lizzie's hair is down and she is positively glowing. When we see the look of Darcy's face it is clear that he is beyond smitten, even though through the veneer of upper class manners the signs are decidedly subtle. From that moment on his affection becomes transparent to us, although Lizzie is surprised to learn of its existence. Joe Wright also creates a motif where the first time Darcy and Lizzie touch, as he helps her into a carriage, resonates by an emphasis at key moments throughout the film of Darcy's hands.

Elizabeth Bennett is the most delightful of the Austen heroines because she has the virtue of not backing down. Indeed, I believe Darcy first takes real notice of her because she stands up to him at the ball. When she refuses to back down from Lady Catherine De Bourgh (Judi Dench) at the dinner table it struck me that one of the reasons she is so attractive to Darcy is because she is not trying to be. Certainly Mrs. Bennett (Brenda Blythen) has taught her five daughters it is how to be on their best behavior to catch a husband, and in a world of such propriety her candor is refreshing. Darcy's curt dismissal of her looks as being tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt him, becomes ironic because for my money it is her brains that make Elizabeth Bennett a real beauty both to him and to us.

The screenplay necessitates cutting much of the action to reduce the tale to a two-hour film. I appreciated being spared the unfortunate incident of Mary at the pianoforte as well as the constructed scene for the final fadeout and my only minor complaint would be that Lady Catherine does not utter her exit line from the novel when she takes her leave of Elizabeth in their final confrontation although I fully understand that the words cannot be uttered under those circumstances and the fact that Lady Catherine shows up immediately on hearing the rumor makes up for being denied the pleasure of hearing Dame Judy declaim that line.

I had heard that the Jane Austen Society was less than pleased by Knightley's posture in this film, but one of the strengths of this production is that the Bennetts clearly live in the country. There are dirt roads that lead to their home, where a large hog wanders through the front door, and when Mr. Darcy and the Bingleys make their first appearances at the local ball the dancing has an exuberance (not to mention slapping of hands) that makes it patently clear that we are far from the hallowed halls of Pemberly or the civilized life of London. But the outside locations are as sumptuous as the gilded rooms in this film, and cinematographer Roman Osin makes both look gorgeous.

For those who consider "Sense & Sensibility" to be the current cinematic benchmark for Austen adaptations I can report that "Pride & Prejudice" is its superior in terms of both romance and comedy by virtue of both crying and laughing more at this 2005 film.. Where Ang Lee's 1995 film comes out ahead is in its depiction of sisterhood, as Jane and Lizzie cannot rival Elinor and Marianne in their bonds of affection, which is understandable since it is more central to that Austen novel. Even so there is a cute moment of confidences shared beneath the covers and Lizzie's spirited defense of her sister's shyness. However, this one really is all about Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.

I am not at all surprise that Kngihtly received a Best Actress nomination for her performance in this film. As is invariably the case with such films the cast of supporting players is superb. Brenda Blethyn's Mrs. Bennett is comically painful, but Donald Sutherland as Mr. Bennett has a touching final scene with his daughter, Tom Hollander is toadally obnoxious as Mr. Collins, and my wife really wants to slap Jenna Malone's Lydia a couple of times. The best thing I can say about this version of "Pride & Prejudice" is that I went back to the theater to see it again, and the only other movie I did that for was "Revenge of the Sith" (I was using it for class). This one was better.

Certainly this is one of the two most intriguing versions of this movie I have seen.

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]

Surprisingly, in the book it does not quite bring the scene to life like the sparkling dialogue in the movie, merely alluding to the content of the conversation.

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..

Since writing this review originally, I agree that the mini series starring Colin Firth and Jennfer Ehle is truly beautiful, and well worth watching. Being much longer, it has the advantage of being able to develop sub themes and offer much more detail.

If one has not seen the mini series already I highly recommend this as a great entree into Jane Austen's classic. Judged on its own merits it's a great movie.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and I hope this was helpful.

Like many loyalists to the BBC series of P&P, when I heard they were making a movie I couldn't help thinking, "Why?"

This movie adaptation of Jane Austen's classic was always doomed to suffer by comparison, and I had my reservations before seeing it. Having read the book, seen the old old BBC adaptation (where Mr Darcy walked around like he had a stick up his bum) and sat through many marathons with friends of the 1995 version, I didn't think there was anything more you could possibly do to improve on the latter (despite the fact I've always been a little annoyed the actors were way too old for the parts).

The opening scenes may lead a viewer to think the movie was structured around the most famous lines, with filler in-between. This notion is soon disabused, however. To fit the story into two hours of film time, it's true some finer details were left out, and some side characters are dealt with briefly - I think that, perhaps ironically considering the number of toes the movie has stepped on so far, this is a movie best enjoyed by people who have already read the book and seen the 1995 version and can fill in the gaps themselves, without having to sit through over 5 hours of it. There is no fluff in this movie, and yes, as other reviewers have noted, it focuses on Lizzy and Darcy almost at the expense of other characters. But when you are making a movie adaptation of a book, you should never fall into the trap of wanting EVERYTHING a la Harry Potter 1 and 2: you must decide what the focus will be, and what can be cut.

So, comparisons aside, what makes this movie worth 5 stars?

Perhaps it is a sad side-effect of our rush-rush society, but I loved not having to sit through all the "boring parts"; I enjoyed the fact that the movie slipped seamlessly through all the crucial plot points to deliver a tightly woven story with more sexual tension than the series did. There are lots of subtle (or not so subtle, since the camera catches them) glances and movements etc that really show how captivated Elizabeth and Darcy are with each other, when it starts and how it develops. For the pivotal proposal scene in the middle to be believable, Darcy's attraction has to be believable, which is successfully achieved here.

As to that scene, I loved it. It was very satisfying, I find I can't look away, I'm entranced, and this has a lot to do with Matthew Macfadyen, a relatively unknown actor (I've seen Maybe Baby, with Hugh Laurie and joely Richardson, but don't remember him in it) who delivers just the right amount of reserve, shyness, pride, sensitivity and sexiness to the role. (Don't get me wrong, Collin Firth will always be remembered as Mr Darcy, though he may be wishing differently by now.) Macfadyen, and the setting, that beautiful landscape with the rain coming down...

Which is my next point, and other reviewers have mentioned it too. The cinemetography is gorgeous. The period is captured well, though I wished for more effort in the costumes and hair designs like in the 1995 series. Check out the extra-long tracking shot at Bingley's ball - after Lizzy and Darcy dance, where their conversation gets intense and suddenly the room is empty except for them, emphasising how isolated they are, how caught up they are in each other, the camera follows different characters moving through the rooms, with other characters glimpsed in the background, their own issues captured in fine detail (Tom Hollander, for example, perfectly captures Mr Collins in some understated movements and mannerisms without the oiliness of David Bamber in the series), coming full circle back to Lizzy again. So many stories are told in this single shot, so much detail that there is more to see each time you watch the movie.

Another improved casting choice is Rupert Friend as Mr Wickham (played by Adrian Lukis in the BBC series) - it is much easier to understand why young girls, including Lizzy, are attracted to this Mr Wickham. Brenda Blethyn and Donald Sutherland do a fine job of the parents, with Mrs Bennett almost odious in her gossipy, blathering, snobby social-climbing way.

I think of this movie as a great companion to the book and BBC series, or an introduction to it even, for those of us whose attention-spans are a little short. The series is a great visualisation of the book with some great ad-libs (admiring Mr Darcy's wonderful grounds, anyone?), but for the pure pleasure of indulging in the sweet, aching romance between Lizzy and Darcy, this is the one to watch.

Wonderful Movie. You can watch it ten times and will love to watch many more times. Keira is superb. I cannot comprehend how she can act so well and how she did not get the Oscar for it.

I understand where some of the criticisms have arisin from, but as a film in itself it's beautiful. I have not encountered a more accurate version than the 5 hour long epic produced by the BBC, and I don't believe I ever will. That said, I don't think I wish to see another "accurate" adaptation. I love how the writers (including the gifted and uncredited Emma Thompson) took the risk of straying from Austen's words to inject a little more passion and brilliance into the film. I don't know how but the characters seem to bounce off the screen, they are so lively. I would not rate one actor's portrayal over another's but I will state that they are played differently here and it's "soo refreshing". See this film for what it is and, as hard as it may be, stop making comparisons to other adaptations or you may be disappointed.

This film is wonderful, lively, romantic, and beautifully shot and I recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance.

*Word of Caution: You may find yourself hopelessly in love with Matthew McFadyen afterwards and to that I say...join the club.

Gritty, realistic and brilliantly acted – these are just some of the ways I would describe the new version of Jane Austen’s classic 18th century tale.

Pride & Prejudice tells the story of a young woman who is stuck in the craziness of her family, culture and era. She is there to see her oldest sister get ditched by the “perfect” man. She is there when her younger sister runs away and elopes with the scoundrel of the story. She sees her mother desperately trying to marry off her 5 daughters to wealthy men. She is stuck in a world where people marry for economic and family reasons and the one thing in the world she wants is to marry for love.

When the BBC released its mini-series of Pride & Prejudice in 1995, it became the standard from which all classic British stories would have to be filmed. It was plush and beautiful and all the characters looked well-groomed and pretty all the time. That was not England in the 18th century, however.

This recent film, starring the young Keira Knightley, will be known for its realistic portrayal of country life in the 1700’s. Knightley plays the lead character, Elizabeth Bennet. She comes from a fairly well-off family in the English countryside. She is opinionated, well-read and isn’t afraid to speak her mind – in other words, everything a woman should not be in that century. Knightley plays the part brilliantly and you can see both her strength and her vulnerability at the same time. She reaped an Oscar nod for her portayal and deservedly so.

Matthew Macfadyen, as Mr. Darcy, is brooding and silent for a lot of the film. Therefore, when he actually proclaims his love for Ms. Bennet, in the rain on the British moors, he not only shocks and bewilders her, but he causes the viewer to wonder how she can resist him – stubbornness and all.

Donald Sutherland as the supportive father is wonderful, and although her part is a small, but pivotal one, Dame Judi Dench plays Lady Catherine de Bourg perfectly.

The rainy British weather, the animals in the front yard of the Bennet house, the dirt on the floors and the sisters having to share a bed – all add to the atmosphere of the movie. The clothes aren’t always clean, the balls are crowded and uncomfortable and the people aren’t always smiling and happy.

This movie is realistic and wonderful. It takes you to another place and time. A time when Jane Austen wrote some of the most beloved books about strong female protagonists and the hardships of life and love. Even if Keira Knightley doesn’t win the Oscar this year, rest assured, Ms. Austen would have been proud.

I never write reviews, but after I watched this movie, I felt compelled too. This movie, is just brilliant. Keira and Matthew are lovely as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy plus the wonderful supporting cast. I am a fan of Colin Firth and I realize for some that no one can be Mr. Darcy other than Mr. Firth, but if you give this movie a chance, you'd be pleasantly surprised. Mr. MacFadyen brings more emotional depth to his Mr. Darcy. There is a scene in particular that makes me melt every time I watch it. It's pouring down rain and Mr. Darcy has followed Elizabeth to declare his love for her. When he tells her he loves her, those piercing blue eyes, the manner underwhich his declaration is made....you feel the emotion. You won't be sorry if you watch this movie. It is excellent.

I've loved this book since I was a teenager, and I think this is the fourth or fifth movie/TV version of P&P that I have seen over the years and each has had its good and bad points. When one considers that each was "only" someone's interpretation of the book, there really isn't a comparison to be made or, at least, it isn't fair to make one. My criterion is usually how much (or how little) I enjoyed any production. Having said that, I thought that THIS (Keira Knightley, Matthew MacFadyen) version was terrific. I don't think that Jane Austen will be rolling over in her grave either!

The representation of life in the 18th century was, I thought, more accurate than (say) the BBC version, although I enjoyed that as well (if you can ignore Alison Steadman's over-the-top interpretation of Mrs. Bennet!) Brenda Blethyn did a super job as Mother Bennet as, of course, did Dame Judi Dench and Donald Sutherland in their respective roles (Lady Catherine and Mr. Bennet).

I've liked Keira Knightley since "Bend it Like Beckham" (I would adopt her in a heartbeat!!) and she only gets better with experience. I thought she did an absolutely terrific job with "Lizzie". As for Matthew MacFadyen, I have to say, he gave a more layered texture to the character of Darcy than I have seen previously. He seems to be able to "get the message across" with the most subtle gestures and changes of facial expression - truly fine. The rest of the cast also did a great job. When one considers that the young actresses who portrayed two of the younger Bennet sisters, and also Georgiana Darcy, were appearing in their debut roles, they were pretty darned good!!

My only criticism is that, because they had only just over 2 hours to tell the tale, it was missing some depth in a couple of areas. Notably, Lizzie's affectionate relationship with her father was not well defined; and the Wickham character was very one-dimensional. However, I didn't find it at all difficult to let that go because the rest of the movie was, in my opinion, a great effort on the part of all concerned. Cinematography *****, costumes *****, even Simon Wood's hair.... By the way - it is well worth running Joe Wright's commentary. He points out a number of things, some of which I missed the first time around, but which made it more enjoyable at the second viewing!! In any event - certainly NOT a waste of time!

I had to post a review once I saw this only had 3 and 1/2 stars. THIS WAS A GREAT MOVIE! I am a genuine fan of the BBC Firth version (I'm a fan of BBC classic adaptations period!) and I LOVE both versions! The BBC Firth version had 6 hours in which to work with, this one had 2. I am absolutely thrilled this great story has been shown on the big screen and has produced new Jane Austen fans! The liberties taken in this version did not take anything away from the original story at all. I have been a fan of all 3 versions and watched each several times. I think the latter two are both awesome and any P&P fan is cheating themselves in not taking a second look at this one.

Keira Knightley did a fantastic job as Elizabeth! No, she wasn't directed to be as ladylike as Jennifer Ehle, but Keira still brought a great caring, headstrong and independent Elizabeth to the screen in her own wonderful way! Matthew was a great handsome and aloof Mr. Darcy! I know for a lot of P&P fans there will only be one Mr. Darcy in that of Colin Firth, but I thought Matthew MacFayden clearly held his own and was very easy on the eye as well.

The BBC version is hot, but I found this had more of a beneath-the-surface smouldering feel to it on both sides, whereas in the BBC version you only really see it on his side for 3/4 the movie. In this version you see her change in thinking towards him much sooner in light of events. It also doesn't appear as influenced by the viewing of Pemberley as the earlier version led a person who may not have read the book to believe.

Reasons you should watch this movie:

- VERY entertaining with lots of LOL moments!
-You genuinely are transported to their day and time!
-The cast was outstanding. You can't recast each character from the Firth P&P version, so with the cast members chosen for THIS new version, I thought EACH did an outstanding job and were perfectly cast!
-Judi Dench was absolutely fantastic as Lady Catherine! If anyone could make you believe in your inferiority it is that woman!
-Love Brenda Blethyn as Mrs. Bennett - whiney but less whiney as the earlier Mrs. Bennett. I find myself muting the earlier version whenever she is on. I still feel every embarassment Jane and Lizzy feel. Some scenes Brenda could have easily over-acted but she did a great job. Loved her!
-Donald Sutherland as Mr. Bennett was W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L! The father/daughter scene was touching and warm. You really understood the alliance between them and how much he cherished his "Lizzy."
-Tom Hollander as Mr. Collins was the best choice EVER for Mr. Collins! I'm smiling just thinking about him. He annoys and endears you at the same time because you can't help but pity his efforts.

Please do not allow your prejudice for the earlier 6 hour BBC version to keep you from watching and enjoying this fantastic 2 hr. condensed one!