Pride and Prejudice (film)

[keilexandra]

Pride and Prejudice
Starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen
Rated PG (~2 hrs)

Eee! Such an amazing movie. I love Austen's original novel, and I thoroughly approve of this adaptation. Elizabeth Bennet is played to perfection by Knightley; Mr. Darcy is just as handsome as everyone assured me. Absolutely lovely film, this was.

I knew it would be poignant, but the most touching scenes came when I didn't expect them. Lizzie's father laughing alone in his study after agreeing to her marriage--it illustrated the concept of laughing and crying at the same time without resorting to melodrama. My favorite character was, surprisingly, Charlotte, for her real sacrifice of marrying for comfort, protection, and financial security instead of love. Charlotte is "plain" and therefore not beautiful, or even pretty; she doesn't have Lizzie's prospects of making a good match, and she accepts the poor hand that Fortune has dealt her.

I did have some issues with the ending, however. The climatic panorama shot of Darcy walking in hte rain toward Lizzie was a bit long. Lady Catherine's objection to the marriage was sort of just brushed aside--I would have liked to see more resolution of that subplot. And ending on a kiss is classic chick flick, but I wanted a bit more substance and a bit less fluff for the classic Regency romance.

I still adore this movie though. For once, a book-turned-film hasn't been a terrible disappointment. Huzzah!

Comments

[springgreen.livejournal.com]

I loved it a lot too! I felt sort of weird first watching it, because I adore the BBC miniseries to death, but I was able to put that aside and just have fun watching this one. I adored the scene with Mr. Bennett laughing in his study and just how young and impulsive Elizabeth felt.