Review of Pride And Prejudice (2005)

Introduction

Following hot on the heels (well, just under ten years to be precise) of the incredible success of the BBC adaptation of this Jane Austen novel, many amongst us went to see this with arms folded. Keira Knightley as Elisabeth? Well, she was great in `Bend it like Beckham` but was she really made of the right stuff for a role like this? And surely it would be unthinkable to imagine anyone other than Colin Firth in the role of Darcy, which he played so brilliantly in the BBC adaptation? And surely (this was the big one) a condensed two-hour Hollywood friendly version would be just too slight to get across the wonderful subtleties and formalities of Austen`s England?

Well, not really because this is actually rather good. More than good …it`s very, very good. Sumptuously shot and cleverly directed, nicely adapted for the big screen with a screenplay that is faithful enough to the template set by Austen, and actually rather cleverly cast with Knightly making a convincing and attractive Elizabeth, Matthew Macfadyen playing an alternative but convincing Darcy, and (surprisingly) Donald Sutherland turning in a great performance as Mr. Bennett, the father of an entirely female household (a position I can easily relate to!).

Jane Austen`s novel centres around the Bennet family, a typical upper middle-class English family of the Georgian period. The family comprised Mr and Mrs Bennet, and five sisters - Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia Bennet, all fast approaching marriageable age. When a wealthy young man (Mr. Bingley) and his best friend (Mr. Darcy) arrive in their neighbourhood, there is much excitement, particularly as there is to be a dance in their honour.

The Bennet`s situation is a precarious one. If Mr Bennet dies a distant cousin will inherit their house so the family`s future is entirely dependant on the daughters marriages.

But all doesn`t run quite like a Disney film. Mr. Darcy is a handsome man, but an exceedingly private and proud one, often appearing to be heartless and arrogant. His friend Mr. Bingley falls in love with the oldest of the Bennet girls (the exceptionally pretty Jane played by the exceptionally pretty Rosamund Pike) though Darcy, believing that the match is not one of true love, puts pay to the relationship. Just as Elizabeth is about to fall for his charms, she discovers his interference in her sister`s plans and the `misunderstanding` drives a wedge between the two would -be lovers.

From this point on the film turns into a deliciously maddening series of events that slowly bring the two back towards each other - as it`s clear to us that they`re madly in love.

In the end, though the novel may well have been a clever and humorous critique on English society (and its prejudices), its real appeal is in the fact that it an incredibly romantic love story.

The whole thing is beautifully set with some inventive cinematography (see that Steadicam shot at the beginning of the film as we`re introduced to the Bennet household - it`s technically breath-taking), wonderful costumes and settings and the cast do a great job of bringing something fresh to this well-loved tale.

20-year-old Keira Knightly does an impressive and convincing job and looks perfect for the role, and she`s ably abetted by a really strong cast. Other than the aforementioned Sutherland and Pike, also worthy of special mention are Brenda Blethyn as Lizzie`s irrepressible mother, and Judi Dench as the formidable and utterly wretched Lady Catherine, the epitome of all that was wrong with societal prejudice at the time.

Astonishingly, this is Director Joe Wright`s first big movie and there`s something very likable about his self-deprecating and wide-eyed manner on the Director`s yak-track. As he says, he `…nearly wet himself when he saw the Universal logo appear at the front end of his movie`.

The movie`s appeal is broad ranging though will be especially enjoyed by those with a romantic persuasion, from 12 years old upwards.

Video

Stunning wide-screen anamorphic picture which is flawless, showing off the almost painterly composition of some of the shots to great effect.

Audio

A very nice and subtle use of 5.1, bringing in slight atmospherics to the rear on occasion, or the swell of orchestration, or a few piano notes at just the right moments. Dialogue is clear throughout (though you may favour pumping up the volume of the centre speakers for some of the more whispered stuff. You may also choose to do this during the audio commentary too where Joe Wright`s voice occasionally gets lost amongst the rising atmos).

Features

There are plenty of extras (all mercifully short and to the point) which enhance the overall understanding and appreciation of the film.
These include a Trailer (just because it can .why watch a trailer for a film you`ve already bought or rented?) as well as a large number of `featurettes`.

THE POLITICS OF DATING
This brief overview of the formalities of dating in Georgian England uses talking heads and illustrative footage from the movie to make its points.

THE STATELY HOMES OF PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
This is a kind of interactive map that allows you to click on any of five hotspots for more information about the houses used as locations in the movie. Once clicked, you can select `play film` or `view photos`. The movie tends to be a mix of talking head interviews (with cast and crew as well as local curators etc) and the photo galleries are interior and exterior stills of the houses as visitors may see them today, and some archival stuff. The five locations include Chatsworth House, Burghley, Wilton House, Basildon Park, and Cambridge Place.

THE BENNETS
This brief piece, featuring interviews with Director, Producer, Writer, Cast and Crew discusses the family that is at the heart of Pride and Prejudice, the Bennets, and the importance placed on marrying off the daughters.

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JANE AUSTEN
Running at just a few minutes this is hardly a definitive piece though allows those involved in the film, as well as the curators of Jane Austen`s house, to briefly discuss Jane Austen`s life and work.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE FAMILY TREE
This is an interactive family tree that is actually pretty clumsy, allowing just two individuals to be featured on the screen at any one time. Probably a good idea at the DVD planning brainstorm meeting!

GALLERIES OF THE 19TH CENTURY
These are `slide-shows` of displays from the V & A museum. You can select from `Clothing and Costumes` `Jewellery and Accessories` and `Furniture and Furnishings`.

ON SET DIARIES
A nice little `making of` featurette that shows everyone in the cast and crew saying nice things about each other as well as having plenty of fun on the set. Running at around 6 minutes it`s just about right.

ALTERNATIVE US ENDING
Rather than ending on the shot of the Father`s happiness following Darcy`s request for his daughter`s hand, this then moves off to a slushy kissy-kissy romantic piece that shows Liz and Darcy madly in love .just in case you hadn`t figured it. That said - all the girls in my house preferred this ending to the UK one.

DIRECTOR`S COMMENTARY
Joe Wright was pretty much an unknown at the time of making this movie. His self-deprecating unpretentious approach is a real pleasure to listen to…a bit like listening to Ricky Gervais on Radio 2. With phrases like `He`s an amazin` bloke…` he`s hardly part of the upper crust, though we won`t allow that to prejudice us against him. There`s one particularly heart warming revelation. He cast Donald Sutherland in the role because he reminded Joe of his own father. Ahhh!

Conclusion

Having thoroughly enjoyed the BBC adaptation of this quintessentially British novel (produced nearly ten years ago), I wasn`t sure how I`d react to this condensed movie version, particularly when I heard that Keira Knightly was to take the lead role opposite Matthew Macfadyen`s Darcy. I needn`t have worried.

This is a very fine film indeed, a relatively faithful adaptation, beautifully shot and well cast, full of wonderful settings, costumes and dialogue.
The DVD itself is nicely presented with a flawless transfer, a nice audio track and oodles of extras that are nicely presented and just about the right length. (For once I actually found myself enjoying the Director`s commentary which was very personable and refreshingly unpretentious).

Austen purists may find that the two-hour adaptation has taken one or two liberties with the original concept and text, though it seemed to me to be a fairly respectful adaptation.

If you love romantic period cinema then you clearly won`t be disappointed.