Pride And Prejudice

Director: Joe Wright
Starring: Keira Knightley, Matthew MacFayden, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland, Simon Woods, Rosumand Pike
Running time: 127 mins
Certificate: U

Mrs. Bennett (Blethyn) is overjoyed at the arrival of a pair of eligible young bachelors into the neighbourhood as it provides her with an opportunity to get at least one of her five daughters married off and achieve financial security for the family. Eldest daughter Jane (Pike) is swept off her feet by Bingley (Woods) whilst his friend Mr. Darcy (MacFayden) finds himself drawn to Elizabeth (Knightley), though her family leave a lot to be desired. The movie, based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, tells the story of the girl’s respective problematic journeys to the altar.

It could be said that Austen’s 'Pride And Prejudice' was the forerunner of a plethora of romantic-comedies that have all used the book as its basic formula. The heroine sets her heart on somebody clearly out of their league be it in terms of social status, wealth or other circumstances, obstructed by competition for the person's affections from those more suited to them, and by supposed crimes committed by the target which unjustifiably turns the heroine off them…but then there's a happy ending.

Happily, even though set in Georgian England, the film never makes its source material seem dated. A large part of this is due to the humour, which is delivered with a very modern slant but doesn't feel out of place at all. The story is timeless and Wright makes the characters easy to empathise with and relate to, with the audience constantly being encouraged to keep their fingers crossed for Elizabeth throughout her tumultuous love life.

There are strong performances from all. Keira Knightley is very impressive as Elizabeth, delivering some caustic lines with an excellent sardonic expression. MacFayden also does admirably in the role of Darcy, which Colin Firth made his own in the 1990s BBC adaptation of the book, concentrating more on the shy awkward side of the character whereas Firth focussed on his brooding. The supporting cast are also great, with Tom Hollander's performance of Mr Collins being particularly entertaining.

The film is visually stunning in its costumes and its scenery, be it in elegant dancehalls, lavish stately homes or landscapes. However the third features the picture's most melodramatic scene in which an open-shirted Darcy marches his way across the misty moors to his lover.

Pride And Prejudice is an excellent, and perhaps the definitive romantic comedy. Fans of the book and those who have never met the story in any form before should fall for it equally. Although it is hard for many to imagine that the BBC production and Colin Firth’s Darcy could be equalled let alone beaten, this film is definitely worth a look.