Movie : Pride & Prejudice (2005)

All the negative reviews I've read of this movie are about how it's different from the book or it's not as good as the BBC version. This is not a good criticism. It's a movie, it doesn't need to follow the book word for word. Plus, this movie is based in a different time than the book and the people are not of the same high status. You may not like the movie as much as the book, that's fair, but that's not a fault of the movie. It's odd to think people would have judged the movie differently if they hadn't read the book, it's not the same entity. If you want a movie to be exactly like the book, then film it yourself. The director decided to change the story to fit his tastes, that's what directors do. To criticize this movie because it isn't as good as the BBC mini-series, isn't fair either. It may not be as good, but you're not judging this movie on it's own merits. People seem awfully condescending when comparing the movie to the book, as if it's an insult to the very hallowed nature of literature.

That being said, the movie was alright. I wasn't blown away by it, but it was enjoyable. I would really like to see the BBC series though, from all the praise it's getting. I haven't had much interest in reading the book, and really still don't, but I'll give it a try.

For the most part I thought the acting very good. Knightly did a fine job, and Sutherland is always fantastic. I'm not that impressed by Macfadyen's, Darcy though. He came across as rich, stuck up, geek. With his long coat and greasy hair, he appeared more like one of the Trenchcoat Mafia than a refined English gentleman. I find it hard to believe she would be attracted to someone like him. If they didn't fall in love I'm sure he would have ended up being her stalker. Honestly, he is far too awkward and clueless about women to get someone like Lizzie. Being the strong, intelligent type that she is, she would see through his arrogance to the scared boy. In a perfect world you would hope he gets the girl, but it's not likely.

The scenery and costumes were well done, nice to see period dresses that actually get dirty. Some clever camera tricks and lighting techniques, but not enough to be distracting.

7 ½ out of 10

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