Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Movie review: Pride and Prejudice 2005

First things first...it's not bad. In fact, it's quite good. Unfortunately, it will always be compared to the 1995 BBC version starring COLIN and JENNIFER. Keira and Matthew...they're not bad. In fact, I think this may be the best acting I've seen Keira do - even though Lizzie is meant to be plain, so they just dress her down a bit. Luckily Rosamund Pike was cast as Jane...there are some shots of Rosamund that make her look so beautiful, it was a good call. Matthew...well he's not classically good looking. He's a self-described *Pudding-head* and in some shots I've got to agree. But once you get past the fact that he's nowhere near as smouldering as COLIN, he's quite good and sexy. I think its the combination of the voice (deeeeeeeep), the eyes (puppy dog), and the coat (big and flowing).

Of course, the movie cramming the story into 2 hours will suffer against the 6 hour miniseries. The main events - the Assembly Rooms, Netherfield Ball etc get put in, meaning that the cuts and compressions were
the conversations and witty repartee that make it a comedy of manners. People who added conflict were also cut - Wickham for one...other than his looks, you don't see much of what appeal he had for Lizzee, and Mr and Mrs Hurst were completely missing.

The presentation was also a bit more Bronte than Austen - there were a lot of standing alone looking into the distance and wild weather. Darcy's ardently admiring speech for one takes place in a driving rainstorm while he and Lizzee are taking refuge in a Greek temple folly. There are also a few things that seem out of place given that it takes place during the Regency. During the Netherfield Ball, Darcy and Lizzee stop in the middle of the dance to stand very close and talk to each other....and no one comments. Not even a complaint that they've stuffed up the dance formation! In another Lizzee has gone to Meryton with her sisters, but isnt wearing a bonnet or cloak.

But these complaints are just trifles, they do not truly vex me
3.5-4/5

No comments: