I fell in love with Jane Austen's story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy after watching the miniseries starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth until the sun came up -literally. After waking the next morning with a newfound love of Austen's words and characters, I immediately had to read everything she had ever written.
I devoured "Pride and Prejudice" in one day, and "Sense and Sensibility" in about three. For myself, and other Austen fans, the arrival of another remake of this classic love story seemed inevitable. There have been several remakes; the most recent one opens today.
I went in to the screening of the film with the notion that nothing can top the version starring Firth and Ehle. Ultimately, I left feeling the same way. With that said, Austen's story is still engaging and enchanting no matter who is playing these iconic characters.
This updated version starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth and Matthew MacFadyen as Mr. Darcy is ideal for those not as familiar with the story and Austen's other novels. The film manages to condense the entire novel into a two-hour time span. It may sound like an impossible feat considering how much fans adore the five-hour BBC version released in 1995.
The novel is set in 19th century England - a time when women wore corsets and a horse and carriage was the essential means of transportation. Women were courted during this time and some marriages were arranged from birth.
Keeping these things in mind, it is important for the characters of Elizabeth and Darcy to communicate their feelings for one another in the most low-key of ways. Their curious glances at one another during the ball at Netherfield and the catty remarks they say to each another upon nearly every meeting, are intended to be the signs of growing affection. Naturally, in the BBC version, these exchanges are more developed, and in this new version they are more sped up.
Luckily, Knightley and MacFadyen have excellent chemistry. The viewer still has the sense that their love grew over time, even if it was only two hours of time. Although their chemistry is the most important factor in keeping the movie afloat, there are a few characters and plot lines that seem to have fallen to the wayside.
Particularly the character of Whickham, played by Rupert Friend, contributes very little to this updated version. This puzzled me considering that his character is supposed to fall in love with Elizabeth, and in this one he was deduced to a mere footnote.
Some supporting roles help to round out the cast and the film as a whole. Donald Sutherland plays Mr. Bennet. It seemed like an odd choice at first, but in the end, Sutherland was believable as the proud papa of the Bennet girls. Brenda Blethyn, a veteran actress in England, is ideal in the role of Mrs. Bennet, the jittery mother whose sole purpose seems to be marrying off her five daughters. Dame Judi Dench is also excellent in her role as the cold as ice Lady Catherine, Mr. Darcy's aunt.
The cinematography and scenery is beautiful, and provides the romantic backdrop for the film.
This new version of "Pride and Prejudice" is worth seeing if you're a fan of the novel. However, it would be best for those who are just discovering the story. Either way, Austen's love story is touching and unforgettable no matter how many versions are made.
