I decided to pick Pride & Prejudice this week for two different reasons. One, because it has to do with a future article series I’m writing, and two, because it’s a movie I rewatch at least once a year. The book, as with many of Jane Austen’s novels, is a classic and the 2005 movie version is my personal favorite adaptation.
Mrs. Bennet’s (Brenda Blethyn) is eager to marry off her five daughters. Though they are members of the British landed gentry class, as women none of them can inherit their father Mr. Bennet’s (Donald Sutherland) estate Longbourn. Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bennet (Kiera Knightley), the second oldest, finds little joy in her mother’s matchmaking and is content with her life as is. Mrs. Bennet’s efforts are increased with the arrival of the rich and eligible Mr. Bingley (Simon Woods), declaring one of her daughters must marry him. As luck would have it, Mr. Bingley is immediately smitten with Jane (Rosamund Pike), the oldest daughter, when they meet at a local dance. Lizzy, on the other hand, has an unpleasant encounter with Bingley’s friend Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen). They continue to irk each other during every encounter they have, neither wanting to let go of their preconceived notions of the other. The arrival of the Bennet’s heir Mr. Collins (Tom Hollander) and the mysterious Mr. Wickham (Rupert Friend), who has a contentious history with Darcy, only add to their already strained relationship. While Lizzy’s relationship with Darcy is disagreeable, Jane and Bingley seem to be getting on. Instead of wedding bells however, Bingley suddenly leaves for London, along with his sister Caroline (Kelly Reilly) and Darcy. When Lizzy encounters Darcy again months later, she learns that it was he who got between her sister and Bingley. He then surprisingly proposes to her, declaring that he loves her in spite of her family’s occasional improprieties. Lizzy rejects him, firmer in her dislike for him. Heartbroken, he leaves writes her a letter explaining his actions and exposing the truth about Mr. Wickham. Later, after another encounter with Darcy in the Peak District, Lizzy starts to warm to him. He proves himself to be less rigid and very generous to her and the Gardiners, her aunt and uncle she’s traveling with. This behavior continues as Darcy helps the Bennet’s recover from a potential scandal with Lydia Bennet (Jena Malone) and works to get Bingley and Jane back together. Eventually, Lizzy realizes that she’s grown to love Darcy. Both she and Jane get their happy endings, much to the relief of their mother.
First I have to say I love this movie. The performances, the music, the costumes, everything adds to the romance of the story and are what has created a cult following. That being said, I understand when some people say it’s not as true to the book as it could be. My favorite book adaptations are ones that can take the core story and make it a cohesive and engaging film. Yes there are many great side characters and plots that were cut, many which I enjoyed from the book, but it still feels like a complete story without them. The BBC Pride and Prejudice miniseries is the ultimate adaptation for many, but to me it felt drawn out at times. There was a lot more screen time to work with, so there didn’t have to be as much taken out of the original story. Still, I felt it could’ve used some trimming or had a better pace.
Pride & Prejudice takes some liberties with the source material, like setting the film in the late 1790s instead of the early 1810s and changing some of the characterizations. Matthew Macfadyen’s Darcy is more socially awkward rather than just rude, which to me only makes Lizzy’s change of heart later more believable. Judi Dench’s Lady Catherine (Darcy’s Aunt) is also a bit scarier than earlier versions. Her superior attitude reads more like entitlement of nobility than impetuousness. The overall acting seems more grounded in reality than just stereotypes, though in the book many of these characters are meant to be caricatures.
The movie focuses on the storyline of Lizzy and Darcy while the book focuses on the characters and social conventions of the time. Both are great stories, the movie only being slightly more streamlined. Screenwriter Deborah Moggach did an excellent job of adapting the story while trying to stay true to the original themes. It’s hard to tell any of Austen’s stories in two hours, but Moggach truly made it work without becoming superficial. I recently reviewed the new Persuasion, and this was a big problem many had with how the story was adapted.
Pride & Prejudice is an excellent example of how adapting a book for film doesn’t have to be word for word faithful but still needs to capture the essence of the source material. It’s a great film for literature lovers and novices alike.
One moment I loved: I mean, I have to mention the hand flex. It’s a moment that has been turned into memes and gifs and is a great example of how the small details are what make the film so memorable. Honorable mentions to the long tracking shot during Bingley’s ball (another nod to the details in this one) and Bingley practicing his proposal with Darcy.
One moment that took my breath away: There are so many from the Peak District shots to Darcy’s first proposal, but if I had to pick a single moment it would be Lizzy and Darcy dancing at Bingley’s ball. It’s gorgeously shot and the music adds so much to the tension of the scene. Also the switch to just the two of them dancing is such an interesting choice that really highlights their changing relationship. Both walked away different people than who they were before the music began.
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