It is a truth universally acknowledged that the 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is the best out of all the costume dramas. Having recently watched said drama for the third time only last week, I began viewing the 2005 movie starring Keira Knightley with a little apprehension. Thankfully I was soon won over.
In two hours, director Joe Wright had condensed the famous novel into a faithful and entertaining spectacle. We all know the story by now: Mrs Bennett’s attempts to get her eldest daughter married against a backdrop of class distinction and circumstance acquaint her family with Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy. While the former gentleman is very amiable, his friend soon expresses himself to be the most unpleasant and proud person ever to be met. The second Bennett girl, Elizabeth, is particularly vociferous in her dislike of him; yet despite their opposite social standing, he is madly in love with her.
When Bingley and Darcy entered the first assembly, everything stopped as though the King himself had condescended to join them. Indeed, Simon Woods’ Bingley sported an Elvis-like quiff, so perhaps it is not too far from the truth.
It was very easy to see how Mr Wickham, played by Orlando Bloom look-alike Rupert Friend, was able to capture the hearts of the Bennett family and pull the wool over everyone’s eyes.
From the instant Tom Hollander appeared as Mr Collins, I knew his sermons would be the sort to fall asleep to, and most of his congregation agreed. His introducing himself to Matthew Macfadyen’s Darcy at the Netherfield ball was one of the laugh out loud moments, and showcased the contrasting characters of the two men, as well as their rather substantial height difference.
However the sparks did not seem to light in the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth; even their dance at Netherfield lacked chemistry. It was not until Darcy’s proposal in the rain that the fireworks flew between them, but it was worth the wait.
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