must...remain...faithful...to Colin Firth...and a&e...AAGH, why is it soo good?!?!

Rating: 9/10 (13 November 2005)

I must admit that I went into the theatre almost completely biased and determined to dislike this movie and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy because who on earth could live up to Colin Firth's gorgeously arrogant and aristocratic portrayal of Fitzwilliam? I tried to dislike it, I tried to find fault. Damn it all, blast and wretch!! Urgh, all right, all right, it's good, it's GOOD...!!
Keira Knightley, i think, is a better choice for playing Lizzy because while Jennifer Ehle is a good actress and fairly attractive, Keira shows Lizzy's rough edges and unconventional beauty in the Victorian era. And I know it sounds weird, but Keira's body type fits Lizzy better I think. Jennifer has gorgeous flawless smooth white skin and is just barely plump-ish, and has perfect curls; to me this does NOT seem like Lizzy Bennett. Now Keira Knightley has a slightly almost ruddy complexion, slightly messy hair, is tall and lanky, and has pretty much no boobs. Jennifer, has boobs. It may seem weird, but it makes sense.
By the end of the movie, I loved Matthew Macfadyen even though I felt like I was betraying my dear Colin Firth. As far as the image of arrogance and self-importance, Colin succeeds better. But when it comes to Darcy informing Lizzy of his love for her, Macfadyen is better in that he really looked ticked off that he's tried so hard not to like her but he just can't help himself and that makes him even more ticked off. I could totally see the thoughts of "I've tried SO FREAKING HARD to not even like you, let alone, love you, and I still do, it's against my better judgement, you're beneath me, it would be socially stupid of me to marry you, but god help me, I love you and I want to marry you."
Mrs. Bennett, haha, she's great: a fidgety scheming nervous wreck of a woman. Wonderful. ^_^ Mr. Bennett was delightful in his own small role: laid back and does well with his few little funny bits. Judi Dench was wonderful as Lady Catherine de Bourg, although I kept thinking of her as the crotchety and full-of-vinegar Armande in "Chocolat". ^_^ He's ridiculous, but I felt really bad for poor Mr. Collins because no one really ever listens to him, not even his wife. Kitty and Lydia were wonderfully giggly Victorian teeny-bopper flirts.
I did wonder a little at the cinematography, as far as closeups went. It just seemed like every time the camera panned to another person, it would zoom in just a little when they spoke, and then when the camera panned back again, it would do its little zoom think again.
Costumes were great, even though I've always detested most of the Victorian styles for women. Darcy still looks good...
Scenery was nice, especially Darcy's house. Good freakin' LORD, that place is HUGE, and sooo NICE! Which reminds me of another character analysis: Tamzin Merchant as Georgiana was adorable! And the little knowing look she gave to her brother when Lizzy was in the room, well, it was perfect. ~_^
So yes, even though it pains me and I feel disloyal to A & E and Colin Firth, I must give this film a 9 out of 10 for wonderful awkward moments, superb acting, and the most-perfect-to-date portrayal of Jane Austen's novel I have ever seen.
thespian wishes,
~*kitty Walsh*~