Love it, superior to the 1995 mini series

Rating: 9/10 (6 April 2017)

I think ones tastes depends on which movie was seen first. I am a huge fan of Austen and the Bronte Sister, and yes, I have read the books.
I had no interest in seeing any adaptation, as I was never sure I would come to like them. The book, a commentary on the treatment of women, whose lives and social status depended upon having a suitable husband and marriage. It is also a book about perception, prejudices based on first impressions.
This movie was passionate, and lush, with beautiful cinematography. Keira Knightly was outstanding, as was Matthew McFayden as Mr. Darcy, the towering man of wealth, suffering unrequited love of Elizabeth Bennett, who despises him. The entire cast was stellar, and Rosamund Pike as Jane was lovely, and her acting superb. This was a very well-rounded cast. Mrs. Bennett was as shrill and nervous as expected, and Mr. Bennett as indifferent and dismissive as I expected him to be.
Keira delivered her lines with such aplomb, I can watch this movie over and over again. I would have loved to her with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy,, can you imagine how outstanding that would be? That said, Matthew McFayden is EQUALLY fantastic as Colin Firth in this role. But far more sympathetic to me than Firth's Mr. Darcy. McFayden's Mr. Darcy almost seemed too vulnerable and lovelorn, but his performance makes up for the liberty taken with this aspect of Mr. Darcy's character.
My thoughts on the 1995 version... Ehle smirked too much. And at inappropriate times. And her eyes wandered, she often looked away from the other actors when speaking to them in scenes. Almost like she is lost in thought. And that bothered me. Elizabeth is a fiery spirit, and Ehle was far too passive in her depiction. I feel that Keira embodied everything I imagined Elizabeth Bennett to be. I felt that Ehle's acting was below average. But she was the first to tackle our beloved Elizabeth, so she receives more credit than she deserves for the role. I also found the final proposal from Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth a bit perfunctory, and unromantic. But I blame the director, not the actors. They didn't even look at each other. Ehle spouts her dialogue, like an 8th grader in a school play. Though, in some scenes she excelled. Firth was everything I expect of Mr. Darcy. Jane, from the 1995 version, was not the beauty the book wrote of, and I found her face and smile off-putting, if you'll forgive me for saying such a rude thing. She's fine, but not what I imagine Jane to look like, Ehle was much pretty when Jane was supposed to be the prettier of the sisters. I felt 2005 got this right, while managing to cast a stunning beauty like Keira in the role of Elizabeth, muting her attractiveness just enough so that Rosamund Pike could truly shine.