Good, interesting choices in direction, casting and editing

Rating: 5/10 (13 November 2005)

The actor I thought I would be most adverse to was the one I was the most impressed with -- MacFayden. He portrayed a very believable Darcy and was - in his own choices and style - convincing and quite attractive. Less impressed was I with other actors and their character development. Knightly as E.Bennett was not believable and lacked a certain kind of, let's say, sophistication that Austin fans are so attracted to. I far preferred the Caroline Bingley that was portrayed in the mini-series. The character development was superior and timeless to the qualities of snobbery and prejudice. Kelly Reilly was transparently "today" and again, lacked the period sophistication portrayed so brilliantly in the book and mini series. Also, In the book and in the mini series, one could hardly wait for Lady Catherine de Bourg to be on camera. The editing choices in this movie left her part wanting and as much as I admire Dame Judi Dench, was not at all satisfied with the portrayal. Tom Hollander was a terrific Mr. Collins - physical type and acting ability, choices seemed a good match! I especially liked the camera angles and shots of the countryside.I wondered long and hard about the edits that would be necessary to make this movie and knew it would be tough. On the one hand it was believable to see the chickens, geese and animals back-dropped on the Bennett property and perhaps filled in questions that people have speculated about over the years. But, on the other hand,I did not get a sense of connectedness from character to character, family to family and an authentic connection especially to the period sophistication and mannerisms. I did not want the script changed or interpreted for me as though it were iambic pentameter or something. I wanted it portrayed exactly as it were - an enchanting piece of literature representing an enchanting period of time. That said, if you've not ever seen the mini series or read the book, it is a good movie.