Simply Stunning

Rating: 9/10 (12 August 2006)

One of my favorite films to date, Pride and Prejudice is a film that is stunning on several levels: the performances are excellent, the soundtrack is amazing, and the cinematography is beyond comparison.
One of the things I love so much about this movie is the atmosphere. With many movies, people will remark that they felt like they were actually there, witnessing the story. With Pride and Prejudice, I felt not only that I was there as an observer, but that this was MY world, too. The beautiful camera-work will just draw you right in.
The performances were stellar. The entire cast was great, and it's interesting to note that, among the "stars" that made up the cast, there are several lesser known actors; this was the first movie credit for both Carey Mulligan (Kitty) and Tamzin Merchant (Georgiana).
However, it's important to note that this movie is not entirely like the book. (Any spoilers that follow are minor and relate to the book, not the film.) Some of my favorite scenes from the novel were cut down or didn't appear in the movie at all. Other times, lines that were originally said by one character in the novel were said by another character in the movie. (The most amusing case being Miss Bingley's mocking line to Mary, "Indeed, much more rational, but rather less like a ball", which was directed at Miss Bingley herself in the novel.) Most of the differences are minor; for example, the absence of Maria Lucas on the trip to Rosings Park (she didn't play much of a role in the novel, anyway) and the potential relationship between Lizzie and Colonel Fitzwilliam (never even referenced in the film...however, this plot angle never really affected the outcome of Pride and Prejudice). The situation involving Lydia's marriage was not as major a part of the movie as it was of the novel. (Personally, that was a relief to me...that portion of the novel is what I usually skip over when I re-read the book.) Georgiana's character in the film is significantly different from her character in the book--the film portrays Georgiana as much more outgoing, while the novel describes her as shy and a bit socially awkward.
All in all, I give this film excellent marks. It's not a word-for-word adaptation of the book, and cannot be considered a replacement for it (as in, "Oh, I always meant to read Pride and Prejudice, but now I'll just see the movie.") Die-hard Jane Austen fans might not care for it so much, but, speaking as someone who loved both the book AND the movie, I can honestly say that it's a very satisfying and charming film.
9.5/10 stars