New look at an old classic

Rating: Null/10 (14 August 2011)

I am an avid Jane Austin fan and have read all of her books several times. Her stories never get old. My favorite book of all time is Pride and Prejudice. The story of the romance of Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy is timeless. Whenever a movie comes out that tells the tale of my heroine, I am anxious to give it a look see. This version gave me a fresh look at my favorite. I always measure the film to the trueness it stays to the original. On that score, I was middle of the road. I have to say that the actors chosen for the main characters were a great choice, however Donald Sutherland as Mr Bennett is not British and fell short for me there, but in the movie he showed a more caring father than the original character ever was. The little add ins showing him in tender moments with his harpy wife and the scene he had with his bookish daughter Mary were sweet and a surprise for me. Keira Knightly was spot on for Elizabeth. Viewing Longbourne as a true farm sort of shocked me but that's what it really was I suppose, otherwise how is an estate to support itself? Time constraints of making a film two hours already takes out essentials and character development that is essential for a Jane Austin adaptation. Lots was left out and things added. I have to say as a film that stands on it's own, it was a good film and the period costumes and scenery were excellent. However, staying true to the book, it fell short for me.