Romance in Subtlety

Rating: 9/10 (2 June 2006)

To put it succinctly, there's something beautiful about director Joe Wright's adaptation of Jane Austen's famous novel, Pride and Prejudice. Maybe it's the stunning British vistas that appear on screen, completely saturated in subtle tones of yellow, green, and blue. Maybe it's the delightful and classically poignant musical score that meanders unobtrusively from scene to scene. Maybe it's the understated, but expert performances given by a stellar cast. Or, maybe it's simply the fact that Pride and Prejudice is a pleasure to watch.
Jane Austen's original novel is legendarydetailing the affairs of the predominately female Bennett family (five girls in all) as they all attempt to find love in a time period where convenience and ignorance were the most attractive qualities in a partner. The eldest Bennet girls, Lizzie and Jane, find out directly that first appearances can sometimes be the greatest form of prejudice and falsehood.
Director Joe Wright succeeds because he's not afraid to embrace a style that is unpretentious, but also engaging. During a visually majestic ball scene, we are treated to a long, impressive shot that dollies from room to room, following each character as they interact with other guests. Outside the Bennet household, the camera moves from window to window, detailing the actions of all the inhabitants inside. It's a visual treat to be sure, but it also seems that in the process Wright creates an authentic worlda cinematic realm that appears to exist long after the camera has stopped rolling. As a result, Pride and Prejudice has managed to surmount one of the biggest problems of contemporary romances: we actually care about the characters.
And, what characters they are. Young Kiera Knightley excels as the quick-witted and skeptical Lizzie Bennet, finally putting to rest her ostentatious pout and delving into Austen's literary subtlety. Matthew Macfadyen plays the stern and "disagreeable" Darcy with enough pizazz to make even the legendary Colin Firth blush. But, beyond their separate performances, the sparks really fly when the two leads share the screen together. Here the romantic tension is so palpable that every handhold feels like a long passionate kiss. Every brief touch is charged with sexual energy. The supporting players are equal to the precedent set by the leads. Donald Sutherland stands out especially as the Bennet patriarch, both loving and smart. His wife, played deliciously by Talulah Riley, is both comedic and convincing as the woman who wants all her daughters to, above all, find a match that is financially sound.
Pride and Prejudice proves that romance is more about chemistry and atmosphere than showy smooches or diamond rings. The entire film simply feels authentic. And, in the process, it shows how sexy subtlety can be.