Why???

Rating: 2/10 (8 September 2005)

Why was this movie ever made?! The 1995 mini series is the definitive version and the only one anybody ever needs to see. This version has been made into a cross between some sort of modern chick flick (with some - often rather dubious - period costumes thrown in) and a melodramatic version of a Bronte novel. Caroline Bingley's outfits are ridiculous (not to mention Mr. Bingley's hair style), Darcy is boring, dull and completely unconvincing, and Donald Sutherland is completely miscast as Mr. Bennet. The Bennet sisters remind me more of the March girls in Little Women with their constant (and irritating) giggling and silliness and the chemistry between Darcy and Elizabeth is non-existent. Keira is a good actress and might almost be able to carry the role off if it hadn't already been so well done by Jennifer Ehle. Unfortunately for all the good actors in Pride and Prejudice (and don't get me wrong, most of them are good) they suffer from a truly dreadful script. Maybe it's just the purist in me but when a book has been so incredibly well written, why bother to change it? All of the subtlety and most of the wit and humour is missing making the film adaptation of arguably the best book ever written into nothing more than a mildly enjoyable rom-com. As for the good points of the film, Judi Dench is great (although it is too obvious a role for her) and the locations are fantastic. Unfortunately, the writers have tried for a Cathy/ Heathcliff look for Darcy and Elizabeth with lots of dramatic scenery and sudden downpours (so not Austen's style and totally unnecessary). Overall, provided you haven't seen the 1995 mini series or read the book, you will probably find it a mildly amusing, if slightly dull, way to spend two hours. Any purists out there - stick to the book and original TV version. You won't be missing anything special by not going to see it. Sorry to be so scathing of anything Austen-related but this truly wasn't worth the time, money or effort that went into making it. I've no idea why the reviews are rating it so highly (unless it's to make more people go) but your money will be better spent buying the Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle version on DVD.