What a beautiful film

Rating: 8/10 (19 August 2007)

Negative comments about the absence of the wit of the novel as well as the lack of detail and explanation found in the Colin Firth depiction are understandable. This is a movie, constrained by time limits, I have yet to meet anyone who would happily sit in a cinema chair for the length of time it would take to fully explain and illustrate the titular 'Pride & Prejudice'. There are some stunning historical liberties, and the Hollywood ending on the DVD is a crime.
Having said that I enjoyed it immensely; both leads are very well played and the supporting cast is excellent, particularly Tom Hollander, as always. The tension between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy is palpable and believable. I have to say I did find the last scene between Mr Bennett and Elizabeth slightly cringe making and I am disappointed that Wickham, a character who serves as an interesting insight into both Darcy and Elizabeth was largely sidelined.
Matthew McFaddyn has both the sex appeal and aloofness necessary to pull off Mr Darcy and as someone who usually avoids Keira Knightely like the plague my fears of her destroying one of my favourite heroines was unfounded, she caught the knowing look and forthright nature of Elizabeth very well.
The real star however has to be the cinematography, who would want to reign in the person who created such a feast for the eyes? Who cares if the lighting is Hardyesque? This novel was set in a time when England was not besieged with cars and coaches and monstrous motorways and the director was quite right to show England and it's best. Am I wrong in thinking that both Hardy and Austen set their novels in the same country? The locations are as beautiful as the music they are set to and whoever came up with Stourhead as the location for the first proposal is a genius. Yes, the Peak District scene where Elizabeth stands on the rock looking out over the world is straight from Wuthering Heights, but in my mind it captured the emotion of the film.
This is a well meaning and entertaining film, not for the purists among us but film adaptations of classic novels rarely are... I sometimes think these people watch the movies solely for the pleasure of moaning about them.