From One Austenphile to others

Rating: 7/10 (13 November 2005)

The basic Plot is boy meets girl. Boy thinks girls family is beneath him, and girl thinks boy is a snot. Girl makes some assumptions further about boy's character based on information from a questionable source. Boy falls in love with girl. Boy confesses his love and is rejected. Girl goes off and contemplates that she may have allowed prejudice to sway her before the facts. Boy goes off and contemplates if he has been too full of pride or just plain full of himself. Boy and girl meet again. Girl's sisters become an obstacle to their relationship developing further. And eventually all is resolved. There are finer details, and if you really want to know, read the book.
Performances by Matthew MacFayden, Kiera Knightley, Brenda Blethyn, Judi Dench, Donald Sutherland, Tom Hollander,and Rosamund Pike were especially good. I also liked Jenna Malone and Rupert Friend who set a standard for their roles.
I was pleased with some of the changes made in terms of portraying the characters. I feel this movie was more sympathetic towards some of Austen's characters who are often easily written off as caricatures. I like seeing Elizabeth portrayed as somewhat adolescent in her temper. I like the added scene between Mary and her father at the ball. I like Mrs. Bennet telling Lizzy that "When you have five daughters, we'll see what you think of." I appreciated the realism of this cast. I also liked how this film showed Mr and Mrs Bennet as having some relationship between them. I forgive them consolidating scenes. I even forgave them the alteration of the critical final disclosure scene between Elizabeth and Darcy. I forgive them cutting some of the smaller characters,I think that's to be expected. I think the story boils down to growth. It's about two people who challenge each other's view point and consequently become catalysts for change within each other.
I also want to add, that the scene between them on the Rosing's estate in the rain, was very erotic and a superbly fresh interpretation of the script.
And so in the end, that is why I vehemently object to the exchange between Charolette and Elizabeth after the former announces her engagement. It's believable that Lizzy opens her mind through examining the choices of her friend. It's less believable that Lizzy changes perspective because her friend tells her to. Also,in another scene, I vehemently object to the notion that The Gardiners would leave Elizabeth and drive back to town in their carriage without her. Not even remotely possible. So ultimately while I love what was preserved, and I love some of the enhancements, I walked away with a sour aftertaste in my mouth. But I still plan to buy it on video.