Arguably the best version of an often-filmed favorite

Rating: 10/10 (25 July 2006)

I had heard the controversy about the non-canonical ending, so I went in fully prepared to hate this version.
It's wonderful.
It's note-perfect throughout. It's hard to see how the casting could be improved: Jane and Mrs Bennett were perfect; Knightley was surprisingly good (who suspected that she could pull off the role of Elizabeth Bennett?); and Sutherland was born to play Mr. Bennett. The interiors, set decoration, and costumes looked perfect; the dances were astonishing - and the outdoor scenes were everything they should be. (There's a credit for "digital effects" - I presume that was what helped the landscapes look so good.) Poor Mr.Darcy has an impossible job following Firth's definitive performance, but he succeeds in bringing a very credible interpretation to the role.
All in all, I found this to be a MUCH better version than the reviews would suggest. A pleasant surprise.