A Glorious, Beautiful, Simply Wonderful Film

Rating: 9/10 (18 September 2005)

After last year's abysmal Bride and Prejudice, I halted, uncertain on the threshold of this film, the period retelling of Jane Austen's classic novel, nervous of a similar experience beginning to show itself, but I took the plunge. Within a short space of time my fears had vanished, and had turned into feelings of joy and ecstatic wonder at the beauty of this film.
The film has almost breathtaking beauty. It is beautifully shot by Roman Osin who uses glorious countryside and wonderfully colour in the exteriors and captures the sumptuous design in the interiors. And what design! It is a wonderful period piece with ornate and beautiful things to behold, all of which are held within the bracket of authenticity.
Credit must also be given to three others: Joe Wright for a stunning feature length directorial debut, Deborah Moggach for a superb adaptation of a novel that is sacred to millions and Dario Marianelli for his glorious subtle and splendid score. But above all, the thing that stands above all others is the superb ensemble.
Keira Knightley is brilliant as Elizabeth Bennet, providing the first really great performance of a career that will, no doubt, be glittering. Matthew MacFadyen is also good as the, initially, proud and miserable Mr. Darcy, whilst Brenda Blethyn and Donald Sutherland are fantastic as Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, although Sutherland's accent is occasionally questionable. The rest of the cast is brilliant with a star turn from Tom Hollander as Mr. Collins.
It is simply the best British film of the year so far and is set to be embraced by thousands young and old.