Absolutely awful!

Rating: 1/10 (3 December 2006)

This must be one of the worst possible versions of P&P that could possibly be conceived. While I realise the difficulties in fitting such a rich story into a 2-hour film, the time constraints are no excuse for the absolutely appalling acting. I couldn't imagine a worse Lizzy Bennett. Keira Knightley seems to possess only two facial expressions and she turns a witty and intelligent young woman into a silly and insipid character. Mr Darcy too has none of the charm or mystery expected by those of us who love the book, hardly displaying any personality. The writers of the screenplay seem to have entirely missed the relationships and undercurrents within the Bennett household as well as the customs of the day when the story was written. The only saving grace of this film is the performance of Dame Judi Dench as Lady Catherine de Burgh, but one does wonder why she would wish to associate herself with this otherwise very poor production.
Anyone who wishes to acquaint themselves with the magic that is Pride and Prejudice should get hold of a copy of the 1995 BBC miniseries, which is much more true to the original story and characters. And as for an example of how to turn one of Jane Austen's masterpieces into a 2-hour Hollywood performance, I would highly recommend the mid-90s Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thomson and Kate Winslet who show that there is indeed a way of portraying 19th century women as something other than giggling fools.