Not Austen

Rating: 1/10 (8 December 2005)

I didn't see any reason to make another adaptation of PnP after the brilliance of the 1995 mini series unless they are going to make an excellent job and sadly they didn't.
The film rushed through at an alarming pace without really getting to know any character. It was slightly sugar coated with complete lack of the classic wit of Jane Austen. The Bennet Family looked poorer than they should. KeiraKnightley's portrayal of Lizzy Bennet is too modern. She grimaces and grins every scene and came across as being so obnoxious. There was no indication that she was witty, particularly intelligent or specially attached to either Jane or her father.The girls giggled a lot.Donald Sutherland as Mr Bennet is a disaster. Mrs Bennet is less awful than JA intended.Mr Bingley was played as a complete idiot for cheap laughs. Mathew MacFadyen is more vulnerable than proud,there was no strength of personality. He does not possess the same air of dignity as Colin Firth.
This is obviously more of a serious film and the wit and humour of Jane Austen was almost lost in favour of all the melodrama. The best thing about the film is the many pretty English country side.