This is, quite simply, a great movie

Rating: 9/10 (18 September 2007)

I want to stand up for this version of Pride and Prejudice. What's with all the negative comments I've been reading? This is really an excellent film, and as a fervent Austen fan I'm happy to say I was really impressed with the translation from page to screen, as was my Mum, with whom I went to see the film. We had both seen and loved the 1995 mini-series (I own it, in fact), but we still enjoyed this very much and some parts we actually preferred to the TV version. I have lost count of how many times I have read Pride and Prejudice since I first picked it up at the age of about 13, and it is one of my all- time favourite novels, so I'm quite a strict critic when it comes to adaptations (I tend to be, anyway - my sister has to practically gag me if we go to see an adaptation of a book I like, to stop me pointing out faults).
Matthew Macfadyen is really a great Darcy. I would have liked him to get more screen time, because I thought he really captured the character as I had imagined him. He is also rather easy on the eye! He really convincingly conveyed Darcy's internal struggle over his feelings for Lizzy, and also the two sides of Darcy's character - the supercilious, proud side, and the more humorous and affectionate side he showed in the Pemberley scenes.
Keira Knightley was excellent as Lizzy. I always had a slight problem with Jennifer Ehle as Lizzy - she is a great actress, but I felt that in looks she overshadowed Jane - which was the wrong way round! Keira, whilst being very attractive, does not appear quite as overtly stunning, and you can see why Jane and not Lizzy is considered the beauty of the family. Elizabeth is an emotional and complex character and Keira really pulled it off.
The interaction between Elizabeth and Darcy is superbly scripted and very well handled by the two leads. There was physical tension between them as well as emotional, especially when they were dancing and after Darcy's first proposal. If you look in the special features on the DVD there is a section on 19th Century courtship which discusses the importance of dancing as the only physical contact between men and women in this period, and the choreography in the movie really shows this. I think it was very wise of the screenwriters to end the film without any kissing between either of the two engaged couples. This is exactly how courtship would have worked in this period, so it adds to the authenticity of the setting.
The rest of the casting was also very good. Tom Hollander was perfect as Mr Collins, Judi Dench could play Lady Catherine with her eyes closed if she so chose, and Simon Woods brought a perfect balance of eagerness, sweetness and humour to Bingley. The other Bennets were also very well cast - I had reservations about Donald Sutherland, but he was excellent, and Brenda Blethyn absolutely nailed Mrs Bennet.
For a first time director, Joe Wright has handled this difficult project with amazing skill. The cinematography and soundtrack are excellent and the costumes are wonderful.
The adaptation of books to screen will always be controversial. Everyone has their own ideas about how people should look, dress and behave, and no film crew will ever be able to please every fan completely. However, with this film, they've done a very good job of bringing Austen's own favourite of her works to the screen, and for that, I for one applaud them.