Worth a watch

Rating: 6/10 (19 July 2015)

This version of the classic novel was quickly panned by avid fans of Jane Austen, who seem to have forgotten that producers had two hours to accomplish what others had full miniseries to do, and that Hollywood needs to appeal to a much broader audience. To that end, I think the necessary liberties taken with the plot are appropriately managed. We do lose some of the more fun points of the novel, such as Elizabeth's relationship with her father, her relationship with Charlotte (who is admirably cast) and Elizabeth's embarrassment at her musical abilities (or lack thereof), in contrast with Mary's.
The tone of this movie is what stands out, with peaceful classical piano music playing throughout. Beautiful period costumes enhance the color scheme of the excellent landscape and cinematography. The cast was overall well selected and their character interpretations, if unconventional in some cases, are allowable- with the exception of Darcy, but we'll get to him in a minute.
What is less forgivable is the complete absence of contemporary etiquette, which is so prominent in Austin's novels and intended to play a central role in the plot of this one. The setting of the movie would be more believable as colonial America rather than regency England, with the first assembly where the girls meet Mr. Bingley closely resembling a country barn dance. With the exception of Jane, the Bennet females run around the entire movie with their hair flying all over the place. Mrs. Bennet and Elizabeth at least attempt conventional buns, which are consistently furnished with 1997-esque fly aways. Kitty and Lydia wear their hair down and completely undressed for the entire movie- totally inappropriate for young women who are out in society and attending sophisticated functions. Throughout the movie, the Bennet sisters can be seen sitting on the floor, leaving the house haphazardly bonneted, intermittently jumping, giggling, spinning, and being completely inattentive to anything resembling posture or poise. No wonder the Bingleys were horrified by them. That the Bennets have a farm is established by Austen. "'The horses cannot be spared, they are wanted on the farm, are they not Mr Bennett?' 'They are wanted more often than I can get them.'" So the Bennets have a farm; what is not clear in the movie is why they don't have proper pens for their animals. The chickens are running around all over the front yard so that guests are tripping over them as they try to get to the door, and the pigs for some reason have taken up residence in the house proper. There are also a number of barking, rambunctious dogs that add to the domestic chaos, in addition to a strange lack of any type of servant. The most shocking breach of etiquette comes when Lady Catherine de Burgh makes her unannounced visit to confront Elizabeth about her suspected engagement to Darcy. For some reason, in this movie, this visit takes place late at night after the Bennets have gone to bed. Mr. Bennet answers the door in his underwear with the rest of the family standing behind him in their nightgowns. Jane Austen is rolling over in her grave. Adding insult to injury, Elizabeth, left unable to sleep after their meeting, decides to venture out into the yard in her nightgown at daybreak where she randomly meets Darcy, who has no hat, no overcoat, no horse or carriage, and no explanation as to how he got there or how long he has been there. Darcy declares his love and the two start pawing at each other. The whole thing is totally bizarre.
My biggest complaint with this movie is with the portrayal of Darcy. He resembles "Droopy the Dog" from the classic cartoon in everything from hairstyle to tone of voice to character. He is completely unlovable from start to finish, with nothing about him suggesting any type of regalia, dignity, or gentility. He is so like an awkward adolescent boy that I was more invested in Elizabeth getting together with Mr. Collins than with this portrayal of Darcy- and there was absolutely no chemistry between him and Keira Knightley. Had this relationship been more invested, the other sins of the movie could more easily have been forgiven. As it is, it's not worth a second viewing.