This is a wretched adaptation of a wonderful book.

Rating: 1/10 (16 April 2006)

One evening I met up with a few people to see the new Pride and Prejudice
I am glad I went with good company because the movie was awful. While the scenery was nice the costumes were, for the most part, atrocious. Since when would Caroline Bingley wear a completely sleeveless, 1990's Jessica McClintock dress to host a ball? And speaking of the Bingleys, the fact that both sisters are not included in the film makes it less funny. Charles Bingley, while played by an adorable actor, is portrayed as downright stupid. I adore Donald Sutherland, and i dare say would have loved him in the film, but his Mr Bennet is reduced to a simpering, weepy man who does things a farm hand would have done, not a gentleman. And speaking of farms, since when are the Bennets so destitute as to have no maids to bring in the laundry when it begins to rain? Mrs Bennet may be silly and stupid ( and in this film she is barely funny) but she would never let her house become such a wreck. Charlotte Lucas lost every bit of sense she had and was turned into a desperate, skittish creatures that screams for Lizzy not to judge her. There is no explanation as to why she marries Mr Collins. Mr Collins is the best part of the movie, a fine performance. He made me laugh several times. Kiera Knighley as Lizzie was abominable. She was weepy, showed very little spirit and generally looked like a wishy washy girl who had no idea what she wanted or stood for. She also couldn't seem to keep her nightgown on. Mr Darcy was portrayed as nothing more than shy, not at all the proud and judgmental man he starts out to be. You do not see a change in him, at all. No lessons learned on his part. It appears that Lizzie is just a whiny girl who is judging him for being so rich. Jane Bennet was lovely and I quite liked this portrayal, but still, you didn't get the true sense of the character, due to a time constraint, i am sure. Now, let's get to the major etiquette flaws that bothered me. First off, when Darcy delivers his letter to Lizzie, it is around 3 am at the Collins home and she is in her nightgown! ????? He would have been shot on sight or forced to marry her. Secondly, Lady Catherine would never ever show up at 2am to bless out Lizzie for thinking she was going to marry her nephew... Never. Full stop. And if she did Mr Bennet would never offer her tea, he would have made her leave after making great sport of her bad manners and folly. It was just a massive jumble of horrible mistakes and cheesy clichés... I, in short, hated it....