Congratulations , Joe Wright et al

Rating: 9/10 (31 January 2006)

You know, I've read Pride and Prejudice countless times, I remember laughing at Mr Collins when I was eight years old. I love and understand Jane Austen and no, I don't mix her up with the Brontes.
I'll debate with any Austenite - this was a great movie, even when you compare it to the six hour BBC adaptation which I own and love. Okay - Bingley shouldn't have been in Jane's bedchamber and what was Lady Catherine doing at Longbourne that late at night? Nevertheless, Jane Austen is considered a great author not because of her faithful documentation of manners, people. It's because of her astonishing and insightful mapping of the human heart. That's why we are privilege to read her still today and that's why any adaptation has got to reflect that. I love the BBC adaptation as much as anyone else, TRUST ME, but Matthew McConnaghy got to the reason people love Darcy instinctively.. because he is a good, decent vulnerable man put too early in a place of authority and he's in the thrall of killer emotions for a woman he's not sure about. And he eventually acts with decency and integrity.Good God, his every move shows this! This movie is all about the emotion behind the manners, and does exceedingly well in conveying that, in the direction, cinematography, acting. Any other consideration is secondary. Get off your high horses and understand why people actually make movies.Go back and look again.