It's a caricature!

Rating: 5/10 (28 September 2005)

I understand that not every single film is intended to be a breakthrough in the history of the cinema. and that some films just want to entertain; I also appreciate that "Pride and Prejudice" is probably one of the latter. Nevertheless, if I have to judge a film, I'll judge it as a film, exactly, and not as a fun fair.
And, as a film, I reckon it shouldn't have been done. The story had to remain on the paper, written, because (besides nice postcard-wise sceneries and catwalk-wise women) nothing wanted to be shown, to take off from the paper and land on the big screen.
The film is not just intended to entertain (only): it also seems intended for people a little stupid, who need the things be emphasised in order to be understood. All the characters are caricatures: Mr Darcy was a "do not dare to speak, do not laugh, look serious and dumb"; Elizabeth Bennet was witty and clever and not a single line was down to the earth; the nice mother didn't just wish her daughters be married, but DESPERATELY needed them so; and so on.
And, yes, the film does achieve its (only) goal: making people weep... but only at the very end.
This film reminded me of "Little women" (which wan not spoilt by all this artificial comicality) and Keira Knightley reminded me of Winona Ryder and, no, I don't think they are at the same level, nor that Keira has Winona's talent.
For me, 5 out of 10. The only nice thing at the screening was the company I was with. ;-) Luckily I can't say I'd been disappointed, because I already had a (bad) prejudice of the film before the screening and, of course, I'm too proud to admit I was wrong. ;-)
Marco