Disturbing in so many ways!

Rating: 4/10 (25 December 2005)

I have been told that this is a love/hate movie: you either like it or you don't. Personally, I am completely bemused as to why critics liked it so much. I was actually looking forward to seeing it because, well i like everything Jane Austen. I also thought Keira Knightley could be promising as Elizabeth Bennet. I was disappointed to discover that this movie lacks everything i admired and loved about the story. The novel was originally titled "First Impressions" and one of the main things i loved about it was its message that people can change. In this movie Darcy simply has NO character, let alone charisma. There is no obvious change in his personality, behaviour or values...no psychological struggle to overcome his pride and arrogance to win Elizabeth's heart. One of my favourite scenes from the BBC production was Darcy's ,(Colin Firth's)first proposal to Elizabeth, (Jennifer Ehle). They both were just NOT ACTING. There was something natural about it...as though someone had smuggled a video camera back into Austen's era. As for Elizabeth...she just seemed so immature! I felt Jennifer Ehle brought a certain wittiness and class to the role, which just isn't in Knightley's performance.I couldn't help but laugh at her use of the word 'sarcasm'during Darcy's proposal, it seemed completely out of place...as were some of the costumes and mannerisms depicted in the movie...there was no trace of the importance of propriety in society and the ballroom scenes were chaotic. I absolutely HATED the statue thing....something i found completely pointless...i mean, why not use that time to develop the plot involving Lydia and Mr. Whicham? it would have contributed to making the movie more than just a love story...it is so much deeper than that! And finally i can't help but comment on the scene where Elizabeth receives the letter regarding Lydia, where she appeared to be on the verge of laughter...!!!I'm not quite sure what could be so hilarious given the situation... I simply cannot help comparing it to the BBC version, not only because i loved it so much but because i felt it captured the essence of the story a lot better. See if you've exhausted all the DVDs available to you.