An old-fashioned piece of film-making.

Rating: 9/10 (27 November 2005)

First off, unlike so many posters and reviewers, I have not read Jane Austen's "Pride & Prejudice", nor have I seen the storied BBC miniseries starring Colin Firth, who apparently was to-die-for in a wet shirt. I approached this film knowing very little about the story or characters, beyond the most important plot points, and the fact that critics generally liked it. I liked it too; it was very enjoyable. The film has an absolutely terrific cast, including Academy Award-winning screen veterans Dame Judi Dench and Brenda Blethyn, and should-be Academy Award-winning Donald Sutherland; the young cast is led by Keira Knightley, Rosamund Pike (the allegedly more-attractive older sister), and Matthew MacFayden. All are terrific, although, as a man, the constant giggling of the Bennett sisters was occasionally too much. The film is gorgeously shot, and should earn Oscar nominations for set design, cinematography, and perhaps an acting nomination or two (Knightley is first in line, with Sutherland (whose part may be too small), Blethyn, and Pike not far behind). I give this film a strong recommendation, and a 9/10.