What a work!

Rating: 8/10 (8 October 2005)

of art! I had barely seen a preview of Pride & Prejudice, and so when the opportunity came to see a sneak preview, I could not let it pass me by.
Coming into this film, I had admired Keira Knightley's work in Bend It Like Beckham, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Love Actually, and was interested in seeing her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennett. I was not disappointed. It baffles me that this actress is only twenty; and then, when I see that she played a Padme decoy (queen decoy) on Phantom Menace, I said, "Aha! The lower half of that face does resemble Portman!" Back to the film...
I wondered how the producers/director/writer would splice the novel into two hours, but they did so earnestly, thoughtfully, and with the chuckle of an inside joke.
The costumes, scenery, and settings seem to echo a portrait more fitting than the mini- series. It felt more authentic to me as the story unfolded. The actors seem to all enjoy playing their parts: it was comical and romantic, never overly dramatic. I liked the change of where certain conversations took place. Sometimes, because of time, the writer had to transition one storyline quickly to another.
A friend said, as she left the theatre, "This is just what I needed tonight." And I hope you get it, too, when you watch the film.