Female interplay, dialog and cinematography exceptionally good

Rating: 10/10 (21 October 2005)

Mathew McFadyen, ex spook, kept reminding me that this might be an MI5 production.
All the important elements were there. Acting was superb. Much thought has gone into the flawless script. The cinematography is dragged into the 21st century. Keira Knightly blooms as an English rose .. and 'Jane' is prettier ..
The settings are beautiful and rustic. One can see the nearness that poverty has to Bennet lives. The five daughters and no governess almost explaining the thoughtless self absorption of the mother.
For me, the only thing that jars is the feeling that a gang of Spooks may be on hand to drag Wickham away ..
The cinematic aspects that are modernised are the fades and visual segways. On occasion a character might be introduced with the sun behind them .. maintaining ambiguity for a short time. Some of the fades make the scenes appear like old photo images .. and the countryside is achingly beautiful.
Knightly's hair looks dirty. The strength of this version lies in inflating the female interplay beyond A&E's, yet maintaining balance. One can see that the long suffering father loves the mother, although he endures her pettiness. His quips are not threats. The mother's pettiness is softened by his love and the forgiveness of Elizabeth who accepts her mother and respects her despite the shortcomings.