i am mortified

Rating: 2/10 (16 October 2005)

Allow me to preface by saying that before viewing this version of Pride and Prejudice I carried very high standards due to my love of the novel as well as the spectacular BBC mini series. Nevertheless, I could not help but be mortified at this effort of butchering a classic. Other than the cringe-worthy portrayal of Mr. Darcy by Matthew MacFadyan, the acting was actually commendable. The actors were simply victims of a script that had an incredibly fast pace and had the nerve to alter the phrasing of Austen for a 21st century audience. I was disappointed on every occasion as I awaited one of the novel's unforgettable lines. The relationship between Mr and Mrs Bennet was also a total mystery, as the lay viewer would assume they had an amiable relationship when in truth Austen portrayed them as being largely estranged. Probably my biggest disappointment was the mangling of epic scenes such as Darcy's initial proposal to Elizabeth and Lady Catherine's confrontation of Elizabeth, both of which could have been pivotal in the movie's success. For those of you who enjoyed this film, I beg you to watch the 1995 mini-series and in turn give this monstrous effort the contempt it deserves.