Best Pride and Prejudice Yet

Rating: 10/10 (22 November 2005)

To those of you who thought the movie strayedYes, it did. But, I must say that in this case, it wasn't a bad thing. When a director is able to capture the essence of a book, when he is able to lift the emotions from the page and allow them to speak on their own, something magical happens.
I am a huge fan of Jane Austen and her work, and am currently reading P&P for the 18th time. But, I must say that there is a big difference between a book and a movie. There has to be.
Personally, I found the BBC production extremely boring. True, it was faithful to the book, but so much so that it was painful at times. Honestly, Colin Firth is not my idea of what a Mr. Darcy should be. Lizzie and his character were too old in that movie, too unattached, lacking everything between them that was there from the beginning. In essence, there was nothing cinematic about that series. I would rather read the book than sit through that for five hours. Imagination can create a better scene than can ever be replaced by direction from another. That is why, I am never satisfied with movies that are based on books. In the case of the BBC series, it failed to offer something that the book didn't. For this reason, and the fact that Colin Firth ruined Mr. Darcy for me, I disliked this adaptation greatly.
Now, in the case of P&P now playing in theaters, the producers and director gave us something to watch and ponder over. It did not remain as faithful to the book as many would have liked, but that is precisely why it is worth watching. The emotion, the wit, the essential elements from the book, it's all there. It is one of my favorite movies of all time. I see it as a movie first, an adaptation of Austen's work second. It is so beautifully filmed, the scenery alone is enough to make one emotional. The music, which is arguably one of the most important components of any movie, is masterfully composed and carefully weaved into the film. The acting is magnificent.
Matthew captures and reflects a Mr. Darcy that differs from his description in the book but works. He is able to add layers to the character, making us wonder whether he is possible of loving. He silences and odd behaviors, are both charming and captivating. Watch the clip on the website of him and Lizzie arguing. His facial features in the latter part of the scene express what he cannot. The pain, the love, the sexual tension, he is able to capture this all in one moment. And the scene in the field, oh my, okay I will stop here before I give too much away.
The movie works. For 2+ hours it recreates the love story of Austen's most cherished novel in a new and refreshing light. It offers something different. A must see. Again, don't go see it or criticize it for its inability to remain 100% faithful to the book. This is both impossible in 2 hours and undesirable. Books are made for reading, movies must be cinematic.