Austen's girls

Rating: 8/10 (1 March 2006)

Ah, "Pride & Prejudice." Jane Austen's timeless tale of courtship and marriage during the time bridging the late 18th and early 19th century has just found another film version for itself. Keira Knightley is Elizabeth, the second of the five Bennet sisters, and a girl possessed with sharp wit. Her mother, Mrs. Bennet (Brenda Blethlyn), is determined to see that she and her sisters - eldest Jane (Rosamund Pike); reclusive Mary (Talulah Riley); and the two youngest daughters who are too naive and frivolous for their own right, Catherine (Carey Mulligan) and Lydia (Jena Malone) - are married to wealthy gents. That's because there's not a son to become heir of the Bennet family's estate, so Mr. Bennet's (Donald Sutherland) cousin Mr. Collins (Tom Hollander), a clergyman, will inherit it upon the former's death.
The movie begins with the bachelor Mr. Bingley (Simon Woods) taking shelter in a house near the Bennets, and Mrs. Bennet is convinced that one of her daughters must be his wife. With him is the snobbish Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen), whom Elizabeth hasn't a good first impression with. Then Mr. Collins (Tom Hollander) arrives, believing that as the heir to their property, he must wed one of the Bennet girls.
Director Joe Wright proves with this endearing film that it's hard to resist one of the most famous novels of Jane Austen, and probably one of the greatest novels of all time. He has the fine touch for translating the story freely and believably, making the events as real and as natural despite it being set more than a hundred years ago. It's humored-nature is filled with warm and poignant scenes that are handled with such sensibility, and the theme of marriage is presented with such finesse that reflects that of the novelist herself.
Knightley has proved her versatility as an actress but has never been better than she is here as Elizabeth. With her captivating British looks and personality, she is charming, and she fits her character's personality well. There's a genuine truth about her that makes her likable and even the most cynical members of the audience should easily connect to her. In fact, I am not surprised with her nomination for an Oscar for her performance here, although with this year's competition I don't think she's going to win it (I'm guessing Reese Witherspoon will).
As Mr. Darcy, MacFayden gets to develop his character during the progression of the film and and does it nicely. The supporting cast turns in noteworthy performances too, particularly Pike, Sutherland, Blethlyn, Hollander, Woods, and Malone. I must also mention Judi Dench, who is also nominated this year by the Academy for Best Actress for her performance in "Mrs. Henderson Presents" but that's another film and I haven't watched it yet. She convincingly brings the pride and domineering side to Lady Catherine De Bourgh, aunt of Mr. Darcy.
"Pride & Prejudice" is a delightful movie that should satisfy fans of the novel. Not only does it contain a great performance by Knightley, it's a well-crafted reincarnation of a piece of literature through the eyes of its director.