Best film of the year 2005

Rating: 10/10 (20 December 2005)

The period piece has never been a favorite film genre for reviewers. There have been excellent ones, such as Barry Lyndon and awful ones, such as Sense And Sensibility. Perhaps the worst quality is the tendency for these types of films to just stop and ponder. Pride & Prejudice is thankfully not that type, but will instead enter the pantheon of great period films.
The film takes place in 1797. Mrs. Bennet (Brenda Blethyn) is trying to get her five daughters married off. In hopes of doing so, she brings them all to a dance where the dashing Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen) will be attending. One of the daughters, Elizabeth (Keira Knightley), falls in love with Darcy, but can't stand his arrogant personality. She tries to wow him, but is unsuccessful in many attempts. Through this tale, all the characters come to know what true love is in their own way.
The acting is absolutely fantastic. Keira Knightley has never been as impressive as she is in this role. She projects a virgin innocence to her character. Knightley brings complexity to what could've been a clichéd, one-note female character. Matthew MacFadyen as Darcy is awesome in his role as an emotionless, unlikable man. For a film in this day and age, it was a pleasure to see such an arrogant, pompous character portrayed realistically. The scene that best stands out is at a dance party where Elizabeth offers to dance with Darcy. He turns her down, saying "I don't dance if I can help it." Just the sheer tone and mannerisms of his character make him unlikable in a performance that deserves an Oscar nomination.
Brenda Blethyn, one of the greatest British actresses to grace the stage and screen, gives a magnificent and hilarious performance as Mrs. Bennet. She has such a natural ability, it doesn't seem like she is acting. There are so many layers to her character and she gives equal emotion to all her personalities and feelings. It is also great to see Donald Sutherland back on the screen, as the caring and loving father Mr. Bennet. He gives a sweet and lovable performance.
The actor who gives the best performance in this film is the great Judi Dench as Darcy's callous aunt. Though she doesn't have a big role, she has a fierce and imposing manner on screen that makes her impossible to ignore. She chews up the scenery every time she appears on screen. Her cold, emotionless stares send shivers down the audience's spine.
The writing for this movie, especially for a period piece, is quite fantastic. While it cannot be judged as an adaptation, the dialogue is not boring or overly fancy with hefty amounts of old-English colloquialisms. It has some, but overall, the dialogue is written in such a way that will satisfy audiences without confusing them. The comedic dialogue is well balanced against the dramatic side of the movie without one over powering the other. Therefore, the audience knows they are seeing a dramatic comedy, not a comedy trying to be a drama or vice-versa.
Director Joe Wright smartly keeps the film moving at a fast pace, which happens very rarely in period pieces. In most, the directors just stop and let characters talk for what seems like forever. Instead, Wright constructs every scene with integral importance to the story.
He treats all the characters, especially the males, with respect. The film could've turned out to be a one-sided woman's picture, but thankfully doesn't turn out that way.
Wright makes the film stand out from the others in the genre. His use of the zoom and hand-held camera is quite unheard of in period pieces, but he uses them sparingly and at the right moments. His use of the zoom on a character's face during a highly emotional moment is executed very well and helps heighten the emotional effect. Overall, taking on a novel that has been adapted countless times is a daunting task, and his version is very well done.
A period piece can't be reviewed if the visuals are ignored. The cinematography by Roman Osin is like a beautiful painting. The lighting and colors are so vibrant and stunning, making one wish they could live in such a time period. His color schemes capture the English countryside at its best, particularly in a scene where Elizabeth is just strolling across a hill. The costumes and sets are all gorgeous as well and also enhance the love for this film. In many period pieces, these factors tend to be the main distracters in the film, thus leading to the term "costume drama." Going into a film with negative expectations and coming out with the exact opposite is a great feeling. Those who go into Pride & Prejudice do not have to be fans of period pieces. It is recommended that everyone goes see this film. The mature romantic nature of this story will even make the most stoic person want to bawl. Come Oscar time, this film better rack up several nominations.
Final Grade: A+