A stunning film, even if you only read the book in school.

Rating: 7/10 (19 January 2006)

I was fortunate enough to attend a gala screening of this film at the British Film Festival here in Israel tonight. I don't generally watch period films of this kind and I thought it would be interesting to try something different for a change, Keira Knighley's presence notwithstanding of course! I have heard many disgruntled fans of Jane Austen's book complain that this film did not do it justice or that it didn't measure up to the 1995 mini series with Colin Firth. If so, I suggest you either read the book again or watch the mini series again because when something is made into a film, it is what it is, otherwise you get the blandness of what was the first Harry Potter. A direct translation. The film is to be shortened and altered to fit whatever vision the writer or director may have, otherwise it is simply what has gone before and what would be the point?
Anyway, to the film. I must admit, though I was familiar with the story, modern times have caused me to look at it differently now, drawing more comparisons with Bridget Jones than it's former incarnations or it's source text. I apologise if that seems sacrilegious. However, as a non fan of this genre, I was pleasantly surprised. The visuals are beautifully artistic, the acting superb (and these lines are not easy to give over as naturally and convincingly as they are here) and the script is sharp. I was drawn yet again into this story, which has never looked so rich in my opinion and despite a few scenes that could have been trimmed down for meandering a little, it moved at an acceptable pace. Knightley embodies pure Jane Austen strength while keeping it believable for the period, giving a solid performance and a few Americans turn up with nicely polished accents to add a little spice to the cast. Donald Sutherland for example, in a gentle turn as Mr. Bennett and Jena Malone from Donnie Darko as Lydia. The always wonderful Judi Dench (Lady Catherine) turns up giving us one of the most powerful dialogue scenes of the film, is the icing on the cake. Rosamunde Pike is beautiful and she underplays her character, without bursting into over the top fits of tears and whining as would have been possible. Having said that, she still has too little to do.
Of course, Matthew Macfadyen is not Colin Firth and I'm sure he apologises to everyone for committing this hideous crime, however, he does play Mr Darcy and not Colin Firth, so I assume he can be forgiven. Tom Hollander (I know him as Daniel of Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Lawrence) is toe curlingly "ridiculous" as Elizabeth puts it, in his role as Mr. Collins.
I shouldn't think English Lit students would do necessarily well to ditch the book in favour of the film, but I do think this film is a good representation of it's source material and deserves credit where credit is due. Acting, Cinematography and Austen.