Pretty, but heavily dumbed down

Rating: 4/10 (30 September 2005)

The best thing about Jane Austen's heroines is that they are flawed people who are forced to confront their failings. In 'Pride and Prejudice', Elisabeth Bennet's flaws are multiple. She has most of the brains in the family and knows it; she is opinionated and something of an intellectual snob. She can also be rather priggish and holier-than-thou. All this adds up to the 'prejudice' that blinds her to Mr Darcey's virtues. None of the Austen's Miss Bennet is found in this visually attractive but rather empty adaptation. This Elisabeth Bennet is nice throughout the story, exhibiting not a trace of imperfection at any point. Even her bookishness is almost entirely cut out, lest we find it intimidating. As for her disapproval of Mr Darcey - all too paper thin - is based entirely on hard evidence. Anyone in her shoes would feel the same way, given what she sees and hears. In the end, it turns out her information was incomplete, and so she is able to accept his advances. That's it. As simple misunderstanding is cleared up.
Austen's novel is more than a romantic comedy in regency dress. But you would never think so from a timid adaptation that tries too hard to be liked, and ends up pitifully short of grit and substance.