I chide the movie makers for their Pride and Presumption...

Rating: 1/10 (12 January 2007)

Why this adaptation of 'Pride and Prejudice' fails in its attempt to accurately portray Jane Austen's beloved novel.
The most famous of Jane Austen's works, 'Pride and Prejudice,' was first published in 1813 and still remains a favorite among many with a love for good literature and well written romance. Ever since movies become popular, companies have tried to produce films that bring Austen's, (and other famous authors') books to life. We enjoy seeing character burst forth from black and white pages into vivid, realistic people thanks to actors and actresses that portray them. Yet, while viewing Focus Feature's 2005 adaptation of 'Pride and Prejudice," I have come to the conclusion that were Jane Austen alive today, she -and other respectable women of the 19th century- would be horrified at the atrocious misrepresentation of Austen's characters.
The most obvious change is that of the book's heroine, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bennet. The first difference that I noticed was her lack of respect for authority. This is first apparent after her refusal of Mr. Collins, when she angrily tells her parents, "I won't marry him, you cannot make me!" and runs out of the house. Also, in the conversation that takes place between Elizabeth and Colonel Fitzwilliam during a Sunday morning sermon, and after wards, when her mother asks about Lady Catherine de Bourge, Elizabeth screams, "For once in you're life, leave me alone!" Jane Austen never allows Elizabeth to display such a lack of respect and self-control in the novel. The movie also fails to represent Lizzie's complete trust and affection for her sister, Jane. She denies even hearing of Mr. Bingley during her stay with the newlywed Collins, and does not tell Jane of Darcy's proposal. In Austen's book, the two sisters always confided in each other.
The changes made in Mr. Darcy's character are equally disturbing. He appears so emotionless and shows almost no change in expression when he speaks that one wonders if he feels anything at all. Jane Austen's Darcy was undoubtedly stern and proud, but the dull manner in which Matthew McFayden expresses -or fails to express- himself is very tiresome, indeed. Furthermore, in Austen's novel Mrs. Bennet is presented as motherly, and often loud and embarrassing; making inappropriate remarks at all the wrong times. In the movie, she goes beyond humiliating and well into vulgar as she dangles her legs off a table she's sitting on during the ball, and sloshes her dessert on an unsuspecting young man.
The whole film is filled with frustrating errors. You're extremely fortunate if you can determine which girl is Lydia and which is Kitty before the dreadful elopement with Mr. Wickham. Everyone listens to conversations behind doors and constantly talk over one another. Mr. Bennet always appears to be half drunk, Lizzie giggles after almost every sentence no matter the gravity of the situation which greatly downplays the drama, Lady Catherine arrives at the Bennet's to admonish Elizabeth in the middle of the night when all civil folk are asleep, and Kitty and Lydia wear pig-tails to a ball. The dialogue is so rushed that it leaves you with a feeling of something missing. If you can even catch what the characters said in the first place. If the movie makers were so short on time, they should have foregone the nauseating scene with Mr. Darcy's collection of naked statues which was a completely unnecessary addition.
Even in the wardrobe department, the movie went wrong. Mr. Darcy proposes for the second and last time to Elizabeth while they are both in their bed clothes. An idea which would have been scandalous to anyone living in Jane Austen's time period. Caroline Bingley is not even properly dressed at the Netherfield ball. She is shown in a plain, sleeveless gown with very thin straps in a time when lace was all the rage and long sleeves the newest fashion in London. Miss Bingley with her love of pomp and display of social status would never have worm a gown such as the one she wears in the movie. In the film, Caroline Bingley was about 200 years ahead of herself in fashion.
I could continue to describe the atrocities of the movie until there was enough to fill a book, but I will end my comparison by saying, that Focus Features does no credit to Jane Austen's wonderful romance in their ridiculous movie.