Skip It

Rating: 3/10 (10 May 2006)

My only positive comment about this adaptation is that I discovered the 1995 Miniseries because of it. I viewed this version before the 1995 classic and I didn't like it then, and my opinion has not improved on a second viewing. I was not impressed with Keira Knightly and Matthew MacFayden was woefully inadequate next to Colin Firth(not that I have any reasonable expectations of ANYONE filling those shoes)...and in general the cast was less than spectacular. It didn't capture the wit of Austen's classic...it also seemed to take a number of liberties with the mores and manners of the time...and while I'm not in general a stickler about details in a period piece, some of the best aspects of the story were sacrificed for a pretty scene. The passion between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy was more beautiful and powerful with a mere look, hidden under manners of the time than cheapened by overt actions the in big scene in the rain.
My suggestion is to skip this movie and watch the magnificent 1995 BBC miniseries and/or read the book.