enjoyed it but the camera work!

Rating: 7/10 (3 October 2005)

having only watched the Colin firth version for the first time two weeks ago. I didn't really have a firm opinion about it. I knew the basic story and that Colin was Mr Darcy! but after that i was an open mind. Having decided to watch the BBC version before seeing the film I became hooked to Jennifer and Colin's portrayals of Lizzie and Darcy. they were the characters. And as I am not a huge keira knightley fan I went into the cinema expecting to be disappointed. however I wasn't. the girl did well. she played Lizzie brilliantly maybe not to the exact same effect as Jennifer but enough to be pleasing for general audiences. McFadden did alright. no one is going to top Mr firth but for a relatively unknown actor to step into such a role he did good. I felt he actually wanted Lizzie. Something that was slightly lacking in the 1995 edit. this film contained passion. During his confessional scene in the rain no less, there was a second where it looked like he might actually kiss her. all-round i felt they did there best with what little time they had.the supporting characters particularly Donald Sutherland were excellent. My biggest flaw with the whole film was the camera work. It felt like a TV movie. during the scene where Lizzie asks for her fathers permission the camera continued to zoom in and out on keira. it felt like a home movie. I would have also like to have seen a scene of Mr Darcy and Lizzie as the last scene in the film even if it as just through the window over Donald Sutherland shoulder. just to let us see them together. over i enjoyed it. I well be buying it on DVD and putting it on the shelve next to Colin and Jennifer's (lets just face it)better version.