So glad I saw this 2005 version - director Wright with Moggach's screenplay, pairing of Knightley and MacFadyen as Lizzie and Darcy, is charming and endearing

Rating: 8/10 (23 May 2006)

A&E's 1995 mini series with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth will still be my favorite version of Austen's beloved novel, with adaptation by the prolific writer Andrew Davies and direction by Simon Langton. But this feature debut from director Joe Wright, with Deborah Moggach's screenplay of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" is very much appealing and enjoyable in its own right. The production is superb. The cinematography by Roman Oshin certainly enchants - such facility with the use of natural lighting and optimizing the sun as an 'accomplice' to the visual beauty delivered. We are truly transported, particularly at the beginning and ending 'sun burst' scenes.
The flowing music by Dario Marianelli, with just the right tempo and piano notes, provides the accompanying rhythm to the story progression. As we see people gathered for dancing at the assembly hall, we'd want to join in and dance along as well. The settings have such a down to earth tone and inviting warmth, especially being at the dining table or in the drawing room of the Bennet's. Brenda Blethyn is ever so lively and blithely as the matron of the family with five daughters. Donald Sutherland's Mr. Bennet underplayed is aptly low-key in just the right way. The scenes between him and Knightley were so well matched - the fatherly love for his favorite daughter glows as he sits quietly in that decision-making library. When we're outside, nature is in touch and there's constant birds chirping that we can hear.
Keira Knightley, since first saw her in "Bend It Like Beckham" 2002 and thoroughly enjoyed "Pirates of the Caribbean" with her opposite Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp, is here with Matthew MacFadyen (who doesn't look 11 years senior to Knightley at all), and what a romantic pair they are. Rosamund Pike is sisterly Jane the eldest; talented Jena Malone is Lydia, the eloping one. Tom Hollander's portrayal of Mr. Collins is rather marvelously delivered - he gave it more of a human touch and comes across not at all 'odious'. Of course, Dame Judi Dench flawlessly delivered Lady Catherine De Bourg. The whole production is quite bubbly and ever effervescent with giggles and laughter. Every scene was thoughtfully choreographed, well demonstrated by the romantic arguing rainy scene of Lizzie and Darcy. (How cool is that.)
I can see this version multiple times. It's a perfectly endearing film. Perhaps the fact that I haven't seen MacFadyen in any other film before helps. (Now I can catch up and see him in "Spooks" / "MI-5" British TV series.)