Why I Think Jane Would Have Approved

Rating: 10/10 (30 November 2005)

It is my sincere wish that Jane Austen readers and non-readers not miss a big screen viewing of Joe Wright's "Pride & Prejudice" because they let themselves be influenced by negative comments from the Ellen Jamesian sect of the Jane Austen society. Particularly odious are those presumptuous enough to declare that Austen herself would consider the film a disservice. Attempting to discourage potential viewers in this manner reveals not just a staggering conceit, but an utter cluelessness about how to read a film and about the power of a visual medium.
This film adaptation of Austen's classic is the first one to fully capture its essence within the economical and efficient package of a two-hour feature film. And it does so in a technically proficient way (cinematography-production design-editing); with perfect physical casting, excellent directing and scene staging, and fine performances from the entire ensemble. In isolation it is simply the best film ever made, but because it is not an original screenplay the critics have downgraded it a bit from A plus to A minus (their acknowledgment of the debt it owns to Austen).
Jane Austen once said, "an artist cannot do anything slovenly". Joe Wright's film is not perfect but it is the least slovenly in cinema history. I was reminded of this by the film's treatment of Georgiana, Darcy's sister. Georgiana was a minor but extremely important character in the book. Elizabeth's point of view observations of Darcy's tender treatment of his shy little sister is how Austen shows Elizabeth's first realization that Darcy is worthy of her love. Initially I was disappointed that Georgiana only has two brief appearances in the film, but on reflection I realized that the scenes had been staged and scripted so well that they said everything needed about the relationship dynamics of the three characters.
The film successfully brings Austen's ironic (insert comic here) observations of character and manners to the screen. As the title proclaims, this story has a double theme, the pride of the aristocrat prejudicing the middle class heroine against him. But as Elizabeth explains to her father in my favorite scene, she and Darcy are the flip sides of each other as her pride has long blinded her to Darcy's efforts to overcome the prejudice of his class to hers.
The film also captures the more critical macro element of Austen's novel, the idea of a generous humanness that can transcend the motivations of social class. Society is imperfect and while the social order encourages foolish prides and mean prejudices, it also enables kindness, affection, and courage. In the film's movement of events there is a modulation between vices and virtues in which the latter more than mitigates the former. This was Jane Austen's primary "value" and what I think would have formed the basis of her judgment and ultimate approval of the film.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.