Lively start but ultimately disappointing

Rating: 7/10 (15 September 2005)

I prepared for this film by watching again the 1995 BBC version - perhaps a mistake. Still when the film started I was heartened by the opening scenes of the Bennett home and family. The assembly and Netherfield ball were terrific. But I gradually found myself getting bored. Plot development faltered, there was nil on-screen chemistry between Knightly and McFadden, the Lydia/Wickham subplot came and went with only one sentence to explain its significance to the rest of the girls' futures. The costumes and settings began to jar and instead of just enjoying the film I kept wondering about it's accuracy - did Mr Bennett really keep farm animals? Would he really have hugged Mary after the piano incident in quite such a modern-Dad sort of way?.
Knightly looks good, too good, but I just couldn't see her as Lizzie, and several times her voice tone and inflection exactly mirrored Ehle's. McFadden is not convincing. The music is excellent, the humming of the servant girl a lovely touch. The scenery and settings are beautiful, but again they didn't seem quite right for Austen. Much of the dialogue is dull. I just couldn't settle into this film.