Wright’s take on Austen’s hilarious novel is charming, witty and elegant.
Set in the Regency Era, it portrays the lives of the Bennet daughters, principally the vivacious Elizabeth who disregards the loveless economic marriages of her time.
Knightley thrives as bold spirited Lizzie, Pike delivers as graceful Jane, Blethyn delights as frivolous Mrs Bennet and Macfadyen’s haughty and stoic presence dominates the screen.
With a mellifluous score, classic art design and archetypical costumes, Pride and Prejudice is a beautiful revision.
An enchantingly satirical illustration of the class divide of the 1800s, P&P is a pleasing contribution to the Period genre.
Jo Bradley.
Scribbles of Stage and Screen 
I enjoyed the review. It reminded me that the best satire is funny. I think Tom Hollander deserves a mention. He won several awards for his role.
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I do love him in this. I am watching the mini-series and I find the other Mr Collins too creepy whereas Hollander has excellent comic timing. As you can see, I simply didn’t have the words to acknowledge this in my 100 word review.
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I loved this version of P&P, though some think the miniseries with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle in the mid-90’s is the definitive version. There’s room in my heart for both!
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I am 1/3 way through the mini-series and plan to post a comparative in a few weeks stating what I think of the casting, script, cinematography etc in comparison to each other. Stay tuned 🙂
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I saw the mini-series first and after that the movie seems like a unnecessary remake. Bigger stars, bigger production values but lacking some of the charm. However I do enjoy the film, the story is told more concise, it is on a bigger canvas and some of the performances in the film are more dialled down and therefore more believable. As you mentioned Jo, Mr Collins improves and I think Donald Sutherland brought some gravitas. I even like to mock Colin Firth in his iconic turn for just staring intensely a lot but hey it works. My heart belongs to Jennifer Ehle and the BBC mini-series though.
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Just on the first two episodes of the mini-series:
I think Mr Collins is much better and less creepy in the movie. So far the mini-series is making him quite repulsive when, in the novel, his worst characteristic is his forthright and righteous manner.
I think Blethyn is a more convincing, toned-down Mrs Bennet, as you mentioned.
However, I am really enjoying the mini-series’ Mr Bennet- I think he has nailed the more subversive and condescending aspects of his personality.
I do think that the mini-series’ Elizabeth is excellent so far, and more intellectually sassy than Knightley. Also- Colin Firth seems to be a more faithful Darcy although his demeanor can be quite pompous (as you would expect!).
Thanks for commenting!
Jo
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I really enjoyed this film. My only beef was that Macfadyen didn’t quite cut it for me as a romantic lead. Not sure why really, maybe just not enough onscreen charisma? Still a good movie though. I actually couldn’t make it through any Jane Austen novel I’ve tried, but I liked a good few movie/TV adaptations based on her work.
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I agree that Macfayden isn’t as ‘Darcy’ as Firth, however Mr Darcy isn’t a character that necessarily shines with onscreen charisma.
As much as I would love to read them all, it took me studying P&P in school to finally read it-So I guess I needed that motivation to get started! The BBC adaption is good in that respect because the script often directly quotes the book, which I like- something the film didn’t do.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts-
Jo
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I love this interpretation of the story, very witty and beautifully acted.
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