Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
Matthew MacFadyen) and Keira Knightley, as Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett, respectively, in 'Pride and Prejudice'. - CONTRIBUTED
IT IS a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is an absolutely fabulous story. Its newest adaptation to film, directed by Joe Wright and scripted by Deborah Moggach, is a very eloquent and entertaining translation.
Pride and Prejudice is a story which explores class prejudices, marriage and femininity in Victorian England. It is also the quintessential romance. It is a romance that explores all the old clichés, the idea of love conquering class, prejudice and even pride, and it doesn't make you feel guilty about loving it.
Wright's version captures all of this beautifully. The direction is particularly telling in his use of ballroom conversations, using quick, furtive movement to highlight several of the strands of the story. The film also foregrounds the issue of marriage and its importance to women, especially those of small fortune, during the period.
SHY OF PERFECT
However, a significant part of what makes Pride and Prejudice great is its heroine and hero and this is where the film falls shy of perfect. Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy have been one of my favourite heroine/hero combinations since I was first introduced to the novel in the ninth grade.
Elizabeth, with all her passion, spirited independence (even when this merely translates to being willing to walk), loyalty, level-headedness and wit, is a particularly striking and engaging character. Mr. Darcy, with his reticence, arrogance and reserved gallantry, makes the perfect romantic hero. He has been retranslated into romance stories for ages.
His most recent incarnation was as Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones' Diary and in truth Colin Firth makes the perfect Mr. Darcy (a role he also played in the mini-series). Matthew MacFayden, who tackles the role in this case, does a more than decent job of capturing the character. He is stiff-necked enough for one to enjoy his falling in love against his wishes and Wright allows for such longing glances that one can relish it its happening.
Kiera Knightley makes a good enough Elizabeth. She has depth, range and easily captures Elizabeth's effusive nature. Where the character falters, however, is that it does not explore Elizabeth's own flaws, highlighting how she was properly misled by her own prejudices and hurt pride.
PERFECT SUPPORTING ROLES
But where the main characters fall short of perfection, the supporting roles were perfectly done. Tom Hollander makes a perfectly ridiculously pretentious Mr. Collins. Donald Sutherland is great as the absent-minded Mr. Bennett. Unfortunately, the script and the performance do not allow for how his own disappointment in his wife and flighty children pushed him to become the near absentee father he is.
Yet it is Brenda Blethyn, who takes on the role of the persistently flighty Mrs. Bennett, who gives the most brilliant performance. She is absolutely perfect in this role and constantly begs one to muffle her so she can be quiet.
So, overall, Pride and Prejudice should not disappoint fans of the novel, and those who have not read it should be perfectly content. It is funny, well directed and entertaining, without losing any of its depth.
