Pros: I can't believe this film is eighteen years old. Okay, rant over. I find the movie better than the mini series (save for Mr. Darcy). Keira Knightley never disappoints in a costume drama and she embodies the incomparable Lizzie Bennet. She does have excellent support. Sure, the plot is complicated and yes, at the end of the day, rather trivial, but at the same time, it is vital and relevant today. Women needed to marry in order to secure a future, and while money was taken into consideration, true feelings, love and personality are also important. Here, Lizzie falls in love with Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFayden) and he falls in love with her despite it being against his better judgment, largely because her mother (Brenda Blethyn) is a pill but then he grovels and fixes his mistakes (though one wasn't really his mistake) and she comes around, even though he still probably isn't totally worthy of her. Still, everyone ends up happy, at least for now, as there is no way the Wickhams (Jena Malone and Rupert Friend) will remain so, but Jane (Rosamund Pike) and Lizzie are, so I'm happy.
Cons: Despite his solid performance, MacFayden just isn't as hot as the miniseries's Colin Firth. And yes, there are a lot of characters, probably too many for a two hour film, though the script is strong and does a good job with all of them, giving the vast majority of them solid personalities, save poor Charlotte Lucas (Claudie Blakely). She is the spinster in the film and in her personality.
Recommend: Yes
Grade: B+
Side Notes:
-The supporting cast is brilliant, including Carey Mulligan, Donald Sutherland, Simon Woods, Kelly Reilly, Talulah Riley, Penelope Wilton and Judi Dench.
-I did like some of the details the film included such as how the girls didn't have a governess, Mr. Bennet's actual opinion of Lydia, and all the animals around.
-The scene after Lizzie refuses Mr. Collins's (Tom Hollander's) proposal remains one of the best in the film.
-The time period over which the film occurs remains unclear.
-I do hope the characters have found their happiness, as the Bennet sisters deserve it.
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