Sunday, August 5, 2007

Pride & Prejudice (2005) {Movie Review}



A delightful movie indeed. One of the few "romantic" movies I can actually and enjoy without feeling sick (but honestly, I'd rather read the book or watch one of the longer versions!). Those who characterize Pride and Prejudice as purely romantic are missing the larger point of the work, which admittedly does not translate as well as I would like into this version of the movie.

Pride and Prejudice is not a novel about the love lives of the Bennett girls. Pride and Prejudice is a story about the pride and prejudice of two people, and how that plays out in the world. The characterization of Jane Austen's characters is fascinating, though, once more, rather rushed in this version. For those who "do not have time" to watch one of the 5 hour versions, and are too lazy to pick up the book to read will find the gist of the plot in this movie. And it is done rather well, all things considered.

I think the casting is excellent ... aside from Kiera Knightly who really just rubs me the wrong way as Lizzie. Just realize that if you do not supplement this version with the longer one, or with the book, you are missing out on so much of what Austen filled her book with: character analysis and real people, not a sappy romance.



1.5 out of 5 stars.

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2 comments:

Hope said...

Sooo true! I love the book, I think I've read it four times now. I still haven't seen the 5 hour version, only because I seriously no longer have time to watch 5 hour movies. But I would definitely agree with your analysis of the shorter one.

Anonymous said...

After seeing the film I couldn't wait to read the book and I wasn't disappointed! I love the book and I think this film adaption does it justice although as you say it is a bit short. I recently bought the 4 hour 2006 BBC adaption of Jane Eyre and I would really recommend it. I haven't seen the 5 hour version of pride and prejudice but hopefully i will soon.