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On DVD: “Pride and Prejudice.” Incredibly charming
I hope this doesn’t make me all girly and stuff, but I very much like the movies they’ve made from Jane Austen novels. “Emma” was a lot of fun a few years back with Gwyneth Paltrow, and I confess that I get all teary at the end of “Sense and Sensibility” when Hugh Grant finally realizes his mistake and tells Emma Thompson he’s available. Sniff.
The newest of these sumptuous period dramas is “Pride and Prejudice,” starring the incandescent Kiera Knightley as the headstrong daughter in a family of five girls whose nervous mom is doing her best to get them all well-married and taken care of.
It’s a completely charming movie, as these usually are. Knightley is smashing — a true star who reminds me of Audrey Hepburn, and whose work here makes her absolutely magnetic. It’s easy to see why a female star would jump at these films — with women’s roles in short supply, these are well written, with characters who are clever, conflicted and distractingly attractive.
Is there a happy ending? Well, what do you think? The fun is watching from our modern perspective and seeing a world that reminds us of our own, but where manners, customs and traditions have everyone so gut-bound that they can’t say what is in their heart and on their mind, often to disastrous result. Or, fortunatley, perhaps only near-disastrous.
Check this one out and have an enjoyable evening at home.
Comments
By Kei
August 16, 2006 3:46 PM | Link to this
Well, if it’s a “loose adaptation,” then I’m more than willing to give it a view, seeing as I couldn’t read through the book or sit through the old movie. Not from lack of wanting to study great literature, but the language was far too stuffy for me to follow properly. :/By Sir Critic
August 16, 2006 3:33 PM | Link to this
Absolutely agreed, Ron. Knightely is luminous in the movie and fully deserved her Oscar nom, and this is an uncommonly lively filming of period pieces, which can be like watching pretty paint dry. I have to take issue with Hollee’s complaints however — it seemed to me the script was true to the ESSENCE of Austen if not always the letter, and the eseesnce is always more important. Besides, Emma Thompson, who won an Oscar for adapting “Sense,” also did an uncredited polish on this “P&P.” It’s why she’s thanked in the credits.By Liz
August 16, 2006 3:18 PM | Link to this
I haven’t seen the Keira Knightly version of P&P yet, but I’m willing to bet that it isn’t quite as good as the fabulous 1996 BBC version with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, who in my mind, made the perfect Lizzie. It’s available at many video stores and at Amazon - check it out. Or even better, read the book!By Hollee Chadwick
August 16, 2006 2:49 PM | Link to this
I agree, the movie was beautiful, however, it did not hold true to Austen’s novel. There was too much creative license taken by the screenwriter and I feel it does a dis-service to those who have not had the pleasure of reading an Austen novel over and over again. On the whole, yes, a lovely movie. A loose adaptation at best.