Have you ever met an insufferable man at a ball, vowed never to see him again if you could help it, and a year later, you were swapping vows at the altar? Me neither, but it happens more often than you think. Director Joe Wright’s Pride and Prejudice, an adaptation of the famous Jane Austen novel, centres around Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley), who is a young woman navigating Regency-period England. Her unexpected romance with Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) faces obstacles: their own previously-unexamined faults. Through a tumultuous journey, they may be able to create something for which it is worth changing.
As well as an incredible tale of romance, Pride and Prejudice is an exploration of gender
and class. Mrs. Bennet (Brenda Blethyn) serves as a constant reminder that a woman’s security was dependent on having a husband, an idea that drives the actions of the characters – all except Elizabeth. Elizabeth is more concerned with her four sisters, and understandably so, as they are often getting in sticky situations.
For instance, Jane (Rosamund Pike) suffers from an almost- marriage with Mr. Bingley (Simon Woods), whose cluelessness is offset by his copious quantities of cash. Meanwhile, Lydia (Jena Malone) and Kitty (Carey Mulligan) obsess over officers of a visiting militia regiment in their neighbourhood. Mary (Talulah Riley) is relatively stable, except at balls. Also, their awkward cousin comes to stay in search of a wife amongst the four. That was acceptable back then, apparently.
Which is better: the book or the film? This age-old question proves difficult to answer, as both mediums portray Austen’s story beautifully, just in different ways. Although the film largely stays true to the novel, a direct copy of the book wouldn’t have captured the light and shade of the story. Not to mention that it’d be way too long.
Wright makes subtle alterations that help to convey the story’s essence through film, supported by a beautiful score by Dario Marianelli. One addition to the movie that has caught the attention of fans is Mr. Darcy’s ‘hand flex’ after he helps Elizabeth into a carriage. This one-second, close-up shot wordlessly hints at his feelings for her and sets up the later development of their relationship.
Later, when Elizabeth visits Mr. Darcy’s estate, she comes across a sculpture of Mr. Darcy, rather than the portrait of him in the novel. This small change struck me as an inspired choice. The fact that it is a sculpture makes it seem like he is really before her, and that she is finally seeing him with brand new eyes – in all three dimensions!
Overall, Wright’s Pride and Prejudice is an enjoyable experience and an accurate adaptation of Austen’s novel. I recommend this film to anyone who is a fan of dramatic confessions in the rain, dance scenes interspersed with slightly awkward dialogue, and unprecedented levels of yearning. Most importantly, the film reminds us to keep an open mind at parties: you never know what could happen in a year!
4/5
Image Credits – The MovieDB
