>>REVIEW
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
STARRING Keira Knightley, Matthew MacFadyen and Donald Sutherland
DIRECTED BY Joe Wright
Opens Friday, November 18
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Although born to theatrical parents and with an art school degree to his credit, director Joe Wright had only two feature-length works to his name prior to this adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Working with a text as rich and intricate as Jane Austen’s novel is daunting in itself, but following in the shadow of the exemplary BBC production of the same work is perhaps even more frightening. Somewhat surprisingly, Wright has created a lovely and entertaining version of the classic love story.
Edited judiciously by Wright and screenplay writer Deborah Moggach, Austen’s tale of the unusual courtship of Lizzie Bennett by Mr. Darcy loses little in the two hours, with elaborate balls and everyday life both given plenty of screen time. Knightley is near perfect as the forthright and vivacious Lizzie, moving fluidly from giggling sister to headstrong young woman as the scene requires.
Although newcomer Matthew MacFadyen tends to play Darcy as more sulky than troubled and mysterious, Lizzie’s love for him will come as no surprise to any female viewer who has ever fallen for a pouty indie rock guy. That the two never kiss is a little dispassionate, however, some will enjoy how Wright forgoes the typical lip-lock-set-to-swell-of-violins finale that so often concludes romantic films.
While Knightley and MacFadyen are Pride and Prejudice’s central figures, its soul lies in the supporting cast. Brenda Blethyn brings depth to the role of Lizzie’s mother, Mrs. Bennett, a woman whose need to see her daughters married and cared for often leads her to behave rather brashly. Counteracting his wife’s desperation, Mr. Bennett – played with palpable gentleness and wisdom by Donald Sutherland – wisely allows Lizzie to choose her own path.
The only major problem with Pride and Prejudice is the lack of development for Mr. Wickham (Rupert Friend). While in the novel he is meant to be villainous and untrustworthy, he is onscreen for only a short time and his manner is complete sweetness. We only learn of his treachery through a letter written to Lizzie by Mr. Darcy. As Wright proves throughout the film, it’s always better to show than tell – unfortunately, that’s not what happens with the Wickham subplot.
Spirited and entertaining, Wright and his cast extract the essence of Austen’s work. Don’t let the costumes and good manners scare you away. |
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