StudioCanal etc.
16 September 2005
Historical Drama, Historical Comedy, Romance
DVD
C+
C+
I found this disappointing at the time, particularly in contrast to the BBC production of a decade earlier. I've watched it once or twice since then, before today, and it's not like I hate this version, but I do feel it's over-rated. Today I tried to figure out what was lacking, and I couldn't help comparing it to Bride & Prejudice, which has a shorter runtime and yet manages to include several memorable song & dance numbers. B & P also leaves things out (including the Kitty-equivalent) but I've never felt that it fails to develop so much of what it does include. To take one example, by giving us hardly anything of Wickham, and changing the circumstances of his involvement with Georgiana, the weight of his elopement is lessened, as is his character as a counterpoint to Darcy. Furthermore, I don't really get any sense from this movie of the bonds between characters, especially the Lizzy & Jane sisterhood. Verdict: this remains watchable but unsatisfying.
Joe Wright directed, a couple years before the also flawed, C+-earning adaptation Atonement, which has Keira Knightley as well. Emma Thompson apparently contributed uncredited dialogue.
