Pride and prejudice

Year of release : 2005

 

Run time : 2h2min

 

Genre : Romance / Comedy

 

Cast : Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Rosamund Pike, Donald Sutherland, Judi Dench, Jena Malone, Carey Mulligan, Rupert Friend, Tom Hollander

 

 

The movie is based on the Jane Austen novel of the same name,from 1813.

 

It's the late XVIIIth century, and we are invited into the life of the Bennet family, who have 5 daughters, and live at their rural estate in England, Longbourn.

Mrs. Bennet, who talks too much, and says things she's not supposed to, wants her daughters to marry,and marry well,if possible.

 

Going to a ball, they meet Mr. Bingley,his sister,Caroline, and Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bingley and the beautiful and eldest daughter of the family, Jane, seem to be immediately taken with each other, while Elizabeth hears Mr. Darcy speak ill of her.

 

Visiting the Bingley's, on horseback, as per her mother's instructions, Jane gets sick (as she rode in the rain), and remains under the Bingley's care, to Mr. Bingley and Jane's joy.

Elizabeth goes to visit, and spends time in Mr. Darcy's company,whom she hates.

 

Mr. Bennet's cousin, Mr. Collins, a clergyman, visits the Bennets, as the closest male relative,who'll inherit Longbourn, as tradition is set on the male line.

Mr. Collins asks for Jane's hand in marriage, but Mrs. Bennet tells her she's already taken, and suggests Elizabeth.

 

The Bennet sisters meet the charming soldier Wickham, whose father worked for the Darcys. 15 years old Lydia, seems in awe of soldiers, and wants herself one!

 

Mr. Bingley hosts a ball,as per Mrs. Bennet's instructions, and Elizabeth is asked to dance by no other than Mr. Darcy, who said in a previous encounter is not found of dancing.

The next day, Mr. Collins asks for Elizabeth's hand in marriage, and she refuses. So he asks her friend, Charlotte, who accepts.

 

The Bingleys return to London, Mr. Bingley breaking Jane's heart. Mrs. Bennet sends Jane to London too,hoping they'll meet.

 

Months later, Elizabeth visits Charlotte and Mr. Collins who live next to Lady Catherine de Bourgh's estate in Kent. Elizabeth finds Mr. Darcy there, who visits with a cousin who tells her Mr. Darcy stopped Mr. Bingley from making a bad match, adding to Elizabeth's dislike of him.

Ironically, Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, having no proof of her loving him, although he took Mr. Bingley away from Jane thinking she didn't like him back!

Furious at how Mr. Darcy proposed to her (insulting her and her family a bit..more), she refuses him, and fights with him, realizing she probably likes him, more than she should.

 

I personally love Jane Austin's books and read most of them,if not all, and just loved this rendition of the book. Everything was perfect, the casting (ironically, Matthew Macfadyen said he didn't enjoy playing Mr.Darcy, as he thought he was miscast, as he's not dashing!), the look and vibe of the movie..which made me laugh so many times due to the sisters' antics, and even due to Mr. Collins!

 

Watching it last night, I realized this movie was a lot like Bridget Jones!Ironically, the movie came from Bridget Jones's producers( I love the first 2 Bridget Jones movies, and watched them so many times!),so that explains it!

 

I loved the landscapes, the houses, the interiors, the furniture, and women's clothes and jewelry (especially Judi Dench's character's).

 

The movie was a commercial success, grossing 121.6 million dollars,against a budget of 28 million! It received 4 Oscar nominations, including one for Best Actress, for Keira Knightley, and a Bafta award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer,Director, Producer.

 

The acting was flawless.

 

The soundtrack was good.

 

You can watch the full movie here, for free :

https://ok.ru/video/2078072834723

 

Rating : It's so money!

 

 

Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen in 'Pride and Prejudice'