Pride and Prejudice, Revisited

Tonight I went to the screening of the new Pride and Prejudice movie, you know, the one with Keira Knightly.




I must admit, I went to the movie with the biggest chip on my shoulder. Because in my mind, I had held such high regards for the the six-hour A&E/BBC rendition with Colin Firth. Which in my opinion, is the perfect standard of the Jane Austen novel. I have watched those DVDs more than what's considered "enough" times. I couldn't understand why they had to bother ruining a perfectly good thing by making another one? Also, I have a special place in my heart for this novel because it was the first "A" I've ever received on a book report. (Please remember that I'm a FOB.) I loved it so much that I've also read it in two different Chinese translated versions and one comic version. This movie had a lot to prove to me.

However, after I saw the it, I was pleasantly surprised.

The movie encapsulated the best parts of the story into one concentrated dose. I found myself being drawn into it, in spite of my pre-conceived resistance, derived out of loyalty to my A&E/BBC DVDs. I was entwined in the romance, the yearning, the angst. Tears were definitely shed, short of bawling, at parts.

The casting was not disappointing either. Jane Bennet, played by Rosmund Pike, really was serenely beautiful. Dare I say it, maybe even better than the Jane Bennet in the A&E/BBC version. Judy Dench's Lady Catherine was probably the best performance of the film. Darcy, played by Matthew McFayden, successfully took the audience on an emotional roller coaster with his multi-faceted character, but my heart will always belong to Colin Firth's Fitzwilliam Darcy. I was however, disappointed with Keira Knightly as Lizzie. Can't put it into words really, but the maturity that's intrinsic within this character was lacking in Keira. She was also too skinny. Lydia Bennet, played by Jena Malone, wasn't "annoying" enough to make me cringe either.

My only big complaint: the last scene of the movie was way too "schmoopie." Could have done without it.

Bottom line, do I love it more than my coveted A&E/BBC mini-series? No, but it sure does a pretty good job on the big screen.

Watching this movie tonight just really validated how much I LOVE PRIDE AND PREJUDICE!!! It is my favourite book in the world. It is the BEST love story ever told.

Need to own this DVD. Definitely.

I think I'll go re-read the book now...