Pride and Prejudice
I watched Pride and Prejudice the other week on DVD. Although I have a “movie” category, I almost never put anything in it, because most of the time I feel like I’d be spoiling something to talk about it. In this instance, I think I can talk about the movie without spoiling anything for anyone.
Here’s what has compelled me to blog about this movie, for once I really liked the story! You have to understand, I read a lot of historical romance and historical fiction. In fact, it is almost the only thing I do read. And I’ve read a lot of good love stories. So the story of Elizabeth not liking Mr. Darcy for the duration of the story and then suddenly having this huge change of heart always REALLY bothered me.
I’m naturally drawn to stories where the couple are friends first and have lots of moments of laughter and fun before deciding to date or while dating. After all, that is what happened with every guy I dated, so it is what is believable to me. All of them, we laughed and joked around first and then dated. HB is the epitome of that, because we became SUCH good friends that we each had a fear of ‘ruining’ our friendship by dating (with the fear of a break-up being devasting to our friendship as well). But lucky us! It all worked out. Suffice to say that those are the relationships I understand. And I’ve never understood how Mr. Darcy could have some sort of love for Elizabeth when all she has ever said to him were witty, but rather nasty, things. But in this adaptation of the book, I was finally convinced.
It is interesting too, because I ended up watching it in two parts. When I stopped it, I’d seen too much of her screeching mother and her giggling sisters for comfort. She had turned down the proposal of Mr. Collins. I felt like I’d gotten nowhere in the movie for an entire hour. So, a week passed, because I just wasn’t in the mood to pick it back up again. But the second half! Ohhhhh the second half is far far better than the first. The cinematography seemed better, the music seemed better. Elizabeth’s character finally showed some depth to it. Mr. Darcy’s proclamation of love still seemed really out of place, but by the end of it, you can see how she would grow to be affectionate toward him. Although for me, to hear her say she loved him was still a bit of a stretch.
And the ending scenes were real jewels. The scene where she explained to her father why she wanted to marry Mr. Darcy is probably the scene that clinched the movie for me. Up until that point, I just wasn’t convinced. But in addition to convincing her father, she is convincing the audience of her love. And for once, I was finally convinced. It made the final scenes all the more touching and precious because of that. I really did want the story to keep going. I wanted to see more beautiful scenes and hear more beautiful music. I think the casting of the movie was brilliant. Of course though, ever since I saw Bend It Like Beckham, I’ve been a Keira Knightley fan. So, I was thrilled to see her in the lead role. I really enjoyed it and am glad that we own the DVD, because I probably will want to go back and see it again.
Amber says:
How exciting!
I wanted to see that movie while it was in the theatre, but I never had a chance. Right now it’s somewhere on my queue for netflix. I’ve heard good reviews about this movie.
Now that you have described some of it, I am even more intrigued.
I think I am getting “March of the Penguins” shipped today, and the next movie is actually the one you are talking about.
I like Keira Knightley. Did you know she was born in Minneapolis? I thought that was a neat tid bit.
And I love her in Blow Dry, but that move is soo not mainstream that I don’t think many people have heard of it.
Amber says:
Oh wait, I’m a total dummy. She wasn’t born in Minneapolis and she wasn’t in Blow Dry. I have no idea how I was thinking that!
After I posted the comment I go, “Wait a second…”
I had to do a double take.
Keira Knightley is the girl in Pirates of the Carribean and Love Actually.
Alright, ok.
Ern says:
I quite liked the mini-series version with Colin Firth. I’m looking forward to seeing the movie (I also love Keira Knightly) but no one will watch it with me. *pout*
Squirl says:
I’ll have to catch that sometime. I’ve like Keira Knightly since I saw Love, Actually. Now that’s a movie that I would recommend to anyone.
honestyrain says:
P&P is my favorite book of all time. i have seen and own the A&E film version and love it. i have not wanted to see the hollywood version but finally gave in a few weeks ago. i got less than a third of the way in before shutting it off and taking it back. that girl is NOT elizabeth bennett. end of discussion. lol.
kerrianne says:
Hi! Popping by from the fabulous Amanda B.’s site, to say “hello!” And also: I heart Pride and Prejudice. Even though I don’t particularly care for Keira, I thought the movie was extremely well done. And Mr. Darcy. Um, yum. And also: we are both going to viva la Stanley! Hurrah! Ok, I’ll stop with the excessive exclamation using/pee in my pants excitement of it all. Happy Thursday to you!
kalki says:
They showed this movie on the plane, so I watched it. I haven’t read the book (shame, shame). I liked it alright, but would have preferred Colin Firth. For sure.
Amber says:
I watched this movie last night, and I have to agree, the first part was awful.
I kept thinking throughout the first part, “Just keep going, just keep going, going, going, going, going.” (Like Dori’s “Just keep swimming”) because of your review, saying that it got better.
It felt very dragged out for the first part, and BAM! You were right, it just got _better_.
I am very glad that you posted this review, because I probably would have turned it off and sent it back before finishing it, but I am glad that I finished it.
I have to say, I like the man who plays Mr. Darcy.
My favorite scene is the one with her and her father at the end. His expressions were so funny, and I like the last line he says. (Although I can’t remember it right now.)
I give it a good thumbs up.
It was most certainly better than the last movie we rented. (Galaxy Quest)