Director: Joe Wright
Starring: Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfayden and Judi Dench
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
When it comes to the world’s greatest authors that deserve recognition, it’s worth discussing Jane Austen. Ever since she gained recognition in the 19th Century, Austen has become one of the most beloved female novelists in the world. With their timeless themes of womanhood, identity and economic security, her famous books are regarded highly today. Through their meaningful themes of feminism, her enduring books have earned a huge fan following. Perhaps, Austen’s most well-known book is “Pride and Prejudice”. It’s one of those books that’s so commemorated that it has been adapted to the big-screen several times. Each and every adaptation has offered a distinctive interpretation of commemorated source material.
I’m a big fan of Jane Austen and adore movies that have brought her beloved literature to the big-screen. However, “Pride and Prejudice” is definitely my favourite adaptation. Released in 2005, Joe Wright’s movie is a beautiful period piece that celebrates the author’s most iconic book. Boasting astonishing production-design, gripping storytelling and strong performances, it’s one of the best literary adaptations ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Kiera Knightley, who portrays one of Jane Austen’s most beloved feminist characters. Ultimately, it delivers a strong message that would resonate with everyone impacted by social class at an early age. A mesmerizing literary masterpiece, it celebrates a legendary author whose books are definitely without a doubt worth reading.
Based on the book, “Pride and Prejudice” tells the story of a woman with pride that seeks to discover her identity in the 19th Century. Keira Knightley portrays Elizabeth Bennet, a woman from a lower-class family. Elizabeth is a feminist woman whose worldviews clash with her conservative family that wants her to immediately get married. However, Elizabeth’s life drastically changes when she meets Mr. Darcy (Matthe Macfadyen). Mr. Darcy is a man from an upper-class family with strong prejudices against social class. Due to their opposing backgrounds, Elizabeth initially doesn’t get along well with Mr. Darcy. As Elizabeth struggles to accept Mr. Darcy’s prejudice, she questions whether she will ever find love in the 19th Century.
Joe Wright is a newcomer to Jane Austen adaptations. Before he directed “Pride and Prejudice”, Wright had never made a literary adaptation. Known for his career on television, Wright was not familiar with the literature of Jane Austen. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a legendary book about women on the big-screen, but he succeeded. Through captivating cinematography, the filmmaker captures a woman on a journey seeking to discover her identity in the 19th Century. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes. Wright successfully uses montages to capture a woman seeking to discover her identity. Montages elevate the opening scene where Elizabeth walks across nature to her home. It’s a memorable scene which does an extraordinary job of bringing Jane Austen’s book to the big-screen. Through ravishing visuals, Wright celebrates the books of an author whose timeless stories are definitely worth reading.
Another aspect of “Pride and Prejudice” worth discussing is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s arguably the most well-made Jane Austen adaptation you’ll ever see. The sets, costumes and production are highly impressive, and celebrate Jane Austen’s book. Wright effectively uses production-design to capture the lives of families in the 19th Century. Throughout the movie, Elizabeth Bennet’s downtrodden home plays a role in the movie. It represents a strong symbol of social class. For instance, the production of the home elevates the guest lunch scene. During this memorable scene, Elizabeth has a lunch at her home with Mr. Collins. One appreciate the phenomenal production-design that capture the family’s lower-class in society. Through unforgettable sets, Wright captures hardships which lower-class families in the 19th century went through. Moreover, the musical score is spectacular. Dario Marianelli’s music capture the beauty of Jane Austen’s literature. Through powerful production-design, Wright pays tribute to the legendary literature of an author whose stories always shine.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Pride and Prejudice’ is a literary adaptation that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses symbolism to celebrate the literature of a famous author. Wright’s finest screenwriting strength is capturing struggles of women in 19th Century through symbolism. Throughout the film, Wright uses symbolism to celebrate the legendary literature of a famous author. For instance, nature becomes a strong symbol of peace that gives women a sense of comfort away from harsh realities of the 19th Century. Throughout the movie, Elizabeth often loves to spend time alone outdoors far away from strict standards imposed upon women in society. Symbolism elevates the scene where Elizabeth runs away off alone in the woods after being preposed by Mr. Collins. Symbolism is a tricky technique. However, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a phenomenal screenplay, Wright honours timeless stories of a legendary author today.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Keira Knightley delivers one of her greatest performances as Elizabeth Benet. Knightley achieved appreciation for playing heroines in blockbusters about pirates. With “Pride and Prejudice”, however, she takes on her first ever Jane Austen role. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a woman that seeks to find her identity in the 19th Century, but she succeeds tremendously. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures the angst, desperation and strong perseverance of a woman seeking independence in the 19th Century. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the greatest British actresses working in Hollywood today.
Matthew Macfadyen is magnificent in the role of a man with a prejudiced point-of-view which regards women without any value. While Knightley gets the showier role, Macfadyen is also great as a male suitor that keeps his emotions under control. As Mr. Darcy, Macfadyen is excellent at capturing the personality of the legendary literary character through his body language. Whether he’s nervously flexing his hands after touching Elizabeth or standing awkwardly at a ballroom party, Macfadyen successfully uses his body language to convey Mr. Darcy’s standoffish personality. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the greatest British actors working today.
The final, most notable standout in the cast is Donald Sutherland. As Mr. Bennet, Sutherland brings heartfelt emotion to one of his greatest roles. It’s a sad reminder of how great an actor Sutherland once used to be before he recently passed away.
Finally, “Pride and Prejudice” would gain pride of everyone for capturing the prejudice faced by women in a past century. Unlike most Jane Austen adaptations, it’s one of those rare films everyone would relate to. The movie discusses strong themes including identity, marriage and social class resonating with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be big fans of Jane Austen to acknowledge the movie. Therefore, “Pride and Prejudice” is one of those rare literary adaptations of beloved books that everyone would adore.
Fans of Jane Austen would appreciate “Pride and Prejudice” and so will movie-goers seeking old-fashioned entertainment. A stunning literary masterpiece, it celebrates a renowned author whose captivating books are definitely worth reading.
Centuries following the publication of a renowned piece of literature about women with pride battling social class barriers in a prejudiced society posing danger, it’s a beautiful tribute to a legendary author whose timeless stories about women have stood the test of time achieving a huge fan following for their powerful depiction of barriers that women in the 19th Century were facing that have become a beloved part of popular culture that readers will forever treasure which deserve to be adapted into movies that attract audiences to the theatre.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 