Rating : 2.5 / 5
To any Austen-phile, time is divided into two distinct periods - B.BBC (before the 1995 BBC TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice) and A.BBC (after). The 1995 BBC adaptation starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy and Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet, is beloved by many (and me) and considered the most definitive adaptation, unparalleled in bringing Austen’s glorious world to the screen. It was also significant in that after the release of this series, wonderful versions of 4 of her other novels were adapted to the silver screen and Austen lovers finally had a wealth of movie versions which came to be as well-loved as her books (not including Bride&P here).
I’m sure there’s not many out there who dont know the story. The following is going to be more of a rant than a review, on the mangling and mutilation of Austen’s beautiful work in Joe Wright’s version.
Dialogue - Much of the pleasure in reading Austen’s works is derived from her dialogues which contain sharp character insights and sparkling wit. Why change the original ? The makers of this movie apparently decided that they would change some of what the characters say and keep some of the original work leading to one of the most ridiculous screenplays in recent times - a screenplay that oscillates between the 1810s and the late 1900s. Some sparkling gems are
Charlotte Lucas to Lizzy - ’’Dont you dare judge me, Lizzie’’
Darcy to Elizabeth - ’’...you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you’’
and the best of all
- Elizabeth to Mr. Bennet (explaining why she loves Darcy) - ’’I admit he has been a fool regarding Jane ..’’
This is not an actual quote but the context of it, since I couldnt remember it accurately, but would the Elizabeth we know call her beloved Darcy a ’fool’ ?!
Character changes - I dont mind liberties being taken with things as long as they can keep to the spirit of the original. But, in this movie, the characters are not spared and some of their personalities have been completely changed making me totally resent it. Some examples are ...
The dumbing down of Charlotte Lucas. Why is Charlotte shown so stupid as to be awed by Lady Catherine? One of the speeches that Mr. Collins makes in the original has been given to Charlotte here - the advice she gives Lizzy regarding clothes to be worn to dinner at Lady Catherine’s. Are we to believe that such a stupid woman has been Lizzy’s bosom friend and confidante all these years?
Georgiana Darcy isnt shy but pert and outspoken ....
Aunt Gardiner isnt as close to Lizzy and Jane as in the novel. In one scene where Lizzy is distraught with the letter containing news of Lydia’s elopement, Aunt and Uncle Gardiner sit calmly watching while Lizzy is in tears and unable to disclose the news. What kind of character development is this? Anybody who cared the least for Lizzy would have gone upto her and tried to console her, but here everyone’s sitting placidly and the only signs of nervous tension are from Darcy, who stupidly, cannot decide whether to sit or stand.
Mr. Bingley is portrayed as an imbecile, leading us to wonder why Jane loves him so much.
Location changes - Why change most of the scenes and their locations ??? This puzzles me exceedingly!! So we have scenes that are meant to be outdoors taking place indoors and vice versa. There’s no evidence of Lizzy being a great walker, so when she says ’I love to walk’ to Darcy and he replies ’I know’ .... How do you know, Mr. Darcy? Clairvoyant ? Mind-reader?? Stalker ??? Mr. Bennet in library make a very late appearance.
Historical Inaccuracies - Some of the most grating ones were having the characters talking in church, Darcy walks straight into Lizzy’s bedroom to give her the letter, Bingley walks straight into Jane’s bedroom when she is ill, Lizzy leaves Pemberley without telling her aunt and uncle where she’s heading, the Gardiners and Lizzy have their food in the common taproom of the inn instead of hiring a private parlour and Lady Catherine de Bourgh bursts upon the Bennets in the wee hours of the morning and is received by the family in their nightclothes - ridiculous! What also exceedingly irritated me is that with the exception of the Bingleys and Darcy, everyone seemed to be having a ’bad hair day’. Again, in a period where grooming and manners were predominant, this is ridiculous!!
The Proposal - In an oh-so-original deviation from the norm, the proposal between the star-crossed lovers is made in the rain. Oooh, nobody has ever associated overcast skies and rain with heartbreak and sorrow!! Darcy who should have been acting like his pride has suffered a severe blow, instead looks and acts like a kicked puppy and the body language of both Lizzy and Darcy made me think they were about to kiss at the end of the scene :S
Darcy’s Letter and after - While I was still gasping over Darcy coolly entering Lizzy’s bedroom (while she’s staring squint-eyed into a mirror) to give her the letter, the reading of the letter was finished .. with me only catching the few words eloping ... Wickham ... Jane. Why is such a momentous event given such little significance? There is no hint given to Lizzy’s inner turmoil after this letter. Later, when Lizzy goes to Pemberley and and is being shown around by the housekeeper - another key moment in the novel - when Lizzy hears from the housekeeper about the love that the servants and tenants feel for Darcy, it gives her an insight to the man himself. Instead, here Lizzy loiters around, admiring awful nude sculptures instead of listening to a word of what the housekeeper says. Consequently, the romance between Lizzy and Darcy seems forced and rushed.
Cast and Characters
Matthew MacFadyen (Mr. Darcy) - Colin Firth need never ever worry. Neither of the two recent Darcy’s, the Block, Martin Henderson, (B&P) or this guy has approached anything close to what he was in the 1995 version. Firth as Darcy mastered the role and made you believe and love him. MacFadyen plays him as shy, tormented, and with nowhere an iota of the pride that gives the novel it’s name.
Keira Knightley (Elizabeth Bennet) - The movie rightly belongs to Knightley. Not having much faith in her acting abilities apart from Bend It ... she bowled me over with the energy and charm she brings to the role. But her acting is below par to Ehle’s brilliant portrayal in the 1995 version. Ehle acts with her eyes and her expressive face. Knightley is almost there, but HAS to learn to control her giggling .... much like our very own Ms.’Giggly’ Rai of Bride and P. fame.
Donald Sutherland (Mr. Bennet) is horribly miscast.
Just about the only other things I liked in this version is the acting of Mrs. Bennet who wasnt portrayed as a caricature, and Caroline Bingley who had the haughtiness down pat. And, I really liked the romantic picturisation of the English countryside, with the lush greens, rolling fogs and calm lakes.
But, to me comparing the 1995 version and this movie is like comparing a delicious banana split and a plain vanilla masquerading as interesting by being sprinkled with nuts. To any Austen purist the 1995 version is the definitive one. However, if you are looking for a modern romance based on Austen’s book, are not bogged down by details or cannot sit through the 5+ hours of the series, this version might please. Which is why it earns the extra 1/2 a star.