Focus Features' Pride & Prejudice stars Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFadyen and was released in 2005. What's to love about this version of the classic Jane Austen novel is the performances, the score, the cinematography, the screenplay adaptation, and everything.Keira Knightley plays Elizabeth Bennet and she does a beautiful job expressing the character's emotions, prejudices, and nuances, and Matthew MacFadyen, who plays Fitzwilliam Darcy, plays off of her so well. The chemistry between the two actors sizzles on the screen, and the tension between the characters is palatable.
My love of piano music is catered to in the score of this movie from the scene with Elizabeth looking out over the countryside on her way to Pemberley with her aunt and uncle to the consistent pianoforte playing by the various characters.
While there are scenes from the book that are not in this movie, the pacing is perfect. Knightley easily portrays Elizabeth's fire and her love for her sister. MacFadyen's performance is equally captivating as Mr. Darcy from the touch of Elizabeth's hand and the clenching and unclenching of his fist to the longing gazes he casts in Elizabeth's direction.
The supporting cast is brilliant from Donald Sutherland as Mr. Bennet to Dame Judi Dench as Lady Catherine de Bourg, providing moments of laughter and anger.
***May contain spoilers***
Some of the best scenes are when it rains and Darcy professes his ardent love against his better judgment, the witty repartee between Darcy and Elizabeth at Rosings, the first dance between Darcy and Elizabeth, and the short exchange between Darcy and Bingley when he visits Jane after a long absence. The best scene of course is when Darcy and Elizabeth meet in the field early in the morning after his aunt visits late the previous evening.
Check out this P&P video set to music. Check out the trailer.
Focus Features' Pride & Prejudice (2005) receives 5 bags of popcorn from me and makes the first movie for the Everything Austen Challenge.
I always catch this one on tv toward the end, so I've never seen the whole movie. I suppose I will at some point. He's a very hot Mr. Darcy. ;)
ReplyDelete--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I guess you will have to borrow my copy or next time you are over, my arm could be twisted to watch it again.
ReplyDeleteAs I am not a fan of Austen, I don't think I will watch it ever!
ReplyDeleteBTW, wish you a book-filled happy birthday!
Psst! Anna sent me here!!
*grin*
Happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteOOOOOOh Awesome
ReplyDeleteI want to see this after just reading P&P for the first time!
PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Anna sent me, but don't tell her I said so!!! ;D
I haven't seen this yet. One day I will.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday, Serena!
ReplyDeleteGautami: Not an Austen fan...any particular reason? O and thanks for the birthday wishes.
ReplyDeleteWordlily: thanks for the birthday wishes.
Marie: I recommend this movie. I hope you enjoy P&P. Thanks for the birthday wishes.
Zia: thanks for stopping by and thanks for the birthday wishes.
Missy: thanks.
I absolutely LOVED the book P&P, and went in search of the movie. I was told that the A&E Colin Firth version was ten times better than the Kiera Knightly one, so that is the one I rented. It was fabulous! Have you seen that one? Oh my goodness, I couldn't stop thinking about it! Anyway, guess I need to see this one too, just to compare. BTW, Happy Birthday!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Serena! I just love this movie...My favorite part is when Elizabeth is staying with her cousin and Mr. Darcy bursts into the house all tongue twisted and not knowing what to say. That just makes me laugh!
ReplyDeletehave not seen this version, something about Keira Knightley makes me not want to see it
ReplyDeleteI prefer the 1940 version with Greer Garson
I haven't watched this adaptation yet. I had the one with Colin Firth out from the library but didn't have a chance to watch it. I'll have to reserve it again.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this movie, although I have yet to see the BBC version (need to!). I wrote a review on this movie for Monday's Movie as well.
ReplyDeleteSo... it's your birthday? HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!
Big birthday hugs.
Sheri
I have never seen this. I have to say I have been avoiding it, but only until I actually read the real thing. :) Great review (I jumped past the spoilers).
ReplyDelete:)
PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!
Kelly
Sandy: I've seen many versions, including Colin Firth's rendition, but I really love this one. I'm not sure what it is but I just love everything about it.
ReplyDeleteJo-Jo: I love that too. It's like do you want to sit, do you want tea...and he just stands there staring at her. LOL
Lissa: Now the 1940 version is not one I've seen. I will have to check it out.
Dar: You best get back on the P&P wagon and watch both of these movies.
Sheri: Thanks for stopping by the movie review and wishing me a happy birthday. Its been good so far.
Kelly: I hope you read the real thing soon, there are so many movies you can watch!
Stopping by to say Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteI love this P&P version. I bought the CD because the music is gorgeous. I listen to it a lot!!!! I have the DVD and have watched it over 20 times...I'm a little obsessed!!!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree!!!! 5 bags.. I can float in this movie.. drown in it.. Oh how I love it. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd Happy Birthday too!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I love this movie version of P&P! I thought their chemistry was amazing!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a birthday today too! Hope it was a great one!
ReplyDeleteI love this movie too and I've watched it atleast 5 times now :)
ReplyDeleteI love that rain scene too and also the one when she goes to his house for the first time.
A very belated happy birthday. I am late as usual. Hope you had a blast though.
I have seen the older version I guess! Not this one. I must get this :)
ReplyDeleteAlyce: Thanks for the birthday wishes.
ReplyDeleteStaci: you are not alone. I could quote this movie at any time.
Toni: Yes, floating happens quite often and thanks for the birthday wishes.
hms: thanks for the birthday wishes as well.
Violet: all of those scenes are fantastic. thanks for the belated birthday wishes.
Veens: you must see this movie.
I love, love, love this movie!!! I own it and watch a couple of times a year at least. I never get sick of it. Everything about it is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI just watched the 1995 BBC version for this challenge... and I didn't like it at all! I much prefer the 2005 movie.
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