Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is one of the best romantic stories I've ever read. The love between Elizabeth and the mysterious Mr. Darcy is incredible. The way the story goes about showing their love though words and awkward meetings is refreshing when we think of some of today's so called loves stories. The movie version of Pride and Prejudice that came out in 2005 directed by Joe Wright is a true masterpiece.
First, lets discuss the amazing casting for this film. Starting with the lovely and talented Keira Knightley. She was perfect for the role. Her tomboyish beauty is what makes her, in my opinion, the perfect Elizabeth Bennet. She has an independent way about her that fits perfectly with the original character of Elizabeth. Matthew Macfadyen was also a great Mr. Darcy. His evolution throughout the film is the greatest of any in the movie. Though he seems harsh in the beginning we learn he is misunderstood and painfully shy. Matthew acts like a man pretending not be a hopeless romantic puppy through out half the film making every women fall in love with him instantly. And the way the two reacts to one another is perfect. They have a subtle sexual tension throughout the whole film that makes the movie 12 times better. They both react to each others actions so well to the point where the audience can clearly see they love one another before either character actually realizes that fact. For example, the scene in the rain where Elizabeth states that Mr. Darcy is the "last man in the world" she could ever be married too is the most intense scene in this film. The rain, though some may say is clique, I find it to be perfect (even though it is slightly clique). That moment when they stare at each other is filled with sexual tension. The audience fully expects them to embrace one another and share a long passionate kiss. Darcy leans in, as Elizabeth does the same. He turns his head and the audience is sitting at the edge of their seat only to hear Darcy utter "Sorry, for taking up so much of your time." The first time I saw this I was shocked! In movies set in today's time period the two characters would have kissed. However, because it is a classic story the two must walk away, longing and pretending to be indifferent. The actors and actresses in the whole film are perfectly cast and wonderful, however, without Knightly and Macfadyen, this movie wouldn't have been such a success.
This movie also excels due to its amazing camera work. As I continue to write more blogs you will all see that I love camera work. Me and the camera are intimately involved. In this film the setting is simply breath taking and Wright does a great job of showing the beautiful scenery he has. The long takes are the best in this film. Particularly when Mr. Darcy is walking up to Elizabeth towards the end of the film. The camera stays on him for a good minute and a half. The director could have made cuts back and forth between him and Elizabeth. Or he could have made Mr. Darcy's walk much shorter. Instead, he plays the beautiful piano in the background (thanks to Dario Marianelli) and Macfadyen walks toward the camera with the wind in his hair. This scene is what I like to call subtly dramatic. You don't realize the drama in the scene until it ends and you think "man that was the most epic walk across a field I have ever seen". The close-ups in this film also show the simple beauty in the story. It causes the audience to be absorbed into the film in a way that makes you feel like you are standing in the field or in the rain watching the characters right in front of you.
Overall, this movie is excellent Granted, I can understand if its not for everyone. Some people might not enjoy the whole 'old English' theme. However, the love story of this film is a good one and that is undeniable. It shows how you cannot judge a person based on loose first impressions and you need to open yourself up to the best love possible. Towards the beginning of the film, Elizabeth tells Jane "Only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony" showing how she would only settle for the greatest love, not the convenient kind of love. That's why I think this film is so exceptional and different then a lot of love stories today. Obviously the movie is shot in a different time period than other movies based on romance are today. Yet, there is a true love in this story that I think other romantic movies in this generation lack. But, I do believe that good romance movies are making a comeback. Stories filled with real love, not a selfish sort of love story, and that is exciting to me.
-Megan O'Neal
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