I've gotta say, I'm still reeling from this movie. It's like nothing I've ever seen before, and I'm not just talking about the cinematography.
Who hasn't watched this movie, right? I'm curious to hear from you.
I recently came across a story about a woman from South America who's watched it over 350 times - that's a new record!
There have been many adaptations of this book over the years, but this modern take is definitely my favorite.
I've read plenty of reviews and negative comments about it, but I've managed to keep a positive attitude, so my review will be on the same wavelength.
I don't see the point in summarizing the entire movie and its main plot points, so I'll just show you the scenes that really caught my attention and what I think was missing.
I absolutely loved the entire cast, but the actors who played the main roles are truly the center of attention.
Kiera Knightley, who played Elizabeth Bennet, is not exactly restrained and quite outspoken in her views, which is really empowering for women on the other side of the screen. It's like a reflection of modern society, where a young, unmarried woman isn't worried about her future and is living with her parents, doling out advice to everyone left and right. And back in those days, that was actually considered shameful - people tried to get married as soon as possible.
She teases Darcy, jokes around with him, and seems harmless compared to the younger sisters and mom. I think they deliberately played it that way to balance out Lizzy's character.
Elizabeth is a true original, confident in herself, and it's clear that Darcy is drawn to her, aside from her love of books.
I've got to say, I'm not judging the main character - I actually really like her. As a modern woman, I think she's relatable, and that's probably what the filmmakers were going for.
Mister Darcy is played by Matthew Macfadyen - and he's not the same Darcy as the one from the book. He's more of a sweetheart, a bit reserved and stoic, but his subtle nature says a lot.
From the get-go, it's clear that we're meant to sympathize with Elizabeth. But then things take a turn - Darcy starts dropping subtle hints, trying to get Elizabeth to pick up on his feelings.
And then, just as he opens up and shows his true feelings, he gets rejected. Why does he put himself through that? Is it his fault what happens?
After that, it seems like the thread is snapped, and there's no going back. But the plot twists and turns.
THE SCENES THAT LEFT ME SPEECHLESS
I'm not sure why they needed to get up close and personal with the pig's, ahem, private parts in the Bennet house.
And can we talk about how dirty the dresses of those rural 'ladies' are? It's like they're trying to make a point, but it's just awkward.
I have to say, the hair was looking a bit wild at the ball, especially among the folks from the countryside.
But that first ball? It was a real wild card - it reminded me of those impromptu Irish dance parties in some cramped barn.
If you paid close attention to the movie, you'd realize that it was all done on purpose to create a stark contrast between the poor and the wealthy. And then there's the fate of those country girls who somehow manage to snag a rich husband.
Believe it or not, that's exactly what Jane Austen had in mind. These novels aren't based on real events; she literally made them up as fairy tales to entertain young women living in rural areas and give them a glimmer of hope in their mundane lives. Unequal marriages are like modern-day Cinderella stories. While such marriages might have occurred, they weren't the inspiration behind Austen's pen.
The most cringe-worthy scene has to be when Lizzy kisses Darcy's hand in a sign of submission and gratitude. If she had just leaned her head against his chest or heart instead, it would've been way more heart-wrenching.
So, they adapted the book as they should have, but with a bit of creative license, of course!
THE CRINGEWORTHY MOMENTS
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Darcy's look when he coldly gazes at everyone at the first ball and then when he sees Lizzy, repeating the same expression. Typically, you look at someone you don't recognize right off the bat. That's how he showed his interest in her.
I've gotta say, Mr. Bingley's got a thing for Jane, but he's handling it like a total gentleman. He sneaks up behind her at the ball and gets to enjoy this sweet moment.
On the other hand, Mr. Darcy bursts into the living room where Lizzy is waiting, fidgeting with his gloves like a nervous kid who's not done his homework. Everyone's on edge, wondering how this visit is going to play out.
Lizzy's in a world of hurt, hiding out in some dingy old building, and the last person she wants to see is Darcy. But, of course, he's always lurking. Her fear and confusion are palpable, and the tension is building.
After her rejection, Lizzy heads back to her fiancé's place and can't help but admire his statue. It's like she's saying, 'I'm not brave enough to be myself.' Her emotions are all over the place - she's kicking herself for what she's done, but her pride...
There's another scene at the ball where Lizzy's struggling with her pride. When Darcy asks her to dance, she's all torn up because she promised herself she'd never dance with him again.
And then there's the scene where Darcy's keeping an eye on Lizzy, popping up and disappearing like a ghost. It's like he's saying, 'I'm watching over you.'
My Verdict
I'll be the first to admit, I've had my fair share of criticisms about this movie, but at the end of the day, it's still a masterpiece that I find myself wanting to rewatch over and over.
So, what made me take off a star? The ending, of course. It's the most talked-about part of the film, and while it sparked a heated debate on set, it felt like the crew was just exhausted or in a rush to wrap things up, so they just cut it short.
As a result, we get two endings that are basically two different movies. One's for the British conservative crowd, essentially telling them to figure it out for themselves, which is basically no ending at all.
And the other one's more of an American-style ending, completely at odds with the tone of Jane Austen's original work.
I wasn't a fan of either, if I'm being honest. It's all about sadness, longing, and despair, with none of the romance I was expecting from the author, who was going for the exact opposite.
I still highly recommend watching and rewatching this movie, though. It's got no cheap shots, but it does have the charm that makes you nostalgic for a bygone era.