Pride and Prejudice

After years of loving Pride and Prejudice (the 2005 movie), I have finally figured out why Joe Wright, the director of the film, has captured my heart with this movie. Cinematography. I have an unadulterated love of English landscape. As I watched Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightly) and Mr. Darcy (Matthew Mcfadyen) clash on the screen, I realized: the acting isn't actually that great. In fact, the only person who does an outstanding job of creating their character is the dreaded Bennet cousin: Mr. Collins (Tom Hollander).

I hate to say it, but even Donald Sutherland (Mr. Bennet) falls short of his usual brilliance. The only scene in which passion is felt between Lizzy and Darcy is when she confronts him, wet to the bone, about breaking Jane and Mr. Bingley up. The moment Lizzy finishes ranting "And those are the words of a gentleman. From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry," the two actors lean in as though all they want to do is kiss. Of course, being the 1800's, stealing kisses was as hot as things got (in literature). Of course, I still love this movie. It's just easier to enjoy when my husband isn't making fun of it the whole time. Funny that my favorite romantic fictional story is mocked helplessly by the most romantic and caring man I know. Anyway.

Based on Jane Austin's book "Pride and Prejudice," the story revolves around the social woes of the Bennet family, but focuses most prominently on Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Lizzy, a bookish girl whose beauty pales in comparison to her older sister Jane, does not share the family worry: marriage. Though her views on men are called 'bitter' by her aunt, Lizzy is actually an example of the future feminist. Mrs. Bennet's one goal is to marry her girls off to save them from a life of destitution after the eventual (and expected) death of their father. Lizzy, courted by Mr. Collins (the cousin who is to inherit the Bennet home) at one point, angers Mrs. Bennet by refusing his proposal. "You could not make me happy and I'm convinced I'm the last woman in the world who could make you happy." Lizzy makes it clear to her mother that she will not marry for anything less than happiness and love. The battle of the sexes does not truly begin until the bookish Bennet encounters the seemingly standoffish (and handsome) Darcy.

As I stated before, the chemistry within the movie is less than stellar. The romance between Darcy and Elizabeth appears less passionate of that between Jane and Mr. Bingley, though they are not the focus of the plot. Strangely, I can not see anyone else playing Elizabeth Bennet. Knightly appears the tomboy, and with her spunk and clever wit, I can hardly imagine anyone else chosen to portray one of my favorite literary characters. As for Mcfadyen. . . I've never actually seen him in anything before, but it seems his romantic side is not the best. It was his acting I took most fault with. He seemed practically turned off by Lizzy for most of the movie. Their dynamic is in its element in the rainy confrontation scene, but it tapers off again from there. Every other emotion (happiness, worry, anxiety, ect) are conveyed excellently. . . but his chemistry with Knightly is lacking. As for the rest of the Bennet family, their close-knit and quirky ways were enjoyable to watch. Jane and Mr. Bingley convincingly play the shy and loving couple, and Caroline Bingley was a proper nasty piece of work. Of course, who can fault the talented Judi Dentch as Lady Catherine de Bourge?

 

 And now, the cinematography. It should be noted that almost all the important scenes are shot at either sunset or sunrise--the warm glow over the English landscape casts the scenery in a permanent incandescent glow (take a look at the cover picture above, it is a great example of this). There was also a softer focus to most of the film, conveying a rustic age (better suiting the environment to an 1800's feel). The three most important scenes in the movie that made the best use of camera work and lighting were: rainy rejection scene, 

Lizzy's meditation scene,


their first dance scene,

and the final scene in which Lizzy and Darcy meet in a field to declare their feelings.

Not only was the acting at its best in the rainy scene, but the softer lighting, the editing between the arguing couple, and the close ups that conveyed the lingering emotion came together to produce...well...greatness. It's my favorite part of the movie. The audience just knows in that moment, all they want to do is grab each other and kiss. Kiss a lot. The audience groans in disappointment as they finally lean away from each other, remembering that they are angry with each other. Their first dance scene occurs right after Lizzy finds out her potential date, Mr. Wickham, avoids coming to the ball because of Darcy's presence (also after being lied to by Wickham shamelessly about his lack of fortune). Darcy's feelings show little here, but it is clear he is interested in Lizzy by stating "I hope to afford you more clarity in the future" in reference to her inability to make out his character. It is after this exchange that the music swells and the crowd around them disappears (literally) so that Lizzy and Darcy dance alone, eyes only for each other. Now, it is the scene in which Lizzy stares at herself in a mirror all day that is a great example of lighting change. The scene is a still shot of her looking into a mirror (the camera looking at Lizzy as though it is the mirror). The daylight crests and wanes around her before Darcy appears to hand her a letter (this is just after the rainy rejection scene) explaining her allegations against him (breaking up her sister and Bingley, the situation with Wickham, ect).  The final scene is outdoors at sunrise--Darcy and Lizzy meeting after a long sleepless night. The camera sweeps around them both as the sun breaks over the horizon, casting their 'love' in a warm glow as though the world was smiling with them in their new happiness. Whoever the DoP was for this movie: bravo.

Overall, this movie is worth the watch. I haven't seen the earlier versions of the movie, but I have read the book (once). The movie is better. I've never really been a fan of Austin's books (Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre is more my style), but the overall plot of Elizabeth and Darcy has always appealed to me. Elizabeth is not just a woman looking to get married, she is looking for the ability to be independent, but happy. She wants to find love in an era where arranged marriages were all the rage. Yes, the acting could be better, but the movie is still one of my favorites, and I will continue to watch it over and over again (just maybe without my mocking hubby in the room).