Pride & Prejudice (4 stars)

Pride & Prejudice brings Jane Austin’s legendary romance novel to life.

Elizabeth is one of five daughters of a pig farmer who are of marrying age. When the matchmaking games begin at the will of their loving but manipulative mother, she finds herself battling inequalities of class differences, social norms, and her strong feelings toward a particular gentleman (Mr. Darcy) who has been systematically ruining the lives of her friends and family.

The casting, acting, cinematography, music, editing and directing are all top-notch. I was quite impressed. Even though my expectations of the film were already high, it being one of those films where a canon novel combined with an all-star cast automatically assumes it is high art.

As usual, probably because of its status as an adaptation, parts of the story fall a wee bit short of believability. I did not feel the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy was given sufficient screen time, and thus their developing feelings for one another felt a little rushed.

Particular favorites of mine, in terms of overall excellence of their performance, (though they were indeed all good – there was no weak link in this cast), were Donald Sutherland as Elizabeth’s ever-loyal father, Rosamund Pike as Elizabeth’s eldest (and closest) sister, and Judi Dench as the elegant, intolerable and intimidating Lady Catherine de Bourg.

4 stars