Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 11/11/05 (Limited) Home Video 02/28/06 MPAA Rating Rated PG for some mild thematic elements Running Time 2 hours 8 minutes Genre Drama, Romance Director Joe Wright Writer Deborah Moggach Cast Keira Knightley, Matthew MacFadyen, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland, Jena Malone, Judi Dench, Tom Hollander, Rosamund Pike, Talulah Riley, Penelope Wilton, Simon Woods Studio Focus Features |
PRIDE & PREJUDICE
SYNOPSIS
The glorious world of Jane Austen is at last brought
back to the big screen in all its romance, wit, and
emotional force in Pride & Prejudice. Faithful to the
setting and period of the beloved novel and filmed
entirely on location in the U.K, this is the first movie
version of the story in 65 years.
The classic tale of love and misunderstanding
unfolds in class-conscious England near the close
of the 18th century. The five Bennet sisters –
Elizabeth, or Lizzie (Keira Knightley), Jane
(Rosamund Pike), Lydia (Jena Malone), Mary
(Talulah Riley), and Kitty (Carey Mulligan) – have
been raised well aware of their mother’s (two-time
Academy Award nominee Brenda Blethyn) fixation
on finding them husbands and securing set futures.
The spirited and intelligent Elizabeth, however,
strives to live her life with a broader perspective, as
encouraged by her doting father (two-time Golden
Globe Award winner Donald Sutherland).
The glorious world of Jane Austen is at last brought
back to the big screen in all its romance, wit, and
emotional force in Pride & Prejudice. Faithful to the
setting and period of the beloved novel and filmed
entirely on location in the U.K, this is the first movie
version of the story in 65 years.
The classic tale of love and misunderstanding
unfolds in class-conscious England near the close
of the 18th century. The five Bennet sisters –
Elizabeth, or Lizzie (Keira Knightley), Jane
(Rosamund Pike), Lydia (Jena Malone), Mary
(Talulah Riley), and Kitty (Carey Mulligan) – have
been raised well aware of their mother’s (two-time
Academy Award nominee Brenda Blethyn) fixation
on finding them husbands and securing set futures.
The spirited and intelligent Elizabeth, however,
strives to live her life with a broader perspective, as
encouraged by her doting father (two-time Golden
Globe Award winner Donald Sutherland).
When wealthy bachelor Mr. Bingley (Simon Woods) takes up residence in a nearby mansion, the
Bennets are abuzz. Amongst the man’s sophisticated circle of London friends and the influx of young
militia officers, surely there will be no shortage of suitors for the Bennet sisters. Eldest daughter Jane,
serene and beautiful, seems poised to win Mr. Bingley’s heart. For her part, Lizzie meets with the
handsome and – it would seem – snobbish Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen), and the battle of the sexes
is joined.
Their encounters are frequent and spirited yet far from encouraging. Lizzie finds herself even less
inclined to accept a marriage proposal from a distant cousin, Mr. Collins (Tom Hollander), and –
supported by her father – stuns her mother and Mr. Collins by declining. When the heretofore good-
natured Mr. Bingley abruptly departs for London, devastating Jane, Lizzie holds Mr. Darcy culpable for
contributing to the heartbreak. But a crisis involving youngest sister Lydia soon opens Lizzie’s eyes to
the true nature of her relationship with Mr. Darcy.
The ensuing rush of feelings leaves no one unchanged, and inspires the Bennets and everyone around
them to reaffirm what is most important in life. -- © Focus Features
Bennets are abuzz. Amongst the man’s sophisticated circle of London friends and the influx of young
militia officers, surely there will be no shortage of suitors for the Bennet sisters. Eldest daughter Jane,
serene and beautiful, seems poised to win Mr. Bingley’s heart. For her part, Lizzie meets with the
handsome and – it would seem – snobbish Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen), and the battle of the sexes
is joined.
Their encounters are frequent and spirited yet far from encouraging. Lizzie finds herself even less
inclined to accept a marriage proposal from a distant cousin, Mr. Collins (Tom Hollander), and –
supported by her father – stuns her mother and Mr. Collins by declining. When the heretofore good-
natured Mr. Bingley abruptly departs for London, devastating Jane, Lizzie holds Mr. Darcy culpable for
contributing to the heartbreak. But a crisis involving youngest sister Lydia soon opens Lizzie’s eyes to
the true nature of her relationship with Mr. Darcy.
The ensuing rush of feelings leaves no one unchanged, and inspires the Bennets and everyone around
them to reaffirm what is most important in life. -- © Focus Features
Brenda and David
Pride & Prejudice tells the story of the romance between Elizabeth Bennet (Kiera Knightley) and Mr.
Darcy (Matthew McFadyen). Knightley is enchanting as the headstrong and witty Elizabeth Bennet.
MacFadyen's performance as Darcy has a slow-burning chemistry with Knightley. Elizabeth's
parents steal the show. Brenda Blethyn is delightful as Mrs. Bennet and Donald Sutherland's
performance as Mr. Bennet is more reserved but no less entertaining. Director Joe Wright and
screenwriter Deborah Moggach managed to get so much of the novel into a film with a running time
of 128 minutes. I didn't have a lot of expectations for this film thinking "Do we need another
adaptation of Jane Austen's novel?" Take your love one to Pride & Prejudice, you will find plenty to
enjoy!
Pride & Prejudice tells the story of the romance between Elizabeth Bennet (Kiera Knightley) and Mr.
Darcy (Matthew McFadyen). Knightley is enchanting as the headstrong and witty Elizabeth Bennet.
MacFadyen's performance as Darcy has a slow-burning chemistry with Knightley. Elizabeth's
parents steal the show. Brenda Blethyn is delightful as Mrs. Bennet and Donald Sutherland's
performance as Mr. Bennet is more reserved but no less entertaining. Director Joe Wright and
screenwriter Deborah Moggach managed to get so much of the novel into a film with a running time
of 128 minutes. I didn't have a lot of expectations for this film thinking "Do we need another
adaptation of Jane Austen's novel?" Take your love one to Pride & Prejudice, you will find plenty to
enjoy!
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
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