Pride & Prejudice

PRIDE & PREJUDICE (U)

D: Joe Wright

Focus Features/Working Title/Studio Canal (Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner & Paul Webster)

UK/US/France 2005

127 mins

Romance

W: Deborah Moggach [based on the novel by Jane Austen]

DP: Roman Osin

Ed: Paul Tothill

Mus: Dario Marianelli

PD: Sarah Greenwood

Keira Knightley (Elizabeth Bennet), Matthew McFadyen (Fitzwilliam Darcy), Brenda Blethyn (Mrs. Bennet), Donald Sutherland (Mr. Bennet), Tom Hollander (William Collins), Rosamund Pike (Jane Bennet), Jena Malone (Lydia Bennet), Judi Dench (Catherine de Bourgh)

There are some who think Jane Austen adaptations are best suited to a Sunday afternoon, enjoyed with a cup of Rosy Lee while viewing through rose-tinted glasses at the picturesque beauty of yesteryear.

This 2005 serves up a more realistic version of the text, with Keira Knightley playing free-spirited Elizabeth Bennett as she pines for a man to save her from spinsterhood.

The acting is fine in this version, particularly from Knightley in one of her best roles, but the plot is so ridiculously old-fashioned it can be summed up as "high society girl wants high society husband".

These 18th century sensibilities just don't have any relevance to the 21st century.

Fans of Austen will enjoy it, as will 16-year-old girls, everyone else will find it easy to fall asleep to (preferably after a hearty Sunday roast dinner).

6/10