Pride and Prejudice - a Movie Review from a Man's Perspective

The "top ten list" is a staple of modern media. Everyone has at least one, probably several. From top ten actors/actresses to top ten athletes to top ten movies. The subject matter is limitless. I'm sure someone out there has a top ten list of "top ten lists." Not to be outdone, I would like to discuss one of the films that is on my "top ten film list."

As a middle aged man, one might expect the standard action films with lots of explosions, some sort of monster and larger than life heroes would populate my list. Well, that's probably true - a couple examples that are favorites include Aliens, Terminator 2, Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Kahn and The Fifth Element. All are great films with big heroes and lots of explosions!

There's another film that is on my top ten list that is very different from those listed and that is the 2005 film, Pride and Prejudice. I am confident enough in my masculinity to declare that I think that this film is wonderful! So why does a middle aged 40-something man put Pride and Prejudice on his top ten list?

I have to admit that I have never read Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and probably never will. I've looked through Austen's Sense and Sensibility and the writing style is a bit much for me personally. I'll have to be content with movie adaptations of Austen's work.

There are so many elements from the film making standpoint that are very impressive about this film. First, as a guy, I have to admit that Keira Knightley is a beautiful woman, but her beauty is not overwhelming in the film. Miss Knightley has a simple elegance about her beauty and it is an important element in her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet. She portrays Elizabeth as a strong, independent woman, unafraid to speak her mind and stand her ground.

The musical score of Pride and Prejudice is brilliant, capturing the various moods and settings of the film. The scene of Elizabeth standing on the ledge, overlooking the countryside and the music that accompanies it is quite beautiful. The elegance of the score as Mr. Darcy walks toward Elizabeth through to morning mists toward the end of the film just works so well. Pride and Prejudice is a beautifully scored film; the music is an excellent match to the cinematography of the film.

The cinematography of Pride and Prejudice is stunning. From the intricately detailed sets to the sumptuous scenery of the English countryside; it is a visual feast of 1797 in rural England. Costumes are elegant and help to draw the viewer into the time period. Nearly everything filmed is on location in actual English buildings. The architecture thankfully still exists that draws the viewer into the England of 1797.

There are editing elements that are impressive as well in Pride and Prejudice. Two key examples that stand out are events at the second ball and a passage of time. During the ball at Netherfield, Elizabeth and Darcy dance together and become so engrossed in each other that, suddenly, they are dancing together in the ballroom alone, focused only on each other. The sudden shift from the crowded ballroom to a nearly empty ballroom draws the viewer into the relationship of Elizabeth and Darcy. This is a wonderfully edited scene that is skillfully done.

A later scene involves the passage of time. Elizabeth is sitting on swing, hanging in her family's barn, spinning slowly in a circle. The viewer sees the scene from Elizabeth's point of view and as the camera slows pans through a circle, the seasons change and the short scene captures a much longer passage of time.

While the music and cinematography are important to any film, the actors and actresses are essential. A pretty film can be ruined by poor acting. This is most definitely not the case for Pride and Prejudice. Every single actor or actress in the film is totally immersed in their role, from the mild mania of Mrs. Bennet, to the silly shenanigans of younger sisters, Kitty and Lydia, to the character of servant girl, Betsy. Even the extras throughout the entire film become believable characters and essential elements of 1797 England. The crowds at the two balls are all engaged in the dancing and chatter of these two social events. It is as if the camera is an invisible time traveling eavesdropper on that time period.

While there are probably goofs and editing errors in the film, I have never noticed any and I really don't care if there is. Pride and Prejudice is a wonderful film, populated with brilliantly portrayed characters, all set to a sumptuous musical score. And yes, this middle aged 40 something man admits, it is also a wonderful love story. Even a beautiful love story can find its way into a top ten movie list filed with explosions and monsters.

If you have never seen the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice, I highly recommend it! Go rent it now!