No prejudice or complaint

From the archive, first published Wednesday 28th Sep 2005.

Film review - Pride & Prejudice at the UGC Cinema, Great Park, Rubery

NOT a huge fan of romantic 'girly' films I went to see Pride & Prejudice having already decided I wasn't going to like it. I was wrong.

With so many previous adaptations of Jane Austen's best loved novel, it would have been difficult for director Joe Wright to stray far from the original without complaint. The film does justice to the story of Mrs Bennett's constant hope for marriage offers for her five daughters, at the centre of which is the growing inappropriate attraction between beautifully stubborn Elizabeth (Keira Knightley) and the mean and moody D'arcy (Matthew MacFadyen).

Although MacFadyen appears so moody at times it's difficult to understand why anybody would fall in love with him, the relationship between them is believable and even the hardest of hearts will be moved.

The film may be a little on the long side, with some scenes drawn out and so subtle it's a little uncomfortable.

The ending is disappointing, with quite an abrupt finish. However it is this scene with Knightley and Donald Sutherland (playing Mr. Bennet) that is extremely moving and will turn those who oppose romantic 'girly' films into fans.

Rating: 3.5/5 Siobhan Stowe

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