wusmmik
01-08-2006, 08:43 PM
Pride and Prejudice Keira Knightley, Matthew MacFadyen, wr. Jane Austen (story), Deborah Moggach (scr), dir. Joe Wright
First things first, I'm not a huge fan of Jane Austen-Dickens either for that matter, their overwriting always left me a little dry. Second, these literary works transferred to the big screen are usually Oscar bait and lately that really distracts me from the pure joy of a good film. Third, most literary movies are conscious of their importance, again proving to be a distraction.
This version of "Pride and Prejudice" is the rare cinematic experience that brings the story to life. Two people are most responsible for this transformation, the first being new director Joe Wright who infuses the story with momentum by building characters quickly and keeping the camera moving to separate it from Merchant-Ivory films or better the beautiful portraiture and stillness that Ang Lee used to make "Sense and Sensibility" so great.
The main source of enjoyment is the amazing Keira Knightley. She lifts Lizzie from the page and puts her on screen in heartbreaking detail. Every line, every look, every glance of Lizzie's has a distinct purpose-and Knightley does them all perfectly allowing the actors around her to simply react to her. She provides the film with its heart and soul, and richly deserves her first Oscar nomination (of many in the future). The supporting cast is equally wonderful, her infuriating love Mr.Darcy is playing glumly by Matthew MacFadyen. While, her family is believeable too, especially her doting mother (Brenda Blethyn), her strong, silent father (Donald Sutherland) and all of her sisters, especially the radiant Rosamund Pike.
The cinematography in this film is perfect. Every shot is beautifully cast in light (even the mistaken one where her room is lit by a candle, and we see her shadow on the wall..whoops). Kudos to Roman Osin for keeping things moving when the story is in play and then letting the camera be still to capture the startling beauty of long background shots. The screenplay is great, the dialogue leaps from the characters mouths and somehow its labyrinthe plot seems simple by the film's conculsion. The music is gorgeous, whether it's score or Henry Purcell-I found myself always wanting more of the beautiful piano pieces that serve as its soundtrack.
Of course, you may think Jane Austen is not for you-but if you are a fan of real romance, you can't miss this beautiful film.
First things first, I'm not a huge fan of Jane Austen-Dickens either for that matter, their overwriting always left me a little dry. Second, these literary works transferred to the big screen are usually Oscar bait and lately that really distracts me from the pure joy of a good film. Third, most literary movies are conscious of their importance, again proving to be a distraction.
This version of "Pride and Prejudice" is the rare cinematic experience that brings the story to life. Two people are most responsible for this transformation, the first being new director Joe Wright who infuses the story with momentum by building characters quickly and keeping the camera moving to separate it from Merchant-Ivory films or better the beautiful portraiture and stillness that Ang Lee used to make "Sense and Sensibility" so great.
The main source of enjoyment is the amazing Keira Knightley. She lifts Lizzie from the page and puts her on screen in heartbreaking detail. Every line, every look, every glance of Lizzie's has a distinct purpose-and Knightley does them all perfectly allowing the actors around her to simply react to her. She provides the film with its heart and soul, and richly deserves her first Oscar nomination (of many in the future). The supporting cast is equally wonderful, her infuriating love Mr.Darcy is playing glumly by Matthew MacFadyen. While, her family is believeable too, especially her doting mother (Brenda Blethyn), her strong, silent father (Donald Sutherland) and all of her sisters, especially the radiant Rosamund Pike.
The cinematography in this film is perfect. Every shot is beautifully cast in light (even the mistaken one where her room is lit by a candle, and we see her shadow on the wall..whoops). Kudos to Roman Osin for keeping things moving when the story is in play and then letting the camera be still to capture the startling beauty of long background shots. The screenplay is great, the dialogue leaps from the characters mouths and somehow its labyrinthe plot seems simple by the film's conculsion. The music is gorgeous, whether it's score or Henry Purcell-I found myself always wanting more of the beautiful piano pieces that serve as its soundtrack.
Of course, you may think Jane Austen is not for you-but if you are a fan of real romance, you can't miss this beautiful film.