Pride & Prejudice
Terri
. . . When this movie first came out, I was warned by many that it could not be as good as the A & E version, which is a classic in our house. One of my daughters has watched the six hour series at least six times, probably twelve.
. . . . I would not say that it was as good, but considering that this was a two hour portrayal vs. a much longer period of time, I would nevertheless put it somewhere on the continuum between excellent and superb.
. . . . This two hour movie portrayal was true to the story, except for the ending, which I must rate separately, as you'll see below. So, what we really have to do to enjoy this analysis is to rate the A & E characters with their 2005 movie counterparts. If you happen to be a Pride & Prejudice afficianado, as I am it will be an enjoyable task.
. . . . What I am talking about here is a comparison of the acting:
| Actor/actress | A&E | new |
| Elizabeth Bennett | A+ |
A+ |
| Mr. Darcy | A |
B |
| Jane Bennett | B- |
B |
| Mr. Collins | A |
B- |
| The girls' father | A- |
B+ * |
| The girls' mother | A- |
B |
| Lady Katherine | A |
A |
| Lydia | B- |
B+ |
| Mr. Wickam | A+ |
undeveloped |
*Note: Donald Southerland's portrayal of Mr. Bennett may have been truer to the novel, which made him less likable as a person. Since he was not very likable in the movie version it may have affected my assessment of his acting, which might not be entirely fair.
. . . . Most astounding to me was the portrayal by Keira Knightley of Miss Elizabeth Bennett. I thought she had no chance to match the A & E version, but I was wrong. They were both A+ convincing and appealing characters.
. . . . Now for a discussion of the ending, which is controversial. I side with the British and say the "test audience version" was not true to the book and therefore tacky and nauseating. I give the ending a D+, but an A for the balance of the movie which appears before that for a net score of A-.
. .........Defintely a thumbs up!
. . .How would you rate this review?
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. . . Terri was reluctant to see this movie, because she didn't think it could "hold a candle" to the A & E version, but admitted afterwards that she had been mistaken and that the screenwriter and cast had done a respectable job--"Much more than I had expected."
. . . Thumbs up for Terri.
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