09 April 2011

Lovely, lovely!



















No matter how many times I watch this film, Pride & Prejudice still holds up as the most romantic film I have ever seen. Keira Knightley puts up a splendid performance, with the supporting cast keeping up quite nicely. You can feel the tension, the happiness, and the frustrations between characters, and you want them to make it.

The elements I most admire about this work of art (and possibly the biggest reasons I find the film so romantic) are Joe Wright's absolutely remarkable cinematography, and Dario Marianelli's brilliant original score. Honestly, even the costumes, hairstyles, storyline, and characters wouldn't be quite as fleshed out in their believable elegance without the glorious scenery and riveting music. Bloody gorgeous!

Even upon reading the book almost 5 years ago (after I first watched it), I still preferred the film on so many levels. Jane Austen was a real talent indeed, but her hugely famous novel simply lacked the gripping, colorful qualities of the film (you know, the arguments in the rain, the subtle glimpses and gestures, the vivid sunsets, Keira Knightley...)

In short, this is a film for the ages. The kind of film that gets -bafflingly- ignored at the Oscars, but is a favorite among the drawing-rooms of the laymen. Cheers, Mr. Wright! You have accomplished what all filmmakers brag of but never fulfill: a film that can truly be watched again, and again, and again.

1 comment:

  1. I have yet to see this one...
    Have you watched the BBC version with Colin Firth? It was really good...
    The book, of course, is always the best...
    :)

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