ThisFilmIsOn

When asked what my favourite movie was, I had a long hard think about what “favourite” means to me. My favourite movie changes on a weekly basis, depending what mood I’m in. But what is that one reliable film, that I can watch over and over again and never get tired of? To be honest there are many more credible and better movies out there, but for me favourite is the one film I put in my DVD player when I’m feeling poorly, had a bad day, just broke up with someone, or just bored. So, it is pretty clear this film has immense powers of cheering me up. Therefore fully deserving of my “favourite” film.

Ok so it’s an adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel and one of the most beloved books of all time. I still have my A’level copy on my book shelf with all the notes written in the margin and fell in love with the story then, however I’m not a big fan of reading unless I have an excess of free time, so the film does the job in 129 minutes and it does it, so so well.

The story is so familiar is hardly seems worth mentioning the plot, but I will anyway. Elizabeth Bennett is one of five sisters, whose mother is desperately trying to marry them off in the attempt to set them secure futures, four of our five sisters too can only seem to think of marraige. This is Sex in the City in the 19th century except our main protagonist Elizabeth Bennett is not interested in any of that nonsense, which is why I love her so so much. Lizzy is smart, witty, stubborn, spirited and quite frankly a bit of a smarty pants, unlike her sisters she wants more out of life; “only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony, which is why I shall die an old maid.” Until that day, which she appears to be in no rush for, she sets out to live her life with a broader perspective. That day comes when she meets Mr. Darcy, an aloof yet handsome gentleman who unintentionally offends her pride on their first meeting. Stubborn Lizzy makes her mind up about him immediately and as she is of “inferior birth,” Darcy has some real issues admitting his affections for her. So will they ever get over their pride and prejudice and get together?…

We are shown the story through Lizzy’s eyes. Director Joe Wright fully immerses us in her world, the sets and costumes are done with fine detail and the countryside is used to such an extent that Thomas Hardy would be proud. The set feels real and rustic, costumes are slightly dirty and little makeup appears to be used, an unromantic look is a good contrast and well needed so you can enjoy the story. Kiera Knightly does a fine job as Lizzy, bringing her tomboy, spirited charisma to life. She is so infectiously spirited and passionate that it’s impossible not to fall in love with her. There’s also genuine chemistry between her and Macfadyen (Darcy) which of course is pretty essential. The Bennett sisters are all sufficiently daft, Donald Sutherland is perfectly indifferent and Rosamund Pike is highly convincing as the beautiful but fragile Jane, every character is well researched and it shows on screen.

However my one true love, is Tom Hollander as Mr Collins who is dangerously close to stealing the show. Hollanders comic timing and shear brilliance at portraying the pretentious yet painfully socially inept Mr. Collins “what excellent boiled potatoes” makes me grin from ear to ear with every viewing. I love the romance, but his presence is a welcome break and a very well thought out balance by Wright, or copied by Wright as he is Austen’s creation. He is the personification and send up of the pompous suffocating etiquette of Victorian middle class England that Lizzy and more than likely Austen were fighting against. Therefore my only complaint is that Tom Hollander is the only piece of Austen’s wit they have taken from the book, as they have managed it so well why not use more? The book is rife with it, yet it’s only present in the Hollanders scenes. But perhaps in 129 minutes a snippet is all you need and our main characters must take center stage.

Austen’s novel, just like Lizzy is much more rounded and deeper than a love story, clearly a lot of time and effort has gone into getting it right and so it should. Great casting, beautiful long range shots of the Peak District and a lovely score, in depth characterisation, Tom Hollander’s David Brent of the late 1800′s and Dame Judy Dench’s final touch make this a truly inspirational story; about true love being rewarded only when you’re able to know your own values that I must say I find most agreeable.