By my count, there are now more filmed versions of Pride and Prejudice than there are meaningful looks in all of Jane Austen's beloved novels. Perhaps this is because the core of the story is universal and has become the template for all modern romantic comedies. Two leads, who are far too attractive to not be together, antagonize each other through a series of dreadful misunderstandings until that fateful kiss at the end that has everyone living happily ever after. But as clichéd as the idea has become, Jane Austen's own take on it remains fresh, due in no small part to her delicate craftsmanship of subtle verbal combat. It's still a delight to listen to these characters go at it, and never more so than with Austen's heroine, Elizabeth (Keira Knightley).
Elizabeth, like all of her modern contemporaries, believes in true love, and while her sisters are married off one by one to aristocrats for that all-important sense of security, Lizzie is content to sit back and make derisive comments while she waits for something deeper. Knightley makes excellent use of the role, exuding power not only with every barbed comment she politely delivers with a smile, but also with those aforementioned meaningful looks, which often manage to say a whole lot more. Truth be told, Knightley's retort-toting Elizabeth comes across as a lot tougher, smarter and sexier than her shotgun-toting Domino. And it's a pleasure to watch the verbal sparring when she's presented with the ultimate foil, Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen).
MacFadyen portrays Darcy as unrelentingly dour and droopy-eyed. Though effective at first, this routine quickly becomes frustrating and tiresome.
And since their reluctant romance is the root of the whole affair, this version doesn't quite measure up to its five-hour BBC counterpart, with Colin Firth as a brooding Darcy, who seems fresh from the morgue.
But with sumptuous photography and brilliant supporting turns from Donald Sutherland and Brenda Blethyn (and Judi Dench in another Oscar-worthy frowning cameo), the latest Pride & Prejudice has plenty to offer. Ladies, you could do a lot worse as chick flicks go. And fellas, it'd be far better to get dragged to this than Domino. Seriously.