Austen fans (heck, anyone) MUST see this movie...

I loved Jane Austen's _Pride and Prejudice_ and was very happy to see that the BBC version did justice to the story and its characters. Now, I'm a pretty picky person when it comes to movie adaptations of books, and rarely do I like a movie version as much as I liked the book version. (_Joy Luck Club_ and _Fried Green Tomatoes_ are two prime examples) But overall, this movie version was excellent.

A quick and rough summary for those who are not familiar with the plot... The Bennets are a moderately well-off family (but not rich) who have a particular problem. There are five daughters and no sons, meaning that after Mr. Bennet passes away, the inheritance will go to a male cousin--so the girls must marry, and marry well. Oldest daughter Jane is encouraged by the exuberant Mrs. Bennet (whose goal in life is to see all her girls married) to welcome the attentions of Mr. Bingley, a rich young bachelor who has moved into the area. Meanwhile, daughter Elizabeth clashes with the Mr. Bingley's friend, Mr. Darcy, who is even wealthier and just as handsome, but who scorns the Bennet family's background and lack of class. Arguments, snide remarks and scandal follows, in which many of the characters discover that "first impressions" (the original title of Austen's book) aren't always what they seem.

The story is just what the title says it is, and more. Austen's gift for wry humor and clever characters is well known, and Elizabeth Bennet (played by Jennifer Ehle) is one of the best examples of both. Ehle does a fine job of balancing Elizabeth's wit and beauty, loyalty and virtue, etc. that her quick temper doesn't detract at all from her likeability as a person. After I seeing this, I was no longer able to think of anyone else in that role when I read the book. Actor Colin Firth, who plays the proud Mr. Darcy, is another bright star in this movie. Admittedly, Darcy's conceit does, at times, make him a difficult character to like, but part of the point in the story is watching his real personality slowly revealed. Firth does a great job in portraying the aloof Darcy who is honorable almost to a fault, and manages to make him a sympathetic character even when Elizabeth doesn't find him quite so appealing.

The supporting actors are not quite as strong, but still very good. Mrs. Bennet (Alison Steadman) is a rather over-the-top character whose mock swoons and wailings might get on one's nerves, but the campiness also serves to give audiences a clue as to how truly awful she and her other daughters must appear to people like Darcy. Another gratingly bubbly performance is Julie Sawalha (perhaps better known as Saffron, the put-upon daughter in British comedy _Absolutely Fabulous) as Lydia Bennet, the girl who creates a scandal by running off with an officer of ill repute. Solid, if somewhat unremarkable performances are also turned in from the actors who play Mr. Bennet and Mr. Bingley. There are also delicious love-to-hate-'em characters in this movie like THE Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Bingley's catty sisters, and Mr. Collins, the obsequious cousin who stands to inherit the Bennets' house and goods.

I enjoyed seeing the interactions between Elizabeth and Darcy most of all. While what goes on is essentially a love story, it is not one with intelligence. Elizabeth Bennet gives as good as she gets, and she's not afraid to speak her mind, even to the battle-axe Lady Catherine, who fears Elizabeth's entanglement with her nephew Darcy. Darcy's confrontations--both with Elizabeth and with himself--are wonderful. You definitely get the feeling that there is more going on beneath the surface of this character, and you grow to like him despite his overwhelming pride.

There are many other things to praise about this movie, including beautiful scenery, costuming, etc. etc. But to tell you the truth, I barely noticed when I first saw it. Everything just fit in so naturally, with all the elements of writing, acting and setting working together so smoothly, I took it for granted that the end result is a gem of a movie.
It does not bother me at all that it is five hours long. (I almost wish it were longer!) While it is not an action movie in the popular sense of the word, there is always something happening. Austen's lively style and humor show through everywhere, and the pacing of the movie is very good. There weren't really points where I thought the producers were dragging things out too long. I don't have the attention span of a gerbil, mind you, but it takes quite a great deal to keep me interested for that long and _Pride and Prejudice_ did just that.

I believe the movie version stays very true to the book, yet you do not have to be an Austen fan to appreciate it. It stands well enough on its own as a fine movie, and I recommend it to anyone who would enjoy a story of a slightly prickly, old-fashioned romance with sly wit and strong male and female characters.