03/04/06 Pride & Prejudice

Pride & Prejudice (2005), directed by Joe Wright

watched w/ Leslie; DVD rental (North American Video) @ home

Oh joy, another adaptation of a Jane Austen novel. Why does it seem that every year, like pornos, these period pieces are pumped out of the film industry at the rate of one a day? The most annoying part of the whole thing is that people eat it up, and love every second of the British acting (false accent or not, or is it naught?...since we're faking British with adding extra letter u's in places). Anyway, I'm not buying into the hype. Unfortunately (or rather fortunately) I have not read the Austen novel of Pride & Prejudice, but it seems to be one of the more likable ones out there. Keira Knightley plays the prominent role, the second oldest sister of 5 that all come from a poor (come on, everyone still tries to be high society) family that are trying to secure a profitable and happy future by marrying off all the sisters to wealthier suitors. It's a horrible way to live if you ask me...arranged marriages, caring terribly about class systems and image, and basically prostituting out your daughters off to any man with a wallet. But hey, with tons of witty Shakespearean banter and pretty actors, it's classic fare right? Maybe I'm being to harsh or simple-minded to a classic, but it's just an ok story. It's great that Knightley's character stands up for herself in this time to express true emotions and feelings of love & hate. It's those nagging title words of pride & prejudice however that keep it from happening. She then falls for the man she loathes...an ugly John Cusack with chops, all the while defending her family's dignity. It's an ok movie of a subject that I'm sure has been cranked out over a million times already. So, if you enjoy that kind of repetitive nature, by all means sink your teeth into this one.

3 out of 5 stars