Pride and Prejudice

I think it is about time I write a blog on my favorite movie. Now, this is on the short version with Keira Knightley. I was too tired to watch the 5hrs one with Colin Firth last night. There is about a hundred different things I can discuss about this movie. Heck, I can probably quote most of it. Don't worry, though, I will do my best to narrow my thoughts down.
This 2005 version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice stars Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy. This movie doesn't stay hundred percent faithful to the book, but it definitely upped on the romance. Keira Knightley adds spunk to Elizabeth which I believe adds to the complexity of the character. Elizabeth is witty, beautiful, and wants more to life than finding a rich husband. She wants love. Matthew Macfadyen portrays Mr. Darcy as shy more than proud, which I believe goes a little against the character. Macfadyen's acting of Mr. Darcy has to compare to Colin Firth's depiction in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice. Sorry Macfadyen, but Colin Firth is the best Mr. Darcy.
As I stated earlier, this version has more romance. There are two scenes within the movie where you think Elizabeth and Darcy are going to kiss, but of course they don't. The proposal scene in the rain, while they are fighting, is quite intense and steamy. The scene towards the end where Elizabeth and Darcy happen by chance to run into each other in a field in the early part of the morning can't help but make you sigh. I won't go into much detail about these scenes for I want you to see for yourself.
There is an excellent cast along with Knightley and Macfadyen. There is Donald Sutherland (Mr. Bennet), Brenda Blethyn (Mrs. Benett), Judi Dench (Lady Catherine DeBourgh), Rosamund Pike (Jane Bennet), and Simon Woods (Mr. Bingley). Of course, the rest of the Bennet sisters are played fantastically. A little factoid, the girl who plays Lydia Bennet is the only American in a British cast. Woods kind of plays Mr. Bingley like a dork, but still lovable. Pike plays Jane like the angel Jane is supposed to be. The sisterly bond, though, between Elizabeth and Jane is lessened for they aren't quite in each others confidences as they are in the book.
Okay, I wrote too much didn't I? Sorry. I just love this movie (like you couldn't tell). I hope you will see it. I'm sure you girls will. :)