KNIGHTLEY SHINES IN FIRST-TIME DIRECTOR JOE WRIGHT'S 'PRIDE'.Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic JOE WRIGHT'S ``Pride & Prejudice'' is the best Jane Austen adaptation ever to hit the big screen, a thrilling piece of cinema that announces both the arrival of a filmmaker (this is Wright's first feature) and an actress (Keira Knightley). Coming a decade after a landmark BBC BBC in full British Broadcasting Corp. Publicly financed broadcasting system in Britain. A private company at its founding in 1922, it was replaced by a public corporation under royal charter in 1927. treatment of the same material, the streamlined film overcomes questions about its necessity in its opening sequence, establishing itself with a potent blend of realism and romance, great ensemble acting and bravura bra·vu·ra n. 1. Music a. Brilliant technique or style in performance. b. A piece or passage that emphasizes a performer's virtuosity. 2. A showy manner or display. adj. 1. camera work. Even those resistant to yet another chapter of Austen - and let's face it, her novels, and their movie counterparts, all kind of blend together in the mind - will find it impossible to resist the heady, heartfelt treatment offered here. About that opening sequence: Wright's camera drifts into the Bennet bennet excludes the devil; used on door frames. [Medieval Folklore: Boland, 56] See : Protection household, where mother and father and five daughters live not in poverty exactly (by today's standards, the family manor looks positively idyllic), but in an earthiness earth·y adj. earth·i·er, earth·i·est 1. Of, consisting of, or resembling earth: an earthy smell. 2. Of or characteristic of this world; worldly. 3. that reflects the family's tenuous financial standing. The mother (Brenda Blethyn) is in a constant state of worry and motion; if her daughters don't start marrying soon, the family will be ruined. The father (Donald Sutherland) stays out of the way, hoping his daughters somehow overcome societal prejudice against their gender and make something of their minds. Headstrong head·strong adj. 1. Determined to have one's own way; stubbornly and often recklessly willful. See Synonyms at obstinate, unruly. 2. Resulting from willfulness and obstinacy. Elizabeth (Knightley) has done just that. Smart, spirited, fiercely independent, Lizzie promises herself that she won't be one to settle. When her older sister, Jane (Rosamund Pike Rosamund Pike (born 27 January 1979) is an English actress, best known for her portrayals of Bond villainess Miranda Frost in Die Another Day and Jane Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. ), meets the wealthy Mr. Bingley (Simon Woods Simon Woods is an English actor. He read English at Magdalen College, Oxford. He is perhaps best known for his role as Charles Bingley in Pride & Prejudice. Filmography
tr.v. pre·or·dained, pre·or·dain·ing, pre·or·dains To appoint, decree, or ordain in advance; foreordain. pre . But when Lizzie is introduced to the morose mo·rose adj. Sullenly melancholy; gloomy. [Latin m  r Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen), an instant dislike is
established.
Says Darcy: ``She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt tempt v. tempt·ed, tempt·ing, tempts v.tr. 1. To try to get (someone) to do wrong, especially by a promise of reward. 2. me.'' Says Elizabeth: ``I will loathe him for eternity.'' Which means, of course, that they are meant for each other. The pleasure of the movie comes from the push and pull, waiting for Darcy and Elizabeth to realize their destiny. And because they initially misread mis·read tr.v. mis·read , mis·read·ing, mis·reads 1. To read inaccurately. 2. To misinterpret or misunderstand: misread our friendly concern as prying. each other, and because of complications within their own families, this takes some time - basically, an entire movie. But these aren't run-of-the-mill, romantic-comedy obstacles to be overcome. Darcy and Elizabeth must ultimately prove themselves to be worthy of the other - no small challenge, since these are two of the most noble characters in the history of romantic literature. Wright wrings every ounce of emotion out of the story, which isn't all that surprising, given his impeccable credentials on several BBC miniseries. What is almost shocking is his finesse with the camera. (To reiterate: It's his first movie.) There's a stunning sequence midway through the film that takes place at a costume ball where, in a long, unbroken take, Wright's camera flits through a mansion, capturing character-revealing conversations and emotions high and low. Lesser filmmakers would spend 15 minutes trying, and failing, to accomplish what Wright does here in this glorious set piece. Yet, Wright knows when to pull back and let his actors do the heavy lifting, using close-up shots later in the film when the emotions become particularly intense. It's here that Knightley fulfills her promise, letting us feel Elizabeth's conflicting emotions in ways that are palpable and true. She also has a beautifully touching father-daughter scene late in the film with Sutherland that, in and of itself, should win both actors Oscar nominations. And they shouldn't be alone. Wright, screenwriter Deborah Moggach Deborah Moggach is a British writer, born Deborah Hough on 28 June 1948. She has written sixteen novels to date, including The Ex-Wives, Tulip Fever, and, most recently, These Foolish Things. and cinematographer Roman Osin all turn in stellar work. Academy voters usually swoon over costume-drama period pieces. With ``Pride & Prejudice,'' the honors, for once, would be deserved. Glenn Whipp, (818) 713-3672 glenn.whipp(at)dailynews.com PRIDE & PREJUDICE - Four stars (PG: mild thematic elements) Starring: Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland. Director: Joe Wright. Running time: 2 hr. 7 min. Playing: In wide release. In a nutshell: Stunning cinematic treatment of the Jane Austen classic that's a potent blend of romance and realism. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Matthew Macfadyen and Keira Knightley star in ``Pride & Prejudice,'' a masterful adaptation of Jane Austen's novel. |
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