Most
fans of Austen and Austen adaptations are eager to hail this miniseries as the
definitive Pride and Prejudice,
possibly the quintessential Austen
adaptation of any of her works, and with good reason. Between the faithful storytelling, incredible
acting, and all-around Austeny goodness, it’s hard to go wrong with this one.
Standard
Pride and Prejudice plot rundown: the five daughters of the Bennet family are
thrilled to discover the arrival of Mr. Bingley, a fabulously wealthy, decided
single landowner, to the neighborhood.
Elizabeth Bennet is delighted to see the amiable gentleman take a liking
to her older sister Jane, but she immediately crosses swords with his friend,
the proud, reserved Mr. Darcy. It
doesn’t take Darcy long to rethink his first impression of Lizzy, but it’s much
harder for him to shake her
unfavorable view of him.
I’m
fully capable of enjoying film-length Austen adaptations (like the ‘90s
versions of Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma,) and the good ones never feel
rushed or trimmed up in their narratives, but there’s just something to be said
about a great miniseries. The extra
hours feel almost indulgent, luxurious, like there’s all the time in the world
to unfurl the story and tell it right.
In this way, Pride and Prejudice
can take time to breathe in the little character moments, and more minor
characters like Col. Fitzwilliam or the Gardiners feel more real than they
might in a film. The world feels fuller,
truer, and the story takes us on a leisurely journey through it.
It’s
not perfect – I know Mrs. Bennet is supposed to be shrill, but at times, Alison
Steadman is too much for words, I think the screenplay tips its hand a little
too much re: Darcy in the second half, and I’m not quite satisfied with Adrian
Lukis as Mr. Wickham – but really, these are quibbles. It’s still the adaptation I hold all other
versions of Pride and Prejudice up
to, and for me, it’s no contest (although the Elizabeth Garvie miniseries from
1980 is also excellent.)
There’s
terrific acting pretty much all around.
Special mention goes to Julia Sawalha as Lydia, Susannah Harker (Angie
from Ultraviolet) as Jane, Crispin
Bonham-Carter as Mr. Bingley, David Bamber as Mr. Collins, and Anna Chancellor
(Lix from The Hour) as Caroline
Bingley. Also, Joanna David, a former
Austen heroine heroine (Elinor in the 1970s Sense
and Sensibility) has a small role as Mrs. Gardiner.
But
let’s be real. This is all about Jennifer Ehle as Lizzy and
Colin Firth as Darcy. She’s
effervescent, arch, and winning while still playing Lizzy’s faults honestly,
and he deftly handles the balance between Darcy’s standoffishness and the truer
nature that starts to reveal itself as his feelings for Lizzy grow
stronger. Both play their characters to
perfection, and together, they light up the screen. If I was romantic or sexual, these two would
own me even more than they already do.
Warnings
(Very)
veiled sexual references and a little drinking.
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