Decent Proposal
Pride and Prejudice
Review by Ross Anthony

Though a classic, I guess the title never allured me. Finally, and I’m not sure why, but a trailer for the 2005 version with Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFadyen usurped my attention. So I screened the DVD.

The best parts of the film are the punctuation. The moments away from all that rambling clever dialogue. The times with Keira Knightley, some spectacular backing scenery or landscapes, and the careful cinematographer. Four or five times, the film indulges in these beautiful moody sighs. I loved them.

But the rest of the time, everybody is trying so hard to say something so immensely clever, the one-upmanship is a bit tiresome. And I’d say distracting from the more visceral feelings of love. Probably, that’s why I appreciated the punctuation so much.

The acting is fine, though none stands out. The directing rather crisp. I enjoyed some of the more ambitious roving steadicam shots. Though a certain inconsistent zoom in out for short quick stints – bothered me. And early on, there’s just a little too much conversation taking place while people dance, the lines are delivered during offbeat moments. I found it annoying. Oh, as an American raised on “Monty Python” I fancy myself well adapted to the British tongue – however, I found this film audibley difficult.

Overall, though “Pride & Prejudice” as a title may imply something more (and perhaps in the book is), here it is essentially a soapy love story with supposedly clever dialogue. I admit my bias – I’m not much for soap.

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  • Pride and Prejudice. Copyright © 2005.
  • Starring Keira Knightley, Matthew MacFadyen, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland, Tom Hollander, Rosamund Pike, Jenna Malone, Judi Dench, Simon Woods, Kelly Reilly, Rupert Friend, Claudie Blakley, Cornelius Booth, Tamzin Merchant, Carey Mulligan, Talulah Riley.
  • Directed by Joe Wright.
  • Screenplay by Deborah Moggach. Based on the novel by Jane Austen.
  • Produced by Bevan, Eric Fellner, Paul Webster at Focus/Studio Canal/Working Title.

Grade..........................B- (1.5/4)


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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Monday, 13-Sep-2010 16:15:54 PDT