A while ago, I finished Pride & Prejudice and it was just as lovely as I knew it was going to be! I am here to review the lovely book for you and then do some thoughts on the 1995 movie version vs. the 2005 version. I'm sorry, I meant to get this out a while ago, but life has been crazy! Here we go:
Pride & Prejudice - by Jane Austen
When the great house, Netherfield, is taken up by a Mr. Bingley, Mrs. Bennet hopes that he will choose one of her five daughters for a wife. Mr. Bingley brings his good friend, Mr. Darcy, with him and everyone soon agrees he is the proudest man ever to be seen.
Genre: Romance
Characters: 9, I love with Jane Austen's characters that no one is perfect. It is so true, and it makes them very easy to relate to.
My Favorites:
Elizabeth Bennet, who can't love her! 'Her heart did whisper, that he had done it for her.'
Jane Bennet, she is so full of goodness!
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, they are hilarious!
Mr. Bingley, he is so sweet!
Mr. Darcy, he grows on you.
"I often think," said she, "that there is nothing so bad as parting with one's friends. One seems so forlorn without them."
Words: 9, there are a few bad words, but not too bad. The most surprising thing I thought was the sarcasm! One of the quotes I had always heard, was said in sarcasm. Is Jane Austen trying to say something here?
Also, there is a Shakespeare reference!
Storyline: 8, there is talk and action of eloping, but the rest is a beautiful story! You can't go wrong on Austen!
Overall Score: 9!
VS.
Pride & Prejudice (2005):
When a rich stranger comes to town all the thoughts of the young ladies are of marriage. Some find out there is more to it that that. And that pride can be overrated.
"In this adaptation of Jane Austen's beloved novel, Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) lives with her mother, father and sisters in the English countryside. As the eldest..." What!? Elizabeth is NOT the eldest!!! Jane is!
Costumes: 4, I am sorry, but they are terrible. Everyone is so dirty, to fancy balls everyone wears nightgowns, everyone walks around in there pajamas, when Elizabeth is told to put on her best she puts on the ugliest dress I have ever seen! Hardly anyone is wearing gloves! The costumes all look like they are from colonial times! And don't get me started on every one's hairstyles.
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| See what I mean? |
"We are all fools in love."
Directed by: Joe Wright
Produced by:
Tim Bevan
Eric Fellner
Paul Webster
Screenplay by:
Deborah Moggach
Emma Thompson (uncredited)
Starring: 8,
Keira Knightly as Elizabeth Bennet
Rosamund Pike as Jane Bennet
Donald Sutherland as Mr. Bennet
Simon Woods as Mr. Bingley
Kelly Reilly as Caroline Bingley
Tom Hollander as Mr. Collins
Matthew MacFadyen as Mr. Darcy
Judi Dench as Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Tamzin Merchant as Georgiana Darcy
Carey Mulligan as Kitty Bennet
Claudie Blakley as Charlotte Lucas
Jena Malone as Lydia Bennet
Talulah Riley as Mary Bennet
Brenda Blethlyn as Mrs. Bennet
Rupert Friend as Mr. Wickham
Penelope Wilton as Mrs. Gardener
I'm sorry, but all these characters are so important that I had to list them all.
More on these characters below. ↓
Music: 9, not too bad!
Quotes: 7, "What excellent boiled potatoes!"
Notes: This time period is all wrong! The time period is supposed to be the late sixteenth to early seventeenth century England. This is like it is colonial America. What is with the chickens and pigs (in the house!) everywhere!?
In the story there is some eloping.
Overall Score: 6.
VS.
Pride & Prejudice (1995):
Based on the novel by Jane Austen.
The story of Elizabeth Bennet and her family. How so many things can happen, pride, love, prejudice.
Genre: Romance. Period Drama,
Costumes: 9.
Script: 9.
Directed by: Simon Langton
Screenplay by: Andrew Davies
Starring (get ready for it, I will list ALL of them):
Jenifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet
Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy
Susannah Harker as Jane Bennet
Julia Sawalha as Lydia Bennet
Alison Steadman as Mrs. Bennet
Benjamin Whitrow as Mr. Bennet
Crispin Bonham-Carter as Mr Bingley
Polly Maberly as Kitty Bennet
Lucy Briers as Mary Bennet
Anna Chancellor as Miss Bingley
Lucy Robinson as Mrs. Hurst
Rupert Vansittart as Mr. Hurst
Adrian Lukis as Wickham
David Bamber as Mr. Collins
Lucy Scott as Charlotte Lucas
Lucy Davis as Maria Lucas
Emilia Fox as Georgiana Darcy
Barbara Leigh-Hunt as Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Tim Wylton as Mr. Gardiner
Joanna David as Mrs. Gardiner
Nadia Chambers as Miss Anne de Bourgh
David Bark-Jones as Lt. Denny
Lynn Farleigh as Mrs. Phillips
Christopher Benjamin as Sir William Lucas
Norma Streader as Lady Lucas
Paul Moriarty as Col. Forster
Victoria Hamilton as Mrs. Forster
Anthony Calf as Colonel Fitzwilliam
Music: 10! Here is what each episode starts with:
Music by: Carl Davis.
Quotes: 9,
Storyline: 8, This is so close to the book! It is wonderful!
Good For: People who like romance, people who like Jane Austen,
Overall Score: 9!
Comparing Characters (1995 vs. 2005):
1. Elizabeth Bennet, "Obstinate, headstrong, girl."
She portrays Elizabeth perfectly. She gives her all the wit and cleverness that Elizabeth has. She gives perfect facial expressions.
2005: Keira Knightley
I really think Keira is just right for playing Elizabeth. But, in only 2 hours we aren't able to see her character to the full extent of excellence. And, someone could style her hair a bit differently.
2. Mr. Darcy, "The proudest most disagreeable person she had ever seen."
He really captures how Darcy is from the beginning to the end. He shows how proud he is, and how loving he is.
2005: Matthew MacFadyen
He is a pretty good actor for this part, he just needed more time. They kind of rushed through the storyline too quickly to put him at his best.
3. Jane Bennet, “My dear Jane, you are too good!”
2005: Rosamund Pike
Really, I think both of these actresses do a really good job!
4. Mary Bennet, "Mary's powers were by no means fitted for such a display."
She has it all the way down to the remarks that make no sense. I actually wrote about how I'm like her HERE.
2005: Talulah Riley
She didn't really do Mary Bennet. Mary Bennet is the one who makes the strangest remarks. Talulah just was very quiet and shy and more in the character of Jane Bennet.
5. Kitty Bennet, “I have as much right to be asked as she has, and more too, for I am two years older!”
Don't worry Kitty, you'll get mentioned too.
This is Kitty for you.
2005: Carey Mulligan
She did an pretty good job, but she didn't complain enough.
6. Lydia Bennet, “We meant to treat you all, but you must lend us the money, for we have just spent ours at the shop out there.”
2005: Jena Malone
They both did her perfectly!
7. Mr. Bennet, "Oh, Mr. Bennet!"
The perfect Mr. Bennet. He says the right lines, gives the right looks, and puts the right amount of silliness in him.
2005: Donald Sutherland
What is with his long hair? What is with his obsession with exotic plants? This actor just makes him seem confused all the time.
8. Mrs. Bennet. "Oh my poor nerves!"
The silliest mother ever, she plays her perfectly.
2005: Brenda Blethyn
She would have done a good job, but Mrs. Bennet would not fall asleep while eating on the couch.
9. Mr. Bingley
He does such a good job! He is so cheery and happy and Mr. Bingley!
2005: Simon Woods
He just is not Mr. Bingley. He does the silliest things, not at all in a Mr. Bingley way. Don’t get me started on the hair. Cordy says it better.
10. Caroline Bingley, "Excuse my interference: it was kindly meant."
Oh yes indeed. She really plays her well!
2005: Kelly Reilly
She was a little too quiet, but besides that, perfect!
11. Georgiana Darcy
Just the right amount of shyness and sweetness!
2005: Tamzin Merchant
What in the world happened here. Georgiana's character is that she is SUPER shy! In this movie, she comes bounding up and says, "Oh hello! We are going to be such good friends!" or something like that. That is not right at all!!
12. Mr. Collins
That cheesy grin is so great. And the way he says, "Lady Catherine de Bourgh", you can't ever say it another way!
2005: Tom Hollander
He was way too quiet, and too short. In the book it says, "He was a tall, heavy looking young man of five and twenty.
13. Charlotte Lucas
Charlotte, just taking it as it comes calmly.
2005: Claudie Blakley
She would have been good but she yelled at Lizzy? That doesn't make any sense.
14. Lady Catherine de Bourgh, "I must have my share in the conversation!"
Excellent!
2005: Judi Dench
She was an excellent actress, but she kept appearing at the weirdest moments.
15. Mr. Wickham
Pretty good!
2005: Rupert Friend
I'll admit, I didn't like how he looked just looking at the picture, but he actually is quite good! But, he wasn't in regimentals the first time they saw him.
16. Mrs. Gardiner
2005: Penelope Wilton
They both did a really good job!!
17. Colonel Fitzwillaim
"Perfect, just perfect." What was that? Wrong movie "MovieCritic"! But really, he is great!
2005: Cornelius Booth
I'm sorry, but I actually screamed, "Who in the world is that!?" when I first saw him. This actor does not fit the part at all.
The Book, and the 1995 version win!
Special thanks to my sister who helped make the pictures with the words!
Thank you so much for reading! Please tell me why you love these movies, and the book!
MovieCritic
I've never seen the 1995 version, but I agree with a lot of the complaints that you had for the 2005 version.
ReplyDeleteThe 2005 version is a perfect example of the director having liberties with the story.
The novel is actually supposed to be set in the early 1800s, (not the late 1500s-early 1600s) but Joe Wight hated the Empire dresses, so he scaled back the time period to the 1780s. And a lot of other scenes - such as the letter scene - were his "take" on it. I strongly disliked the fact that many of the pivotal scenes everyone was running around in nightgowns. It's just NOT RIGHT. I listened to the director's commentary a few times after watching the movie several times, and it is clear that the guy was a little koo-koo.
The only reason I keep watching this version is because I like Keira and Matthew's chemistry. And I think it's one of the first movies I bought with my own money.
Good reviews!
Catherine
catherinesrebellingmuse.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for your comment Catheirine! It made my day!
DeleteIt is crazy the difference between the two! You really must see the 1995, it is so close to the book!
Hated the Empire dresses!? Wow, he and I are really different, I love the Empire dresses! Yes, everyone is running around in their nightgowns all the time, and Lady Catherine de Bourgh coming in the middle of the night is not right! Wow, he does sound a little koo-koo.
I do think that they make a good Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy (except the ending scene!) I wish there was more in the movie so we could see them together more!!
Once again, thank you Catherine!!!
I've seen all of these! And in my mind the book is always better. And what is up with the nightgowns, just, no.
ReplyDeleteThe book is the best almost always!!! Couldn't they come up with something better than just those nightgowns?
DeleteThanks for your comment Gray!
Right on MovieCritic! The 2005 version drove me nuts XP
ReplyDeleteThe book is AMAZING. And the 1995 is SO CLOSE to the book, I. LOVE. IT.
I really liked how you compared the characters too!
Very nice review MovieCritic!
Thank you! I do not know what Joe Wright was thinking!
DeleteIt is on my five favorite books list! I was so impressed of how amazing the book was!
Thank you, it took me a while!
Aw, Thank you so much Miss Woodhouse!
Agreed. AGREED. AAAGGREEEEEED.
ReplyDeleteSO HOW MUCH TIME TO I HAVE TO AGREE WITH EVERYTHING IN HERE?!
First of all, did they really put Lizzy as the eldest in 2005?? What?? Ok??? UmmMMm no???
YES THE COSTUMES AND HAIRSTYLES ARE TERRIBLE. Nobody dressed like that in Regency England, a lot of the costumes are Georgian and modern, and the hair??? There were maybe 3 accurate hairstyles in the whole movie. Lizzy wearing her hair down?? No!!??
Also. Something else. The spelling of Elizabeth's nickname. They spell it Lizzie in 2005, so I've heard. No, Jane Austen said Lizzy and so it is!
But yes, the time period is just allll wrong and awful! Aaah!
See, the scenery is the one good quality I'll admit to in Fake P&P. It is a gorgeous movie.
Yes, yes, yes, the inaccuracy!!! Like, come ON! It's just AAAUUGH.
(My comment is making a splendid amount of coherent sense, isn't it? Quite.)
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 1995 IS THE BEST ONE, IT IS PERFECT, THE END.
Agreed with most of your character comparisons. I believe I was a little harsher than you, heehee. :D
(Really, I'm pretty sure my main thing against the 2005 Caroline Bingley is that she forgot to put her dress on for the ball. Poor girl, doesn't she know that's called a *shift*?)
MUST AGREE WITH GEORGIANA. Like what was that??? WHO was that??
OH yes I'd forgotten the Colonel! Perhaps I didn't even know it was he! Haha.
Yes, the book and 1995 win. Every time. Completely and totally. The end.
THANKS FOR MAKING THIS PERFECT POST!!!
Oh my word! Rae, this comment made my day! Thank you so much!!!
Delete(1000 appologizes for this reply being over 5 months late!!! I cannot tell you how sorry I am!!!!)
The question I ask to the 2005 version is: "If Lizzy was the oldest, why did Mrs. Bennet try to get Jane married first? In the book, she wants Jane because she is 'the prettiest' but also because she is the eldest!!!"
OH YES. WORST COSTUMES EVER. (Okay, maybe not that bad...) They are terrible! And having your hair down was scandalous! Why would Lizzy do something like that!!??
Wait, what!! Now that is outragous! It will always be Lizzy!
When it comes to things like that, you wonder if anyone who made the movie actually read the book...
Yes, the scenery and music are the ONLY good things about the movie.
What were they thinking!!????
(No, it makes perfect sense! I love this comment!)
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!! When will film makers get that into their heads???
I wanted to be harsher, but my little sister told me I couldn't be buased and had to think about each character. I am still "biased".
No wonder Mr. Bingley had to stay with her. If she had gone out into the world by herself people would think she was mad! I feel sorry for her.
Exactly! Who was that?
My little sister disn't know who he was, but once my older sister and I explained, she was shocked, too!
Every time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awww! Thank you so much! That is so sweet of you! I am just so sorry that this reply is so late
Why is everyone saying that the music in 2005 was the best? It was good, but the music in 1995 is just fantastic and fits the story much better!
ReplyDeleteHands down the 1995 one is the BEST! I watched the 1995 one first and then the 2005, and tbh I don't think I would've understood the whole story just by watching the 2005 one.
ReplyDeleteI also watched Sense and Sensibility from 1995 and I got like a brain-overload. ;)
I think that either they have to cram everything into a specific amount of time (a few hours), OR they can make it with more quality, more accurate and faithful to the book (quotes, etc.), and more understandable and easier to process.