The Glorious version of Pride and Prejudice from director Joe Wright celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. There have been many screenings and the film well a success in its original release, has become quite a cult phenomena with a strong following and a very strong reputation. We last saw it on the big screen 3 years ago had an Alamo brunch screening. We didn't have the foresight those 3 years ago to include the brunch as part of our activity, an oversight that I regret to these days. This year's screening was also at the Alamo, and it was a movie watch party. The fans of the film came out in large numbers, there was not an empty seat in the house.
One of the things that happens at the movie watch parties is that there are props provided as we go in. We were given a handkerchief with an embroidered patch for Alamo, so that we could drop it in front of the troops as they marched by, and hopefully one of the handsome soldiers would pick it up and return it to us. We also had a small stuffed object in the form of a potato, with a face, and the phrase what excellent boiled potatoes embroidered on it. It was good for a laugh but not very practical. As I said everybody at the screening was just in a mood to share the experience and enjoy the romance.
When I wrote about this film last time I do think I focused on the creative direction of Joe Wright. The camera follows the actions of the characters in a way that is both organic and interesting, without drawing attention to itself. That is particularly notable in the dance scenes, but as I watch the film this time it was clear that this creativity was followed throughout the film and it certainly made the story flow very smoothly. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy do dance throughout the film in very different ways. Lizzy is at first enthusiastic and forceful, and then demure and indifferent. Mr. Darcy, is imperious and condescending, but he also eyes her at different times suggesting potential intimacy that he would never reveal in more obvious manner. The main characters are well serviced by the story.
I thought this time I would spend a little bit more energy on the supporting characters of the story. Mr. Bingham, played by Simon Wood, the original object of affection by the Bennett sisters, is at times doe eyed, and oblivious. His delightful awkwardness is accentuated by the actor's facial expressions and vocal cadence, which frequently ends up in a series of malaprops, stutters, and apologies. His friend Mr. Darcy must have been incredibly embarrassed by his befuddlement. The butt of most of the humor in the film, is the obtuse Mr. Collins, Tom Hollander, who while seeking a wife amongst the Bennett sisters, comes off as an officious prude, in spite of his attempts at being socially adept. It is clear that he is a climber of the social strata's, and the way he drops the name of his benefactor, makes him feel even more clumsy. He is a sincere man, with generally good intentions, but he is in over his head and never seems to notice. That he ends up married to Lizzie's close friend Charlotte, might be seen as a tragedy by some, but the actress playing Charlotte, Claudie Blakley, conveys a resolute cheerfulness about her new circumstances, and never once comes across as regretful. The two actors playing these parts were perfectly cast and performed.
I believe I may have said before, I think Donald Sutherland is the hero of the story as Elizabeth's father. He takes her side against her mother in Sutherlands delivery of the eloquent line where he says you will lose the affection of one of your parents if you decide either not to marry Mr. Collins or to marry Mr. Collins. Sutherlands final scenes as Mr. Bennett discussing with Lizzie the potential marriage to Mr. Darcy is warm and embracing, characteristics that have not usually been attributed to Donald Sutherland in other roles that here, he enthusiastically embodies a doting father, regretting the loss of his daughters to husbands. Brenda Blethyn as Mrs. Bennett, provides the other comic relief in the film , as her conniving plotting to bring her oldest daughter and Mr. Bingham together plays out. Blevins is both sly and obvious and the balance between those is the credit she deserves for her performance.
Judy Dench comes in in the last Acts as Mr. Collins benefactor, Lady Catherine de Bourg, and she does her customary job of excellently portraying a cold impersonal harridan. She certainly stands out as a character, but it is not much of a stretch from some of the other parts that she has played.
We will continue to return to this delightful version of Pride and Prejudice whenever we get the opportunity. It is an incredibly well directed film, with perfect casting, and excellent performance is by the leads. We are also incredibly lucky to get the terrific secondary cast, to fill out the parts that make this a more complete world. Oh and by the way, the boiled potatoes were excellent.
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