and very feminist for her time as well. I hate that people who don't know about her or books properly disregard her work as basically Nora Roberts-kind-of-kitch when it's anything but
My favorite under-appreciated line didn’t make this reaction. It’s at the end when Mr. Bennett says “If any young men come for Mary or Kitty, send them in, for I am quite at my leisure.” Chef’s kiss!
matthew macfadyen embodies mr. darcy in a way that no other actors have ever been able to thus far. definitely the best mr. darcy. looks, sounds, and acts like i imagine he would.
Лучше не сравнивать. Они оба круто играют. Фильмы и жанры немного изменились, Джо Райт вообще снимает как то по особенному. Но голос Мэттью это ответит только мой дофамин. Он бесподобен...❤️🔥я интуитивно давно люблю этот голос и держу плейлист певцов с похожим тембром голоса
absolutely...He showed his humility and uncertainty when he was around Elizabeth until he won her heart at the end...I have been a huge fan Matthew MacFadyen for years...I was a big fan of his wife, Keeley Hawes, long before that!
Exactly! It's not just about the electricity of their physical contact. It's also the scandalous nature of the skin to skin contact on the first place. Gloves were worn not just for fashion but to make sure that the two people's skin never made contact. Which is why if a gentleman kiss the lady's hand she was wearing a glove, if she was not wearing a glove the kiss would be in the air over her hand. Unmarried men and women did not touch like that.
I'm not sure if anyone commented this already, but the scene wear Mr Darcy helps Lizzin into the carriage and their hands touch and after it shows him kinda stretching his hand is because in Regency society you almost never had skin to skin contact with the opposite sex; you'd pretty much always be wearing gloves when you did. So it was kinda a "sexy" (to a Regency person) moment, so to speak.
I make costumes and clothing by trade. I once had a client who happened to be the spitting image of Mr Bingley. He ordered a Mr Bingley outfit to wear when meeting his girlfriend at the airport. (the plan was to propose, she accepted) This film is well loved, and Austen's work in particular.
Spitting image of Mr Bingley which then also implies spitting image of the actor who plays him that's just like that guy who looks almost exactly like Ed Sheeran
11:58: "It's almost like everybody else disappeared and they were actually concentrated on each other". I agree. Gone with the Wind did a similar dance scene between Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara.
Yes, you are right. The entire film was shot on location in real historic houses and landscapes across England, and I have been lucky enough to visit them all. For example: - 19:23 Chatsworth House, Derbyshire (Darcy’s Home), - 20:35 Double Cube Room of Wilton House, Wiltshire (the only interior in Darcy’s Home that wasn’t filmed inside Chatsworth), - 14:37 Burghley House, Lincolnshire (Lady Catherine’s Home), - 17:51 Stourhead Gardens, Wiltshire (Lady Catherine’s gardens), - 6:19 Basildon Park, Berkshire (Bingley’s Home), - 3:33 Groombridge Place, Kent (Bennet Home), - 14:21 Weekley Village, Northamptonshire - the 17th century Almshouse (Mr. Collins’ Home) - 8:24 Stamford, Lincolnshire (The Bennet’s local town of Meryton), - 20:52 Haddon Hall, Derbyshire (The Inn they were staying at whilst touring Derbyshire).
adding a note about my favorite scene because nobody has talked about it. The gardiners going touring the countryside was a common middle class vacation to take. The idea was about getting away from the city, the pollution etc. A common activity was to visit the grand houses of the upper class (some of these houses actually had maps for visitors). A normal visit would be just the gardens and sometimes the house would be open as well (it was common to tip if you had an escorted tour). Of course there were times when the house would be closed to the public and there would be private rooms that only the family went into. But what it does in the storytelling is it shows Darcy's character. It was seen as the proper thing to have a well maintained house with great gardens.
As a woman who has had relationships with men like Wickham, I could see through his pitiful story. The actor did a really good job looking and acting like the kind of man he is. Sorry if that sounds vague. I don't know how to explain it. It's like a gut feeling. Too good to be true. There is a movie called Bride & Prejudice 2004 from the same director as Bend It Like Beckham. It's a take on this same story and its same with that actor for Wickham.
I never expected to even like this film (action films are more to my liking) but I fell in love with it. The performances, the production, the direction, the music, everything is first-rate. I have probably watched it a dozen times.
This version is really growing on me, although the 1995 version will probably always be my favorite as far as representing the characters and the story (it’s like six hours long though). I do especially love Donald Southerland as the father in this, he’s so good!
Me too. The BBC 1995 series *_is_* superb & imo superior. Funnily enough, this particular reaction to the film has contributed in me appreciating it more than I did when I first saw it.
A few trivia facts about this movie (which i love by the way) 1) The kiss at the end is only in the US version and caused a lot of upset fans. It’s not in the book or UK version of the film. It was though that US audiences would need more closure, and to be honest I love it. 2) The hand brush after the visit to the hall to pick up her sister was significant. During the time period you did not touch members of the opposite sex casually. This is where you start to see Darcy’s interest in Elizabeth and you get the feeling he wont be washing his hands for a while to remember the touch 3) Kiera Knightly remarked that all her best performances come in a corset. She had a string of great movies in which she had to be corseted up (the whole Pirates saga, Atonement, Pride and Prejudice). It started to be a bit of a joke about her career 4) Unfortunately Donald Sutherland was nominated for an Oscar for this role and did not win. Probably his last great shot. Such an amazing actor who never got credit for his roles 5) The acting talent in this movie is off the charts. All 5 sisters went on to have Star laden carriers. It’s great to see such successful actors in their early roles
The Bennets are actually pretty well off. They are landed gentry, which technically puts them in the same class as Mr. Darcy. The problem is Papa Bennet is terrible at saving, and he and his wife thought they'd have a son eventually to inherit the estate. They didn't, so Mr. Collins is next in line. Which is why I have put up a somewhat lukewarm defense of him because he really was trying to do the Bennet family a solid by marrying one of the girls.
I've watched almost all the P&P reviews on UA-cam, and this was definitely my favourite! I loved how you took it seriously as a romantic drama, I love the effort you put into your review, and I loved how engaged you allowed yourself to be in the movie. A lot of people (mostly dudes) who watch this on UA-cam seem to not want to like it, or allow themselves to enjoy it. I enjoyed your deeper cinematic analysis during the film as well. I'll definitely be checking out more of your reviews!
Wonderful how you have such quick recall of other films and elements of filmmaking right at your fingertips on the fly as you are watching this film for the first time. Well done and very insightful.
Emma Thompson’s Sense and Sensibility is also a fantastic adaptation of Austen. I’d love to see you react to it. It was such fun to see you getting caught up in the story: enjoying the dancing, laughing at Mrs Bennett and gasping at Lady Catherine’s entrance. Great stuff!
Jane Austen wrote about the society that she knew, and wrote about her characters as real people. All our foibles and flaws, and the strengths as well. The movie Becoming Jane (with Anne Hathaway) is worth watching as well. And not that I don't love Colin Firth, but this Mr. Darcy is closest to how I envisioned him, and the movie rightly focuses on Elizabeth.
I did this play in high school. I played Mr. Collins, so naturally we watched the movie beforehand. Easily Jane Austen's best, and one of my favorite romances of all time
19:37 "Is that real?" Oh, yes. Although this particular statue (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veiled_Vestal) is an anachronism, veiled figures carved from marble were kind of a thing from the 1700s, and would have been known in Regency Period (1811 to 1820~1837) England.
Wonderful choice , certainly 10 years ago I would not have bothered to watch it , but we do grow. Please check out Sense & Sensibility with Emma Thompson , Kate Winslet , & Alan Rickham another great adaptation of a Jane Austen novel . Thank you.
Bravo, Shan - great pick to mix things up and demonstrates your genuine love of film. Keep up the great work! One of my favorite scores of all time too, by the great Dario Marianelli. Love this adaptation and would highly recommend other Austen adaptations from the 90s (Sense & Sensibility, Emma, and thought Mansfield Park was an underrated gem). The only thing I would change is the pacing of the film. I felt it needed to be about 20 minutes longer, as some key scenes were rushed taking away from the slower transformation of each character. The scene in the rain with the dramatic music was one particular scene that needed more development. Keira was wonderful as the sharp tongued and quick witted Elizabeth Bennett. My favorite line, after Lizzy to her own surprise - has agreed to dance with Mr. Darcy... Elizabeth Bennet: Did I just agree to dance with Mr. Darcy? Charlotte Lucas: I daresay you will find him to be very amiable. Elizabeth Bennet: That would be most inconvenient since I have sworn to loathe him for all eternity.
Agreed. Great reaction. David Fischer, THANK YOU for mentioning Mansfield Park as an underrated gem. I love that film (and its score). Granted, it makes Jane Austen purists cringe, but I think, as a loosely-based adaptation, it's very enjoyable. Great cast, too (Frances O'Connor, Alessandro Nivola, Harold Pinter, Victoria Hamilton, Embeth Davitz and more...)
Can you also watch Sense and Sensibility (1995). It's another really good Jane Austen adaptation and is very well done. A lot of good actors in that one as well.
No way!! I can’t believe you’re watching this!! 🎉🎉🥰🥰🎉🎉 I don’t know if you have any interest, but watching the 1995 BBC miniseries is worth your time as well. I love them both, in fact I quite enjoy every P&P adaptation I can get my hands on, be them faithful adaptations or not…. 🥰🥰🥰
I watched this movie for the first time just recently, and then I sat my mother and my teenage daughter down to watch it. While watching it the second time, I realized that they (and almost everyone whom I have seen review this movie since), react almost the exact same way at the same points in the movie (like I did). One thing I love about this movie is that we don't realize until the ending how much we are all prejudge (and misjudge) the characters in the movie without really knowing them first, which is what happens throughout amongst the characters themselves. My favorite example to illustrate this is Mr. Collins, whom everyone in the audience (and the Bennett family) regard as a villain at first, but later on ( having a son with Autism I recognized a lot of characteristics of high-functioning Aspergers in him) and seeing it again and again, seeing him in.a totally different light. Furthermore, then we can appreciate what a wonderful couple he makes with Charlotte (because she has such a kind temperament). Mr. Collins had only so hotly pursued Elizabeth because he thought it was the right thing to do to help the Bennets keep their home. Even his sermon illuatrates his good-naturedness, if you really listen to what he is saying (but sadly many of us tune him out 😢). I truly love this movie on so many, many levels. It is one of my favorites of all time. I pray it can somehow help us all eliminate prejudice of all kinds from ourselves and from this world. Thanks for the great review! Many blessings and Shalom! 🙏❤️😊🕊
Shan, always enjoy your reactions. Your take on this film has made me appreciate it more. I am a diehard fan of the 1995 adaptation. Yes, it is 6 hours long but the dialog is lifted line by line verbatim from Jane Austen's novel. The slower build up between the two main characters yields a larger emotional payout for the viewer when Darcy finally expresses his true feelings and proposes. Just my opinion. I'm no expert but Collin Firth IS THE Mr. Darcy. I think you would appreciate Emma Thompson's performance in Sense & Sensibility.
If you liked this, you might also like "Becoming Jane" which is about Jane Austen's life and the events that inspired her to write Pride and Prejudice.
Actually, Darcy and The Bennetts were of the same class called Gentry. Darcy was able to inherit his father's estate and their estate made them much more money. The Bennetts were five daughters with a mother who spent more money than what she should. Mr. Bennett also failed to put monies away for his daughters doweries, which made them less desirable to wealthier men. Darcy sister had a dowry of $30 thousand. Not what the sisters or even Charolette's dowry could compare to. But, yes you are correct that there was a difference in wealth. but not class.
I'm not a big romantic film fun but I love this film. I've seen it about ten times and my favorite scene when they are at the gloriette in the rain. That is simply the best.
Great reaction, really enjoyed! There is a wonderful period film called A Room With a View starring a young Helena Bonham Carter and Daniel Day Lewis in a small, but unforgettable role.
*Cannot* emphasize enough how excited I am to watch one of my absolute favorite reactors react to one of my favorite movies (and favorite novels)!!! Haven't watched, yet, but am hitting play NOW! Thank you for doing this one!!!
Finished and so appreciate your commentary. Also, note that it was not common for a man and woman to touch then, especially skin to skin (without gloves), so the scene of showing Darcy touching Lizzy's bare hand was to demonstrate intimacy (and also to show his HAND as in hand in marriage).
The letter writing in Jane Austin novels is beautiful, truly a lost art. Whenever I need writing inspiration I read “Persuasion” by her. The movie version of Sense and sensibility is really good to. The one with Emma Thompson and a large cast of A list actors.
One of my favorite movies and favorite soundtracks. It would be wonderful to see your reaction to Sense and Sensibility (1995). I know others have recommended it, but I thought I would too. Great reaction! Thank you.
Mathew Macfayden was great in Ripper Street as well where he plays a detective investigating Jack the Ripper originally then other crimes as the series continued.
@@ReallyGoodandKind - 🤦♀️🤦♀️😂😂😂😂 Wow. That’s hilarious. Somehow I skipped right over that and only read “Oh man. I prefer the 1994 version with Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson. But this is a decent movie “ . . . or did you add that afterward? It says “edited.” 🤔 Anyway, sorry - and yes, I absolutely love the 1994 Sense and Sensibility as well! 🥰🥰🥰
11:09 It’s a little thing, but half the time I watch this scene, I lose the dialogue because the dance music is one of my favorite pieces of the period: Purcell’s Rondo from Abdelazer (which lots of people know because Benjamin Britton used it as the basis for “A Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra”).
I think the two main characters are wonderfully portrayed in this version, so I would always choose this one. Not really my genre, and still, I found myself interested in what happened to this couple and glad to see them end up together. Even the final scene with the kisses, which I would normally hate if watching a romcom, works for me, and that says a lot about the film.
I have watched several men view this movie, and several women too. You are the best so far.... you had the best reactions, your understanding was very quick, and was highly intuitive and spot -on; your enthusiasm over the famous cast and their wonderful acting, and the cinematography, the sets, the costumes was highly gratifying to someone who loves this story and this movie version of it. You even noticed the music, which so many people overlook, although the music is an extremely important factor in guiding the audience reactions. My only problems with this film were: they told the story too fast, introduced the Bennet family too fast, and they changed several things from the way Jane Austen wrote the story which I thought should not have been changed: 1) The relationship between Elizabeth's parents was written to be an unhappy marriage, rife with the husband barely tolerating his wife and letting his children see that fact on a daily basis. This fact influenced Elizabeth strongly, in deciding she would rather be poor in her future, than be married to someone she didn't love. And 2) Mr. Collins was written to be both a comic character, and a character whose actions and words were written to show a particular attitude toward women and toward society. His sycophancy toward Lady Catherine showed us the layers of society well, and his proposal to Elizabeth, which was done partly out of good will, to try to keep the women in their home once the father died, showed us his kindly side, but also his careless idea of women and marriage. But what was left out was the horrible letter he wrote to the family when Lydia ran away with Wickham. Mr. Collins wrote, among other things, that it would have been better if Lydia had died, than for her to do what she did. Mr. Collins also rejoiced that Elizabeth had turned him down, because if she had accepted him, he would have to share the utter disgrace the Bennet family was suffering under. So, this movie didn't show us that side of Mr. Collins at all. However, this is my favorite version, even with its faults, because everything about it is so beautiful, so well done, so perfectly excellent. In case no one else told you, this story took place about 1797, although the book was not published until 1813. I repeat, you understood what was going on in this movie, what people's words and facial expressions meant, more thoroughly and more quickly than anyone else I have seen watch this movie without knowing the story and the history ahead of time. Well done. I subscribed.
I read somewhere that Emma Thompson was brought in to write the scene where Lizzie’s friend comes to her to announce her engagement to Mr Collins. Interesting how a woman’s future was in peril until she was safely married. It wasn’t about romance but survival. Also read there was some resistance to casting Keira as she was thought to be too attractive.
Yes. The credited writer did a credible job on the story's basic structure transferred from the novel to script, but they had to bring in Oscar-winner Emma Thompson who had lived with Austin and the use of language in the early 1800s for a year while she adapted Sense and Sensibility for reworking scenes and writing original actable dialogue in the characters's voices. Who better than someone who is a versatile actor as well. She rewrote the scene where Darcey walks the three miles from Netherfield to see Lizzie to ask her for the last time to marry him, which he did not do in the novel. All of the proposal is her work. And she is to have entirely written the last scene. Breathtaking.
It's funny you watch Pride and prejudice because of Matthew. I started watching Succession because of him! ps. If you want to know the reactions to the marriage, you can check the book. How Mrs. Bennet reacts to the news is one of my favorite passages of the book!
Mathew Macfaydyn stars in a comedy "Death at a Funeral". Frank Oz directed. 2007. It's hysterical. There are two versions of the movie. One starring MacFaydyn and the other starring Chris Rock in the same role/character in 2010 directed by Neil LaBute. Actually both versions are very funny. Same story, some script changes. Peter Dinklage is in both movies..... same character. haha. And I read the book over the years a few times. Script was close to the book. Movie did the book justice. If you're looking for more Jane Austen to movies, watch Sense and Sensibility starring Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman.
Important facts from the book that are subtle but missed in this movie.. Bingley’s sister wanted to marry Mr. Darcy . Lady Catherine wanted Mr. Darcy to marry her sickly daughter , his cousin. Mr. Bennett understood that his daughters marrying who they loved was more important, because while he loved his wife , he understood that marrying someone for propriety didn’t make one happy. Mrs. Bennett was quite ridiculous. My favorite book, I read it 4 times. 🥰
Shan, thank you for sharing your reaction and critique to this adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. You will absolutely discover more depth and nuance with each viewing. May I suggest, watch again with the express intent to only listen to background noises; telling "supporting characters"! I agree with your perspective that the director allows "down times" to allow the viewer to breathe after the intensity and fast-paced dialogue of the script. As noted at the end, both main characters possess and ultimately are confronted by and overcome various aspects of pride and prejudice. Would that today's cultures and society at large supported and encouraged this as a worthwhile endeavor.
The 1995 miniseries is the definitive adaptation of Austen's novel, but I really enjoyed this one as well. They chose to set this film adaptation it about 10 years after the actual setting of the novel, and as you said, the production design is so good that it allows for a different look than the miniseries...there were a lot of changes in fashion and comportment in that one decade. Knightley nailed the essence of "Lizzie", and it was a real coming out for her after doing Pirates of the Caribbean. I saw that you said you loved the mother's performance, and so you should. The actress's name is Brenda Blethyn, and if you want to see another great performance from her in a truly spectacularly-acted and written film, check out "Secrets and Lies".
I’ve seen probably every adaptation of this novel and this is by far my favorite I could watch it over and over and over again I just think it’s so amazingly beautiful in every way…and if you want another amazing Jane Austen adaptation watch Sense & Sensibility it’s from 1995 I think and it has Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman and Kate Winslet…another beautiful film that I could watch over and over again
"that's a no!" "perfectly timed thunder" 😂 no for real though, what a clever and observant commentary and reaction! Absolutely love it, will check out more of your work
Shan! I have to say doing a Jane Austen film is a great change of pace for your channel. I love Keira's take on Lizzie. However, my favorite Darcy is and will always be Colin Firth in the BBC miniseries adaptation...which is also really good! Besides this, other worthwhile adaptations of Austen I would suggest... - 'Emma' with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam as well as the BBC miniseries with Romola Garai are excellent. - 'Mansfield Park'. - 'Sense and Sensibility' with an Oscar winning screenplay by Emma Thompson, starring Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, and direction by Ang Lee is wonderful (lots of amazing stars in supporting roles). - 'Persuasion' with Ciaran Hinds is a gem. These are straight adaptations. For modern adaptation...'Clueless' with Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd ('Emma') is hysterically funny and pretty spot on written and directed by Amy Heckerling ('Fast Times at Ridgemont High'). One more you might find interesting, since you mentioned 'Bend It Like Beckham' (great movie, btw!) is another Gurinder Chadha film, 'Bride and Prejudice' with Aishwarya Rai (as Lizzie or Lalita Bakshi), Martin Henderson (Darcy), Anupam Kher (Mr. Bennet or Mr. Bakshi), and Naveen Andrews (Bingley or Balraj)...it's set in early 2000s Amritsar, Goa, London, and L.A. It also is a Bollywood-style musical with music by Anu Malik, but not completely "Bollywood". It's a fun take on this story...but not a great film, just a fun one!
late to the party but I'm so happy you reacted to one of my fav movies of all times! Glad you caught the sublime cinematography early on! I can't help but to point that and the music out to everyone I watch it with, it's SO good! Can't believe it was so overlooked at the Oscars. It's such a perfect, true-to-the-original and yet modern take on the source and perfectly cast as well! The "hand-flex"-scene, the absolute weirdness of Collins, the perfection that is the dance scene between Darcy and Lizzy, the passing of time when Lizzy is on the swing, the standing on the edge, the meeting on the moor at the end - it's all so perfectly done! There's also so much (subtle) humour, so much sass and obviously, always the underlying problematics of the money, patriarchy and the class system. sublime, truly!
This a two hour movie compared to a six hour miniseries. They’re pretty difficult to straight-up compare. I do find this version more entertaining and romantic, though it does have as much nuance.
29:00 "[Mrs Bennet's] only worry in life was trying to marry off her daughters." **Somebody** had to worry about it, and _Mr_ Bennet hasn't been. When he dies, his widow and unmarried daughters will be dependents of his distant cousin Mr Collins, or suffer a drastic decrease in their living standard. To his credit, Mr Collins _tries_ to do the right thing: offering to marry one of the girls (starting with the eldest and working his way down).
Ya. MacFayden slays Darcy ....... A true Austen Classic....the.movie honors her book.....impeccable cinematography.and set design .camera work. Indeed...superb cast. And acting
There's more to the "hand thing" than most young people understand these days. It would have been customary in that era for young ladies to wear gloves. So when he helped her into the carriage and it turned out that he actually touched her skin, it was even more romantic than most of today's viewers realize!
This is one of my most favorite movies in the 2000s, although I'm not really very enthusiastic about period dramas. Every character has a distinct feature in the movie and all the actors do a great job portraying their character's unique personality but I really really love Donald Sutherland's character and his acting the most, although he has a relatively minor role. He takes the front role in some critical moments of the movie and he delivers :) Very likeable father character and subtle but quite memorable performance by the actor in my opinion.
There is a BBC series called Death comes to Pemberly, which is set a few years later and Lydia shows up after leaving her Wickham who drinks and gambles. Matthew Rhys plays Darcy and Jenna Coleman plays Lydia. I think you might enjoy.
Recommend you watching other Jane Austen films and/or reading the books!!! Another Great is Sense and Sensibility directed by Ang Lee and Starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, and Hugh Grant🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
The 1995 version is a 7-hour, 7-part series in England and is more faithful to the book. However, this version is so beautiful I prefer this "short" rendition. If you watch it again check out Elizebeth's "post rejection" acting at the mausoleum. The camara pulls away but you can still observe that she gets wobbly and first uses the post to steady herself then falls back against the wall of the mausoleum...just like she had taken a "gut punch"! Clearly, she had mixed emotions as illustrated by the almost kiss, but that bit of acting was very telling and subtle! It's one of my favorite details of the movie.
Absolutely enjoyed your very astute reaction to this movie. It is fun to see a man watch and appreciate a film that is typically thought of as a story primarily for women. And I expect that you can see why this is quite a popular romance story. But I am glad that you appreciated the class and social commentary. The author, Jane Austin was writing about the period she lived in and the class structure that rigidly controlled much of her life. Making a good marriage was the most important goal for most young women in that period. And while Jane Austin, never married, her novels are very centered around these all important, social relationships. I’m glad that you expect that you will rewatch this film. I would recommend that you consider the 1995 BBC miniseries. Because it is a miniseries it has the chance to delve into the story in much more detail. Also, the actor Rosamund Pike, who played Jane Bennett, has narrated an audio version of this story. It is very well done. The witty dialogue between the characters makes it fun audiobook to listen to. If you do rewatch this film, please pay attention to Mary Bennett when Mr. Collins is in the various scenes with the family. I think it is strongly hinted that she would have been the best match for Mr. Collins from among the sisters.
This is one of those movies that if I catch it on, no matter at which point in the film it's at, I watch it till the end. I love the characters (most of them, Jena's voice is like nails on a chalkboard) and it's just comfortable.
Matthew MacFadyen's Darcy definitely has more nuance in his performance. Other actors I've seen potray Darcy as sort of one dimensional and flat with a snooty attitude. While MacFadyen Partrays Darcy as having the superior air and also being vulnerable and uncertain.
Found a little info regarding how much they made and how much it would be equivalent to. Annual incomes "According to Austen, Mr. Bennet's annual income is 2,000 pounds, or 160,000 dollars." Bingley ~ 5,000 pounds or 400,000 dollars " Darcy's 10,000 pounds or 800,000 dollars"
I'm so happy to see a man being enough curious and openminded to watch such an iconic romantic movie for the female audience ! You are unbelievable ! You notice and appreciate everything (cinematography, acting, light, music, social différences, funny moments...), you recognize every actor... What a pleasure to revisit one of my favorite movie/novel in your company ! A big thanks, you've got a fan. I'm probably not the first to tell you this : there is only one Darcy ; his name is Colin Firth. In the BBC series AND in the modern adaptation of P&P : "Bridget Jones diary". Btw, Joe Wright adaptation is a very modern one. The BBC version is more complete, and much more faithful to the book, but I love both of them. Families loosing everything (home, fourniture, Books...!) when the father dies is a constant theme in Jane Austen's litterature. It is more dramaticly shown in "Sense and Sensibility"❤️(you must watch it). If you are conscious of that threat, you understand why mothers are obsessed by marrying their daughters. Please forgive my english : I'm french.
Only one Darcy? I love Colin but his Darcy was very cold with no nuance. Even the proposal scene was cold. Mathew’s Darcy had more depth and breadth. He was more likeable and much more handsome. However, I really like the actress who played Lizzie in the 1995 version. She was less beautiful than Keira but that was perfect. Lizzie was not supposed to be beautiful. And she was excellent in the role. Sorry that I cannot recall her name.
The Bennett's are middle-class. Even though Mr. Bennett is a lawyer, he still works for a living and is therefore looked down upon by the landed gentry, such as Mr Darcy's family and especially Lady Catherine. Working was considered a 'distasteful' way to earn an income. The rich made money through their land - passive income.
Your movie selection of late has been on point -- Amadeus, Amelie, Pride & Prejudice are in my all-time top 10. You still need to hit Dangerous Liaisons from the 80s!
I'm a little late to the party but I recently just watched this adaptation myself. If you watch it again, look at Mr Darcy from the point of view of him being incredibly socially awkward, I think the actor playing him said he saw Mr Darcy as someone really shy. He looks at her for the first time, and looks away to avoid eye contact, he tells her he doesn't dance, and when she leaves he looks down like ffffff, he was probably replaying that convo in his head all night, watching her dance, looking all sad. Then he asked her what encouraged affection, and he looks to the side like he is "just asking for a friend", and she says dancing. Next time he saw her, he asked her to dance. She tells him to practice small talk, and every time he sees her, he tries to practice. He was not proud, he was struggling with social anxiety! And the hand flex is just after he touched her for the first time, he was probably incredibly nervous / excited, plus, she is not wearing gloves. That scene at Mr Bengley's when the camera is following Elizabeth as she enters the house, you can tell he was coming towards her from the side, when she keeps moving forward he decides to walk away not to follow her. He really does a lot of subtle acting, with his eyes and hands. On a second watch it is more obvious. Mr Darcy in the book is a bit more rude when they meet for the first time. But some scenes are better in the movie, like the first proposal when it's raining. In the book that scene is different, but a lot of the dialogue is the same. I like some of the movie choices better. I find them perfectly agreeable.
Judi Dench is great in this, but she also starred in "Cranford" and "Return to Cranford" miniseries - which takes place around the same time period. She plays a much different character - a spinster in a small town outside Manchester. Both Pride & Prejudice and Cranford are based on period books, they have somewhat similar dialog. It's interesting to see what people had to do to survive, the social dynamics, and the unfortunate set of options that were often available to women who weren't from very wealthy families.
I have not personally read the book, but I'm told this one of the better cinematic adaptations. I'm a huge Keira Knightley stan, so my opinion of the quality of this movie is extremely tainted. Fun Fact: Director Joe Wright was not initially keen on Keira Knightley playing Elizabeth, believing her to be too attractive. He changed his mind upon meeting her, deciding her tomboyish attitude would be perfect for the part.
Haha, what timing...I just watched "Pride & Prejudice & Zombies" last night. Having read the original(s), I have to say I'm impressed with Ms. Austen's use of dialogue and ironic wordplay to show the extreme social restraints of the time, while admirably communicating the characters' genuine feelings.
Let me say this now... People are not crazy in love with someone if they don't get silly goofy when they meet the one. You're supposed to drop your jaw like the old cartoons and get sweaty and awkward. It's not just the physical attraction, you just feel drawn to them, even if you don't get along at first. I say this from experience. The best experience.
Both parents are doing it wrong, in the movie (and other adaptations) Mr Bennet is often depicted as the good parent and Mrs Bennet as the bad parent. Mrs Bennet is ignorant and a bit annoying, but her worry that all of them will be homeless if they don't marry well before Mr Bennet dies is not ridicilous. It's a legitimate worry, that happened in real life at the time often enough. She needs to be sure her daughters won't end up on the streets. Mr Bennet knows his wife is raising their daughters wrong (Lydia is way too spoiled for example) and he doesn't jump in to stop it. He did raise Jane and Elizabeth, and both of them are sensible and clever. But he stopped doing anything with the younger girls, even when he knew his wife was spoiling Lydia and letting the youngest three just do whatever, instead of teaching his daughters he did nothing. When he knew that letting Lydia go to Brighton on her own (or at least without adequate supervision) would mean she would get into trouble he didn't stop it. He thought she would be annoying somewhere else. :) Mrs Bennet's 'sin' is spoiling and ignorance, and Mr Bennet's is neglect. And yeah, both Elizabeth and Mr Darcy were being prideful and prejudiced. Mr Darcy takes Elizabeth's rejection to heart and fixes his mistakes, Elizabeth is also changed by Mr Darcy telling her all the ways her family was behaving terribly. She sees their mistakes, and now knows what it costs their family.
4:56 . . . There’s a lot of essays, video or otherwise, out there on this topic. Basically it boils down to the fact they are in the same _financial_ social class (though the Bennetts are on the lower/middle end of it) but more importantly, the Bennetts are far more _socially_ poor, which is why/how Darcy looks down on them. Their _social_ connections are lacking, though they are in the same class.
In the books you get into Mr Darcy’s inner struggle with being attracted to someone so beneath him economically and socially and he can’t understand why. It very entertaining to go through his inner struggle with him.
Loved the movie, loved watching you watch it :) I was pleased that you picked up on the camera work immediately; that's the sort of thing that I have to have pointed out to me. It is splendid, though. One of the big changes from the book is that Mr. Darcy's first proposal was during that visit to Lizzie. In this one he apparently lost his nerve. But the scene in the rain is *gorgeous* and the one in the parlor is pretty funny, so I'm happy with the change.
I love this work and should you consider the 1995 version you will likely enjoy it with a very different feel. Great reaction. I hope you take the time to watch the first major film by Ridley Scott from 1977, THE DUELISTS. A period piece with wonderful music and beautiful shots.
If you like Mathews performance check out BBC - Stephen Poliakoff’s Perfect Stranger (may be called Almost Strangers outside of the UK), 4hr drama from 2001, he’s superb in it. Poliakoffs work from that period was superb. He was also great in Any Human Heart
This is one of my top comfort films (second only to The Princess Bride) and my favorite adaptation of one of my favorite books. :) Definitely check out more Jane Austen stuff (books and adaptations) if you get the chance. Plenty of gems in there.
You caught so much of the social and personal stakes that often take a few rewatches or knowledge of regency society to catch. I loved all the film making references too, the oners and transitions and composition are gorgeous. If you were going to do any more Austen I would recommend anything that came out in 1995: the P&P miniseries which has time to be faithful to the comedy of manners style of the book; the Sense and Sensibility movie that Emma Thompson won an Oscar for best screenplay; and the movie of Persuasion which is a very hard story to translate to film but this adaptation was so lovely and endearing ✨🌟🌙
The witty dialogue and barbs mostly come from the book. Jane Austen was very funny.
and very feminist for her time as well. I hate that people who don't know about her or books properly disregard her work as basically Nora Roberts-kind-of-kitch when it's anything but
My favorite under-appreciated line didn’t make this reaction. It’s at the end when Mr. Bennett says “If any young men come for Mary or Kitty, send them in, for I am quite at my leisure.” Chef’s kiss!
Sorry Colin Firth fans, I really like him a lot (as Darcy and every other role), but Matthew MacFadyen is my favorite Darcy. 🥰
matthew macfadyen embodies mr. darcy in a way that no other actors have ever been able to thus far. definitely the best mr. darcy. looks, sounds, and acts like i imagine he would.
@@MonAhgasInsomniAroELF - Exactly!!
Лучше не сравнивать. Они оба круто играют. Фильмы и жанры немного изменились, Джо Райт вообще снимает как то по особенному. Но голос Мэттью это ответит только мой дофамин. Он бесподобен...❤️🔥я интуитивно давно люблю этот голос и держу плейлист певцов с похожим тембром голоса
absolutely...He showed his humility and uncertainty when he was around Elizabeth until he won her heart at the end...I have been a huge fan Matthew MacFadyen for years...I was a big fan of his wife, Keeley Hawes, long before that!
I think it’s hilarious how all (or most) of) the girls know what “the hand thing” is about but very few of the guys do. Ha ha ha!!!
Which I don't think that's true. I've seen other male reactors get what that feeling was like when Elizabeth and Darcy held hands.
Yes! The electricity of first physical contact when there is already clear chemistry and attraction cannot be denied.
Glove-less?!? SCANDAL!
Exactly! It's not just about the electricity of their physical contact. It's also the scandalous nature of the skin to skin contact on the first place. Gloves were worn not just for fashion but to make sure that the two people's skin never made contact. Which is why if a gentleman kiss the lady's hand she was wearing a glove, if she was not wearing a glove the kiss would be in the air over her hand. Unmarried men and women did not touch like that.
Also the frenemy dynamic between Lizzie and Caroline. 😂 "Mutual respect..." Uh, huh... 😂😂😂
I'm not sure if anyone commented this already, but the scene wear Mr Darcy helps Lizzin into the carriage and their hands touch and after it shows him kinda stretching his hand is because in Regency society you almost never had skin to skin contact with the opposite sex; you'd pretty much always be wearing gloves when you did. So it was kinda a "sexy" (to a Regency person) moment, so to speak.
thank you for that...always wondered about that...
I am the eldest of 5 girls and that quick clean up scene is totally accurate, lmao 🤣
Yep! Except nowadays when the visitor enters the house, most the girls flee.
I make costumes and clothing by trade. I once had a client who happened to be the spitting image of Mr Bingley. He ordered a Mr Bingley outfit to wear when meeting his girlfriend at the airport. (the plan was to propose, she accepted) This film is well loved, and Austen's work in particular.
That’s so wholesome, it’s beautiful that these fictional works from so long ago can still bring people together. Some art truly is timeless.
Spitting image of Mr Bingley which then also implies spitting image of the actor who plays him that's just like that guy who looks almost exactly like Ed Sheeran
11:58: "It's almost like everybody else disappeared and they were actually concentrated on each other". I agree. Gone with the Wind did a similar dance scene between Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara.
Yes, you are right. The entire film was shot on location in real historic houses and landscapes across England, and I have been lucky enough to visit them all. For example:
- 19:23 Chatsworth House, Derbyshire (Darcy’s Home),
- 20:35 Double Cube Room of Wilton House, Wiltshire (the only interior in Darcy’s Home that wasn’t filmed inside Chatsworth),
- 14:37 Burghley House, Lincolnshire (Lady Catherine’s Home),
- 17:51 Stourhead Gardens, Wiltshire (Lady Catherine’s gardens),
- 6:19 Basildon Park, Berkshire (Bingley’s Home),
- 3:33 Groombridge Place, Kent (Bennet Home),
- 14:21 Weekley Village, Northamptonshire - the 17th century Almshouse (Mr. Collins’ Home)
- 8:24 Stamford, Lincolnshire (The Bennet’s local town of Meryton),
- 20:52 Haddon Hall, Derbyshire (The Inn they were staying at whilst touring Derbyshire).
Thank you for the locations.
adding a note about my favorite scene because nobody has talked about it. The gardiners going touring the countryside was a common middle class vacation to take. The idea was about getting away from the city, the pollution etc. A common activity was to visit the grand houses of the upper class (some of these houses actually had maps for visitors). A normal visit would be just the gardens and sometimes the house would be open as well (it was common to tip if you had an escorted tour). Of course there were times when the house would be closed to the public and there would be private rooms that only the family went into. But what it does in the storytelling is it shows Darcy's character. It was seen as the proper thing to have a well maintained house with great gardens.
As a woman who has had relationships with men like Wickham, I could see through his pitiful story. The actor did a really good job looking and acting like the kind of man he is. Sorry if that sounds vague. I don't know how to explain it. It's like a gut feeling. Too good to be true. There is a movie called Bride & Prejudice 2004 from the same director as Bend It Like Beckham. It's a take on this same story and its same with that actor for Wickham.
Yes, like firstley he enchanted the girls (represented in the coin magic) even Lizzy.
Daniel Gillies is so naturally charming, perfect casting for that movie
If you enjoyed this one, you might love „The Sense and Sensibility“ starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Alan Rickman.
just "Sense and Sensibility" but other than that, yup, absolutely agree 😊
…and Hugh Grant❤
I never expected to even like this film (action films are more to my liking) but I fell in love with it. The performances, the production, the direction, the music, everything is first-rate. I have probably watched it a dozen times.
The “hand thing” was the shock of electric passion still lingering in his flesh.
This version is really growing on me, although the 1995 version will probably always be my favorite as far as representing the characters and the story (it’s like six hours long though).
I do especially love Donald Southerland as the father in this, he’s so good!
Yeah, he’s wonderful in this.
He's great. He originally didn't want the role and told the filmmakers he was "too old and too Canadian" to play it well. lol
@@peteg475 yes, but later he fell in love with his new family, his girls.🤗
A young Colin Firth getting some work on his native side of the pond.
Me too. The BBC 1995 series *_is_* superb & imo superior. Funnily enough, this particular reaction to the film has contributed in me appreciating it more than I did when I first saw it.
A few trivia facts about this movie (which i love by the way)
1) The kiss at the end is only in the US version and caused a lot of upset fans. It’s not in the book or UK version of the film. It was though that US audiences would need more closure, and to be honest I love it.
2) The hand brush after the visit to the hall to pick up her sister was significant. During the time period you did not touch members of the opposite sex casually. This is where you start to see Darcy’s interest in Elizabeth and you get the feeling he wont be washing his hands for a while to remember the touch
3) Kiera Knightly remarked that all her best performances come in a corset. She had a string of great movies in which she had to be corseted up (the whole Pirates saga, Atonement, Pride and Prejudice). It started to be a bit of a joke about her career
4) Unfortunately Donald Sutherland was nominated for an Oscar for this role and did not win. Probably his last great shot. Such an amazing actor who never got credit for his roles
5) The acting talent in this movie is off the charts. All 5 sisters went on to have Star laden carriers. It’s great to see such successful actors in their early roles
yes, that was an awful scene...why it was added, I have no idea!
The Bennets are actually pretty well off. They are landed gentry, which technically puts them in the same class as Mr. Darcy. The problem is Papa Bennet is terrible at saving, and he and his wife thought they'd have a son eventually to inherit the estate. They didn't, so Mr. Collins is next in line. Which is why I have put up a somewhat lukewarm defense of him because he really was trying to do the Bennet family a solid by marrying one of the girls.
I've watched almost all the P&P reviews on UA-cam, and this was definitely my favourite! I loved how you took it seriously as a romantic drama, I love the effort you put into your review, and I loved how engaged you allowed yourself to be in the movie. A lot of people (mostly dudes) who watch this on UA-cam seem to not want to like it, or allow themselves to enjoy it. I enjoyed your deeper cinematic analysis during the film as well. I'll definitely be checking out more of your reviews!
Wonderful how you have such quick recall of other films and elements of filmmaking right at your fingertips on the fly as you are watching this film for the first time. Well done and very insightful.
Emma Thompson’s Sense and Sensibility is also a fantastic adaptation of Austen. I’d love to see you react to it.
It was such fun to see you getting caught up in the story: enjoying the dancing, laughing at Mrs Bennett and gasping at Lady Catherine’s entrance. Great stuff!
Jane Austen wrote about the society that she knew, and wrote about her characters as real people. All our foibles and flaws, and the strengths as well. The movie Becoming Jane (with Anne Hathaway) is worth watching as well. And not that I don't love Colin Firth, but this Mr. Darcy is closest to how I envisioned him, and the movie rightly focuses on Elizabeth.
I love Becoming Jane!
I did this play in high school. I played Mr. Collins, so naturally we watched the movie beforehand. Easily Jane Austen's best, and one of my favorite romances of all time
19:37 "Is that real?"
Oh, yes. Although this particular statue (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veiled_Vestal) is an anachronism, veiled figures carved from marble were kind of a thing from the 1700s, and would have been known in Regency Period (1811 to 1820~1837) England.
Wonderful choice , certainly 10 years ago I would not have bothered to watch it , but we do grow. Please check out Sense & Sensibility with Emma Thompson , Kate Winslet , & Alan Rickham another great adaptation of a Jane Austen novel . Thank you.
Bravo, Shan - great pick to mix things up and demonstrates your genuine love of film. Keep up the great work! One of my favorite scores of all time too, by the great Dario Marianelli. Love this adaptation and would highly recommend other Austen adaptations from the 90s (Sense & Sensibility, Emma, and thought Mansfield Park was an underrated gem). The only thing I would change is the pacing of the film. I felt it needed to be about 20 minutes longer, as some key scenes were rushed taking away from the slower transformation of each character. The scene in the rain with the dramatic music was one particular scene that needed more development. Keira was wonderful as the sharp tongued and quick witted Elizabeth Bennett. My favorite line, after Lizzy to her own surprise - has agreed to dance with Mr. Darcy...
Elizabeth Bennet: Did I just agree to dance with Mr. Darcy?
Charlotte Lucas: I daresay you will find him to be very amiable.
Elizabeth Bennet: That would be most inconvenient since I have sworn to loathe him for all eternity.
Agreed. Great reaction. David Fischer, THANK YOU for mentioning Mansfield Park as an underrated gem. I love that film (and its score). Granted, it makes Jane Austen purists cringe, but I think, as a loosely-based adaptation, it's very enjoyable. Great cast, too (Frances O'Connor, Alessandro Nivola, Harold Pinter, Victoria Hamilton, Embeth Davitz and more...)
Love that you reacted to this film! This is probably my ultimate comfort movie.
Can you also watch Sense and Sensibility (1995). It's another really good Jane Austen adaptation and is very well done. A lot of good actors in that one as well.
No way!! I can’t believe you’re watching this!! 🎉🎉🥰🥰🎉🎉
I don’t know if you have any interest, but watching the 1995 BBC miniseries is worth your time as well. I love them both, in fact I quite enjoy every P&P adaptation I can get my hands on, be them faithful adaptations or not…. 🥰🥰🥰
I watched this movie for the first time just recently, and then I sat my mother and my teenage daughter down to watch it. While watching it the second time, I realized that they (and almost everyone whom I have seen review this movie since), react almost the exact same way at the same points in the movie (like I did). One thing I love about this movie is that we don't realize until the ending how much we are all prejudge (and misjudge) the characters in the movie without really knowing them first, which is what happens throughout amongst the characters themselves. My favorite example to illustrate this is Mr. Collins, whom everyone in the audience (and the Bennett family) regard as a villain at first, but later on ( having a son with Autism I recognized a lot of characteristics of high-functioning Aspergers in him) and seeing it again and again, seeing him in.a totally different light. Furthermore, then we can appreciate what a wonderful couple he makes with Charlotte (because she has such a kind temperament). Mr. Collins had only so hotly pursued Elizabeth because he thought it was the right thing to do to help the Bennets keep their home. Even his sermon illuatrates his good-naturedness, if you really listen to what he is saying (but sadly many of us tune him out 😢). I truly love this movie on so many, many levels. It is one of my favorites of all time. I pray it can somehow help us all eliminate prejudice of all kinds from ourselves and from this world. Thanks for the great review! Many blessings and Shalom! 🙏❤️😊🕊
Excellent analysis. The scene with Mr. Collins dancing with Lizzy is hilarious... :)
Shan, always enjoy your reactions. Your take on this film has made me appreciate it more. I am a diehard fan of the 1995 adaptation. Yes, it is 6 hours long but the dialog is lifted line by line verbatim from Jane Austen's novel. The slower build up between the two main characters yields a larger emotional payout for the viewer when Darcy finally expresses his true feelings and proposes. Just my opinion. I'm no expert but Collin Firth IS THE Mr. Darcy. I think you would appreciate Emma Thompson's performance in Sense & Sensibility.
If you liked this, you might also like "Becoming Jane" which is about Jane Austen's life and the events that inspired her to write Pride and Prejudice.
Actually, Darcy and The Bennetts were of the same class called Gentry. Darcy was able to inherit his father's estate and their estate made them much more money. The Bennetts were five daughters with a mother who spent more money than what she should. Mr. Bennett also failed to put monies away for his daughters doweries, which made them less desirable to wealthier men. Darcy sister had a dowry of $30 thousand. Not what the sisters or even Charolette's dowry could compare to. But, yes you are correct that there was a difference in wealth. but not class.
I'm not a big romantic film fun but I love this film. I've seen it about ten times and my favorite scene when they are at the gloriette in the rain. That is simply the best.
Great reaction, really enjoyed! There is a wonderful period film called A Room With a View starring a young Helena Bonham Carter and Daniel Day Lewis in a small, but unforgettable role.
Very good movie!
Yes! Superb film!
I saw that movie when it first came out and I loved it. I need to watch it again.
*Cannot* emphasize enough how excited I am to watch one of my absolute favorite reactors react to one of my favorite movies (and favorite novels)!!! Haven't watched, yet, but am hitting play NOW! Thank you for doing this one!!!
Finished and so appreciate your commentary. Also, note that it was not common for a man and woman to touch then, especially skin to skin (without gloves), so the scene of showing Darcy touching Lizzy's bare hand was to demonstrate intimacy (and also to show his HAND as in hand in marriage).
The letter writing in Jane Austin novels is beautiful, truly a lost art. Whenever I need writing inspiration I read “Persuasion” by her. The movie version of Sense and sensibility is really good to. The one with Emma Thompson and a large cast of A list actors.
One of my favorite movies and favorite soundtracks. It would be wonderful to see your reaction to Sense and Sensibility (1995). I know others have recommended it, but I thought I would too. Great reaction! Thank you.
Saw it in the theater when it came out. The beautiful sets, colors, costumes, landscapes, score - all extra amazing on the big screen.
17:47 . . . Or is he full of pride and she’s full of prejudice?? 😂😂😂
I freaking love your facial expressions. You absolutely kill me. 😂😂😂😂😂😂☠️🥰🥰
Mathew Macfayden was great in Ripper Street as well where he plays a detective investigating Jack the Ripper originally then other crimes as the series continued.
Since you've already watched this one, I doubt you'll review any other versions, but the BBC miniseries from 1995 with Colin Firth is very good.
The Colin Firth version is my favorite. Because it's a 6 part series they cover so much more of the story and the characters are more developed.
Oh man. I prefer the 1994 version of sense ad sensibility with Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson. But this is a decent movie
Are you thinking of Sense & Sensibility?
@@mena94x3 I said sense and sensibility
@@ReallyGoodandKind - 🤦♀️🤦♀️😂😂😂😂 Wow. That’s hilarious. Somehow I skipped right over that and only read “Oh man. I prefer the 1994 version with Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson. But this is a decent movie “ . . . or did you add that afterward? It says “edited.” 🤔
Anyway, sorry - and yes, I absolutely love the 1994 Sense and Sensibility as well! 🥰🥰🥰
11:09 It’s a little thing, but half the time I watch this scene, I lose the dialogue because the dance music is one of my favorite pieces of the period: Purcell’s Rondo from Abdelazer (which lots of people know because Benjamin Britton used it as the basis for “A Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra”).
One of my favorite films with one of my favorite reactors. 🍿
I think the two main characters are wonderfully portrayed in this version, so I would always choose this one. Not really my genre, and still, I found myself interested in what happened to this couple and glad to see them end up together. Even the final scene with the kisses, which I would normally hate if watching a romcom, works for me, and that says a lot about the film.
I have watched several men view this movie, and several women too. You are the best so far.... you had the best reactions, your understanding was very quick, and was highly intuitive and spot -on; your enthusiasm over the famous cast and their wonderful acting, and the cinematography, the sets, the costumes was highly gratifying to someone who loves this story and this movie version of it. You even noticed the music, which so many people overlook, although the music is an extremely important factor in guiding the audience reactions. My only problems with this film were: they told the story too fast, introduced the Bennet family too fast, and they changed several things from the way Jane Austen wrote the story which I thought should not have been changed: 1) The relationship between Elizabeth's parents was written to be an unhappy marriage, rife with the husband barely tolerating his wife and letting his children see that fact on a daily basis. This fact influenced Elizabeth strongly, in deciding she would rather be poor in her future, than be married to someone she didn't love. And 2) Mr. Collins was written to be both a comic character, and a character whose actions and words were written to show a particular attitude toward women and toward society. His sycophancy toward Lady Catherine showed us the layers of society well, and his proposal to Elizabeth, which was done partly out of good will, to try to keep the women in their home once the father died, showed us his kindly side, but also his careless idea of women and marriage. But what was left out was the horrible letter he wrote to the family when Lydia ran away with Wickham. Mr. Collins wrote, among other things, that it would have been better if Lydia had died, than for her to do what she did. Mr. Collins also rejoiced that Elizabeth had turned him down, because if she had accepted him, he would have to share the utter disgrace the Bennet family was suffering under. So, this movie didn't show us that side of Mr. Collins at all. However, this is my favorite version, even with its faults, because everything about it is so beautiful, so well done, so perfectly excellent. In case no one else told you, this story took place about 1797, although the book was not published until 1813. I repeat, you understood what was going on in this movie, what people's words and facial expressions meant, more thoroughly and more quickly than anyone else I have seen watch this movie without knowing the story and the history ahead of time. Well done. I subscribed.
This movie has some really stunning shots in it😍
Have you ever seen (the original British) Death at a Funeral with Matthew Mafadyen? Very funny movie.
I think Joe Write directed this about as well as could be done. It’s up there with some of my favorite director movies.
One of my all time favorites! I love this adaptation. Please watch Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant, brilliant!
Absolutely!
I LOVE that movie. In my top five of all time. An incredible cast, and brilliantly acted.
A beauty that still holds up, I too hope it gets the reaction-vid treatment:)
YES! I hope he does that one, too!
I read somewhere that Emma Thompson was brought in to write the scene where Lizzie’s friend comes to her to announce her engagement to Mr Collins. Interesting how a woman’s future was in peril until she was safely married. It wasn’t about romance but survival. Also read there was some resistance to casting Keira as she was thought to be too attractive.
Yes. The credited writer did a credible job on the story's basic structure transferred from the novel to script, but they had to bring in Oscar-winner Emma Thompson who had lived with Austin and the use of language in the early 1800s for a year while she adapted Sense and Sensibility for reworking scenes and writing original actable dialogue in the characters's voices. Who better than someone who is a versatile actor as well. She rewrote the scene where Darcey walks the three miles from Netherfield to see Lizzie to ask her for the last time to marry him, which he did not do in the novel. All of the proposal is her work. And she is to have entirely written the last scene. Breathtaking.
I love this movie. The dialogue cracks me up.
My inner 12 year old girl squeals everytime I see that adorable smile from Darcy lol😍
It's funny you watch Pride and prejudice because of Matthew. I started watching Succession because of him! ps. If you want to know the reactions to the marriage, you can check the book. How Mrs. Bennet reacts to the news is one of my favorite passages of the book!
Mathew Macfaydyn stars in a comedy "Death at a Funeral". Frank Oz directed. 2007. It's hysterical. There are two versions of the movie. One starring MacFaydyn and the other starring Chris Rock in the same role/character in 2010 directed by Neil LaBute. Actually both versions are very funny. Same story, some script changes. Peter Dinklage is in both movies..... same character. haha. And I read the book over the years a few times. Script was close to the book. Movie did the book justice. If you're looking for more Jane Austen to movies, watch Sense and Sensibility starring Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman.
Important facts from the book that are subtle but missed in this movie..
Bingley’s sister wanted to marry Mr. Darcy . Lady Catherine wanted Mr. Darcy to marry her sickly daughter , his cousin.
Mr. Bennett understood that his daughters marrying who they loved was more important, because while he loved his wife , he understood that marrying someone for propriety didn’t make one happy. Mrs. Bennett was quite ridiculous.
My favorite book, I read it 4 times. 🥰
Shan, thank you for sharing your reaction and critique to this adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. You will absolutely discover more depth and nuance with each viewing. May I suggest, watch again with the express intent to only listen to background noises; telling "supporting characters"!
I agree with your perspective that the director allows "down times" to allow the viewer to breathe after the intensity and fast-paced dialogue of the script.
As noted at the end, both main characters possess and ultimately are confronted by and overcome various aspects of pride and prejudice. Would that today's cultures and society at large supported and encouraged this as a worthwhile endeavor.
The 1995 miniseries is the definitive adaptation of Austen's novel, but I really enjoyed this one as well.
They chose to set this film adaptation it about 10 years after the actual setting of the novel, and as you said, the production design is so good that it allows for a different look than the miniseries...there were a lot of changes in fashion and comportment in that one decade.
Knightley nailed the essence of "Lizzie", and it was a real coming out for her after doing Pirates of the Caribbean.
I saw that you said you loved the mother's performance, and so you should. The actress's name is Brenda Blethyn, and if you want to see another great performance from her in a truly spectacularly-acted and written film, check out "Secrets and Lies".
I’ve seen probably every adaptation of this novel and this is by far my favorite I could watch it over and over and over again I just think it’s so amazingly beautiful in every way…and if you want another amazing Jane Austen adaptation watch Sense & Sensibility it’s from 1995 I think and it has Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman and Kate Winslet…another beautiful film that I could watch over and over again
"that's a no!" "perfectly timed thunder" 😂 no for real though, what a clever and observant commentary and reaction! Absolutely love it, will check out more of your work
Shan! I have to say doing a Jane Austen film is a great change of pace for your channel. I love Keira's take on Lizzie. However, my favorite Darcy is and will always be Colin Firth in the BBC miniseries adaptation...which is also really good! Besides this, other worthwhile adaptations of Austen I would suggest...
- 'Emma' with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam as well as the BBC miniseries with Romola Garai are excellent.
- 'Mansfield Park'.
- 'Sense and Sensibility' with an Oscar winning screenplay by Emma Thompson, starring Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, and direction by Ang Lee is wonderful (lots of amazing stars in supporting roles).
- 'Persuasion' with Ciaran Hinds is a gem.
These are straight adaptations. For modern adaptation...'Clueless' with Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd ('Emma') is hysterically funny and pretty spot on written and directed by Amy Heckerling ('Fast Times at Ridgemont High').
One more you might find interesting, since you mentioned 'Bend It Like Beckham' (great movie, btw!) is another Gurinder Chadha film, 'Bride and Prejudice' with Aishwarya Rai (as Lizzie or Lalita Bakshi), Martin Henderson (Darcy), Anupam Kher (Mr. Bennet or Mr. Bakshi), and Naveen Andrews (Bingley or Balraj)...it's set in early 2000s Amritsar, Goa, London, and L.A. It also is a Bollywood-style musical with music by Anu Malik, but not completely "Bollywood". It's a fun take on this story...but not a great film, just a fun one!
If you like Mrs. Bennet you might really like the sister in Persuasion by Jane Austen. She makes me laugh so hard🤣
late to the party but I'm so happy you reacted to one of my fav movies of all times!
Glad you caught the sublime cinematography early on! I can't help but to point that and the music out to everyone I watch it with, it's SO good! Can't believe it was so overlooked at the Oscars.
It's such a perfect, true-to-the-original and yet modern take on the source and perfectly cast as well!
The "hand-flex"-scene, the absolute weirdness of Collins, the perfection that is the dance scene between Darcy and Lizzy, the passing of time when Lizzy is on the swing, the standing on the edge, the meeting on the moor at the end - it's all so perfectly done!
There's also so much (subtle) humour, so much sass and obviously, always the underlying problematics of the money, patriarchy and the class system. sublime, truly!
I love your reactions and you pick up on so many of the subtleties of the dialogue and see the humour too 👏🏽
I've seen a bunch of people react to this one, but I honestly think that the version with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth is the best.
I always enjoyed the 1940 version with Laurence Olivier.
This a two hour movie compared to a six hour miniseries. They’re pretty difficult to straight-up compare. I do find this version more entertaining and romantic, though it does have as much nuance.
@@jamesscanlan6240 I loved the 1940 version when I was a little girl. I tries to rewatch it recently, ... I couldn't bear it.😢
Just like Amelie, the soundtrack of this film is marvelous. For the piano theme, Dario Marianelli did took inspiration from Beethoven's sonatas.
29:00 "[Mrs Bennet's] only worry in life was trying to marry off her daughters."
**Somebody** had to worry about it, and _Mr_ Bennet hasn't been. When he dies, his widow and unmarried daughters will be dependents of his distant cousin Mr Collins, or suffer a drastic decrease in their living standard.
To his credit, Mr Collins _tries_ to do the right thing: offering to marry one of the girls (starting with the eldest and working his way down).
Ya. MacFayden slays Darcy ....... A true Austen Classic....the.movie honors her book.....impeccable cinematography.and set design .camera work. Indeed...superb cast. And acting
There's more to the "hand thing" than most young people understand these days. It would have been customary in that era for young ladies to wear gloves. So when he helped her into the carriage and it turned out that he actually touched her skin, it was even more romantic than most of today's viewers realize!
This is one of my most favorite movies in the 2000s, although I'm not really very enthusiastic about period dramas.
Every character has a distinct feature in the movie and all the actors do a great job portraying their character's unique personality but I really really love Donald Sutherland's character and his acting the most, although he has a relatively minor role. He takes the front role in some critical moments of the movie and he delivers :) Very likeable father character and subtle but quite memorable performance by the actor in my opinion.
There is a BBC series called Death comes to Pemberly, which is set a few years later and Lydia shows up after leaving her Wickham who drinks and gambles. Matthew Rhys plays Darcy and Jenna Coleman plays Lydia. I think you might enjoy.
Recommend you watching other Jane Austen films and/or reading the books!!!
Another Great is Sense and Sensibility directed by Ang Lee and Starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, and Hugh Grant🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
The 1995 version is a 7-hour, 7-part series in England and is more faithful to the book. However, this version is so beautiful I prefer this "short" rendition. If you watch it again check out Elizebeth's "post rejection" acting at the mausoleum. The camara pulls away but you can still observe that she gets wobbly and first uses the post to steady herself then falls back against the wall of the mausoleum...just like she had taken a "gut punch"! Clearly, she had mixed emotions as illustrated by the almost kiss, but that bit of acting was very telling and subtle! It's one of my favorite details of the movie.
Absolutely enjoyed your very astute reaction to this movie. It is fun to see a man watch and appreciate a film that is typically thought of as a story primarily for women. And I expect that you can see why this is quite a popular romance story. But I am glad that you appreciated the class and social commentary. The author, Jane Austin was writing about the period she lived in and the class structure that rigidly controlled much of her life. Making a good marriage was the most important goal for most young women in that period. And while Jane Austin, never married, her novels are very centered around these all important, social relationships. I’m glad that you expect that you will rewatch this film. I would recommend that you consider the 1995 BBC miniseries. Because it is a miniseries it has the chance to delve into the story in much more detail. Also, the actor Rosamund Pike, who played Jane Bennett, has narrated an audio version of this story. It is very well done. The witty dialogue between the characters makes it fun audiobook to listen to. If you do rewatch this film, please pay attention to Mary Bennett when Mr. Collins is in the various scenes with the family. I think it is strongly hinted that she would have been the best match for Mr. Collins from among the sisters.
This is one of those movies that if I catch it on, no matter at which point in the film it's at, I watch it till the end. I love the characters (most of them, Jena's voice is like nails on a chalkboard) and it's just comfortable.
Matthew MacFadyen's Darcy definitely has more nuance in his performance. Other actors I've seen potray Darcy as sort of one dimensional and flat with a snooty attitude. While MacFadyen Partrays Darcy as having the superior air and also being vulnerable and uncertain.
Hi, I love the perfomances of Matthew MacFayden too. You should really cheack out Ripper Street. He is amazing in it too.
Found a little info regarding how much they made and how much it would be equivalent to.
Annual incomes
"According to Austen, Mr. Bennet's annual income is 2,000 pounds, or 160,000 dollars."
Bingley ~ 5,000 pounds or 400,000 dollars
" Darcy's 10,000 pounds or 800,000 dollars"
Succession is absolutely fantastic and Tom is a great character
I'm so happy to see a man being enough curious and openminded to watch such an iconic romantic movie for the female audience !
You are unbelievable ! You notice and appreciate everything (cinematography, acting, light, music, social différences, funny moments...), you recognize every actor... What a pleasure to revisit one of my favorite movie/novel in your company !
A big thanks, you've got a fan.
I'm probably not the first to tell you this : there is only one Darcy ; his name is Colin Firth. In the BBC series AND in the modern adaptation of P&P : "Bridget Jones diary".
Btw, Joe Wright adaptation is a very modern one. The BBC version is more complete, and much more faithful to the book, but I love both of them.
Families loosing everything (home, fourniture, Books...!) when the father dies is a constant theme in Jane Austen's litterature. It is more dramaticly shown in "Sense and Sensibility"❤️(you must watch it).
If you are conscious of that threat, you understand why mothers are obsessed by marrying their daughters.
Please forgive my english : I'm french.
Nope. For me, Matthew Macfadyen is the true Darcy
Only one Darcy? I love Colin but his Darcy was very cold with no nuance. Even the proposal scene was cold. Mathew’s Darcy had more depth and breadth. He was more likeable and much more handsome. However, I really like the actress who played Lizzie in the 1995 version. She was less beautiful than Keira but that was perfect. Lizzie was not supposed to be beautiful. And she was excellent in the role. Sorry that I cannot recall her name.
@@lauriebriggs9705 Jennifer Ehle
The Bennett's are middle-class. Even though Mr. Bennett is a lawyer, he still works for a living and is therefore looked down upon by the landed gentry, such as Mr Darcy's family and especially Lady Catherine. Working was considered a 'distasteful' way to earn an income. The rich made money through their land - passive income.
If you ever rewatch, look out for the eye contact between actors, the looks say so much.
Your movie selection of late has been on point -- Amadeus, Amelie, Pride & Prejudice are in my all-time top 10.
You still need to hit Dangerous Liaisons from the 80s!
Mine too.
I'm a little late to the party but I recently just watched this adaptation myself.
If you watch it again, look at Mr Darcy from the point of view of him being incredibly socially awkward, I think the actor playing him said he saw Mr Darcy as someone really shy.
He looks at her for the first time, and looks away to avoid eye contact, he tells her he doesn't dance, and when she leaves he looks down like ffffff, he was probably replaying that convo in his head all night, watching her dance, looking all sad. Then he asked her what encouraged affection, and he looks to the side like he is "just asking for a friend", and she says dancing. Next time he saw her, he asked her to dance. She tells him to practice small talk, and every time he sees her, he tries to practice. He was not proud, he was struggling with social anxiety!
And the hand flex is just after he touched her for the first time, he was probably incredibly nervous / excited, plus, she is not wearing gloves.
That scene at Mr Bengley's when the camera is following Elizabeth as she enters the house, you can tell he was coming towards her from the side, when she keeps moving forward he decides to walk away not to follow her.
He really does a lot of subtle acting, with his eyes and hands. On a second watch it is more obvious. Mr Darcy in the book is a bit more rude when they meet for the first time. But some scenes are better in the movie, like the first proposal when it's raining. In the book that scene is different, but a lot of the dialogue is the same.
I like some of the movie choices better. I find them perfectly agreeable.
I loved this review and your reactions! One of my favourite films
Try Wuthering Heights (2009) w Tom Hardy. Really good adaptation from the book.
The book does explain how Mr.Wickham quickly lost his affection toward Lydia and she eventually toward him...
Judi Dench is great in this, but she also starred in "Cranford" and "Return to Cranford" miniseries - which takes place around the same time period. She plays a much different character - a spinster in a small town outside Manchester. Both Pride & Prejudice and Cranford are based on period books, they have somewhat similar dialog. It's interesting to see what people had to do to survive, the social dynamics, and the unfortunate set of options that were often available to women who weren't from very wealthy families.
I have not personally read the book, but I'm told this one of the better cinematic adaptations. I'm a huge Keira Knightley stan, so my opinion of the quality of this movie is extremely tainted.
Fun Fact: Director Joe Wright was not initially keen on Keira Knightley playing Elizabeth, believing her to be too attractive. He changed his mind upon meeting her, deciding her tomboyish attitude would be perfect for the part.
Haha, what timing...I just watched "Pride & Prejudice & Zombies" last night. Having read the original(s), I have to say I'm impressed with Ms. Austen's use of dialogue and ironic wordplay to show the extreme social restraints of the time, while admirably communicating the characters' genuine feelings.
Let me say this now... People are not crazy in love with someone if they don't get silly goofy when they meet the one. You're supposed to drop your jaw like the old cartoons and get sweaty and awkward. It's not just the physical attraction, you just feel drawn to them, even if you don't get along at first. I say this from experience. The best experience.
Both parents are doing it wrong, in the movie (and other adaptations) Mr Bennet is often depicted as the good parent and Mrs Bennet as the bad parent. Mrs Bennet is ignorant and a bit annoying, but her worry that all of them will be homeless if they don't marry well before Mr Bennet dies is not ridicilous. It's a legitimate worry, that happened in real life at the time often enough. She needs to be sure her daughters won't end up on the streets. Mr Bennet knows his wife is raising their daughters wrong (Lydia is way too spoiled for example) and he doesn't jump in to stop it. He did raise Jane and Elizabeth, and both of them are sensible and clever. But he stopped doing anything with the younger girls, even when he knew his wife was spoiling Lydia and letting the youngest three just do whatever, instead of teaching his daughters he did nothing. When he knew that letting Lydia go to Brighton on her own (or at least without adequate supervision) would mean she would get into trouble he didn't stop it. He thought she would be annoying somewhere else. :)
Mrs Bennet's 'sin' is spoiling and ignorance, and Mr Bennet's is neglect.
And yeah, both Elizabeth and Mr Darcy were being prideful and prejudiced. Mr Darcy takes Elizabeth's rejection to heart and fixes his mistakes, Elizabeth is also changed by Mr Darcy telling her all the ways her family was behaving terribly. She sees their mistakes, and now knows what it costs their family.
Such a superb review that I went and put the movie on downstairs!❤
4:56 . . . There’s a lot of essays, video or otherwise, out there on this topic.
Basically it boils down to the fact they are in the same _financial_ social class (though the Bennetts are on the lower/middle end of it) but more importantly, the Bennetts are far more _socially_ poor, which is why/how Darcy looks down on them. Their _social_ connections are lacking, though they are in the same class.
In the books you get into Mr Darcy’s inner struggle with being attracted to someone so beneath him economically and socially and he can’t understand why. It very entertaining to go through his inner struggle with him.
Loved the movie, loved watching you watch it :) I was pleased that you picked up on the camera work immediately; that's the sort of thing that I have to have pointed out to me. It is splendid, though. One of the big changes from the book is that Mr. Darcy's first proposal was during that visit to Lizzie. In this one he apparently lost his nerve. But the scene in the rain is *gorgeous* and the one in the parlor is pretty funny, so I'm happy with the change.
I love this work and should you consider the 1995 version you will likely enjoy it with a very different feel. Great reaction. I hope you take the time to watch the first major film by Ridley Scott from 1977, THE DUELISTS. A period piece with wonderful music and beautiful shots.
If you like Mathews performance check out BBC - Stephen Poliakoff’s Perfect Stranger (may be called Almost Strangers outside of the UK), 4hr drama from 2001, he’s superb in it. Poliakoffs work from that period was superb.
He was also great in Any Human Heart
He was great also in Spooks, Warriors (1999)/Peacekeepers, and Little Dorit. He's totally hot. Don't forget Ripper Street
Love this movie.
This is one of my top comfort films (second only to The Princess Bride) and my favorite adaptation of one of my favorite books. :) Definitely check out more Jane Austen stuff (books and adaptations) if you get the chance. Plenty of gems in there.
You caught so much of the social and personal stakes that often take a few rewatches or knowledge of regency society to catch. I loved all the film making references too, the oners and transitions and composition are gorgeous. If you were going to do any more Austen I would recommend anything that came out in 1995: the P&P miniseries which has time to be faithful to the comedy of manners style of the book; the Sense and Sensibility movie that Emma Thompson won an Oscar for best screenplay; and the movie of Persuasion which is a very hard story to translate to film but this adaptation was so lovely and endearing ✨🌟🌙