Picture Credits: Wikipedia
"It is a truth universally acknowledged,
that a single man in possession of a good fortune,
must be in want of a wife"
Ironic to this introductory and arguably most popular line in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is the understanding that society dictates that “every young woman must be in want of a husband”, a point which becomes more conspicuous as one delves into this Classic Regency masterpiece, loyally adapted as a movie generally bereft of major plot or character changes.
Movie Name - Pride and Prejudice
Directed by - Joe Wright
Based on - Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” (1813)
Starring - Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Brenda Blethyn, Donald
Sutherland, Tom Hollander, Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, Judi Dench
Duration - 2h 7mins
Genre - Romance, Drama
Language - English
Plot (Spoiler Alert!)
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, along with their daughters – Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia – live at Longbourn, their estate in rural England, in the late 18th century. Mrs. Bennet is hilariously portrayed as the woman whose “business of her life was to get her daughters married”.
As wealthy bachelor Charles Bingley moves into nearby Netherfield, he meets Jane and the Bennett sisters at an assembly ball with his sister, Caroline, and friend, Mr. Darcy. and are instantly smitten with each other. On the contrary, Elizabeth dislikes the aloof Darcy right away as she overhears his disparaging remarks about her.
Mr. Collins, a self important clergyman, pays a visit to the Bennets. Being Mr. Bennet’s nephew, Collins is set to inherit Longbourn. He plans on proposing to Jane, but Mrs. Bennet suggests Elizabeth instead.
The day after the ball, where she obliges to Mr. Darcy’s request for a dance, Collins proposes only to be rejected by Elizabeth, much to Mrs. Bennet’s horror. Soon, she finds out that he is betrothed to her best friend, Charlotte who defends herself by saying that not everyone can afford to be a romantic.
Later on her visit to the newly-wed Collins’, Elizabeth finds out that Mr. Darcy is the reason behind Mr. Bingley leaving, terminating his relationship with Jane. Disgusted, Elizabeth is approached by Darcy, who proposes marriage and declares his love for her "most ardently" despite her lower social standing.
As she rejects him, she criticizes Darcy’s treatment of Lieutenant Wickham, leaving Darcy shattered; he soon defends himself with a letter exposing Wickham’s true character.
Elizabeth visits Pemberley, the Darcy estate with the Gardiners, where Darcy invites them to dinner and introduces her to his sister, Georgiana, who reveals Darcy’s fondness of Elizabeth. She urgently receives a letter stating that Lydia has eloped with Wickham, to which Darcy abruptly leaves.
As she returns home, she finds out that Lydia and Wickham are now married, thanks to Darcy paying for the wedding and Wickham’s commission to impress Elizabeth.
Mr. Bingley returns to town and proposes to Jane, who heartily accepts. Darcy apologizes to Elizabeth for his aunt, Lady Catherine’s ambush and proposes to her again. With a change of heart having finally found the love she has desperately longed for, she accepts.
Themes Involved
Marriage remains the central theme as well as the focal agenda throughout the novel. While the exuberant amount of attention to marriage seems preposterous at the first glance, it can be understood that marriage was considered the only respectable option for a young woman to be able to support herself financially at the time.
The different perspectives and purposes of marriage have been highlighted in the form of several contrasting marriages in the film.
Mr. Bennet explained that when he was courting Mrs. Bennet, her beauty blinded him to her frivolity. He now spends most of his time in the library ignoring family affairs, using his silly wife just as an object of amusement.
Hence, marrying for lust, oblivious to the compatibility of their temperaments has made Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s marriage filled with regret.
He solely wants to marry someone in order to fulfill his duty as a clergyman and to impress his patroness, Lady Catherine. In contrast, Charlotte Lucas accepts Mr. Collins with all his shortcomings and they enter a marriage of convenience and mutual benefits.
Their marriage is a great example of a socially favorable match of the time, where Charlotte gains financial stability and Mr. Collins gains social status.
While Lydia believes that she is completely in love with Wickham, her true benefit of marriage is in restoring her respectability in society as opposed to her reputation of a ‘fallen woman’ due to their eloping. For Wickham, their marriage is a source of moderate wealth that Mr. Darcy pays him when he marries Lydia.
As a stark contrast to these three marriages, are marriages of mutual affection, love and compatible temperaments, applauded for their balance of emotional and societal expectations. Jane and Bingley’s marriage is seemingly more advantageous for Jane than for Mr. Bingley due to his fortune, but knowing their admiration for one another, it might not have mattered to them at all.
Though Mr. Darcy reminds Lizzy that their match isn’t necessarily as suitable for him as for her, he eventually goes above and beyond to win her affection, proving that love is of the highest order for them.
Critical Reception
The film, produced by Working Title Films in collaboration with Studio Canal, was released on September 16, 2005 in the United Kingdom and November 11, 2005 in the United States, earning a worldwide gross of approximately $121 million.
At the 78th Academy Awards, Pride and Prejudice garnered four nominations, including Best Actress for Keira Knightley. It was also nominated for Best Film and Best Actress at the Golden Globe Awards. Joe Wright won the British Director of the Year at the London Film Critics’ Circle.
Famous Quotes
"Not all of us can afford to be romantic."
"When you have five daughters, Lizzy, tell me what else will occupy your thoughts."
"No, I prefer to be unsociable and taciturn. Makes it all so much more enjoyable, don't you think?"
"We are all fools in love."
"Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do."
"Can you die of happiness?"
"You have bewitched me, body and soul."
The Bottom Line
With its impeccable insight into the social life of the time, this movie is sure to transport you back to the 18th century, and on the quest to find your special someone!
My Ratings for the movie - 4.5 on 5
Stream now on YouTube - Pride and Prejudice
Written By - Kristi Mazumdar
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