Modernizing books into film usually sets literary fans up for a huge letdown.
When filmmakers decide to make updated versions of a time-honored classic like, say, Pride and Prejudice, it seems like their creative juices are exhausted and they are otherwise incapable of producing an original script. The new film, "Pride and Prejudice," is not a startling exception, but it does manage to avoid complete failure.
The film bravely travels the thin line between creative reproduction and fluffed-up copy and survives with only a few slip-ups.
The tale of centers around its title, the prejudice of first impressions and the proud habit of stubbornly keeping that prejudice.
The characters of Jane Austen's novel retain more than their names in this modern twist. Elizabeth Bennet, the independent, hot-headed leading lady, is transformed from a discontented, single daughter to a budding, young novelist. Her lack of grace and tendency to jump to conclusions keeps with Austen's character.
The film casts her sisters as roommates, an understandable change given the film's college setting. The roommates, Jane, Lydia, Kitty and Mary have a half-and-half quality about them, meaning that while Jane and Lydia are decently realized characters, Mary and Kitty become flat, annoyingly stereotypical characters whose only purpose is juvenile comic relief. Jane, however, is sweet and sad and has some actual depth. Lydia is wonderfully infuriating and equally amusing.
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The film's shining attribute though is Will Darcy, played by Orlando Seale. His was the only character to remain British in the modernization, and Seale played the part fantastically.
In the film's opening, the audience can quite clearly see this guy as a complete jerk. But, in keeping with the novel's theme, first impressions can be misleading and soon the film reveals him to be a sweet, shy, good guy - a rarity amongst the male characters. Darcy's dialogue is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the film. His wit, sarcasm and articulate bluntness make for an interesting protagonist. When asked why he's reading alone in the garage during a party he responds, "Sometimes being along is my only chance for decent company," before writing the majority of women off as "social-climbing sycophants."
The film's division into chapters creates an interesting addition the this modernization. Quotes from the novel, such as "What are men to the rocks and mountains?" and "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance," separate the film's chapters from each other.
The use of color and lighting also make this film stand out from the myriad of modernizations. Stark contrasts combined with harsh overheads and backlighting make the characters seem more realistic than the usual polished gems of Hollywood.
The movie does fall short of keeping the various actions of the characters in character. Lydia, vaguely described as a bit of a tramp, decides to get hitched to a man with no real benefits for her, with not so much as a question mark in her way to matrimonial bliss. This isn't in line with her character at all and was deeply frustrating.
"Pride and Prejudice" will not leave Austen rolling in her grave as this movie is a charming, cutesy tribute to her classic novel. Still, don't expect much more for it than that.
