CAIRO: While I was thrilled to learn of the release of “Pride and Prejudice in Egypt, none of my acquaintances seemed to share my enthusiasm for the latest adaptation of Jane Austen s beloved novel. They were divided into two camps: Fans of the novel who were discouraged to see an adaptation with a young, pretty Elizabeth Bennet, and those who perceive the novel to be another boring, British period drama.
I would have liked nothing more than to come back at them with a strong argument, I had none, and my own excitement began to wane. Now, however, after seeing the film, it is obvious that “Pride and Prejudice is one of the most pleasant surprises of the year so far.
The first cinematic adaptation of the novel was released in 1940 and starred Greer Garson and Lawrence Olivier. Several other TV versions have been made since then, including the highly celebrated 1995 Colin Firth, Jennifer Ehle mini-series. For the last 10 years, this mini-series has been regarded as the quintessential Pride and Prejudice adaptation. Finally, the British production company Working Title (of “Four Weddings and a Funeral, “Notting Hill fame) assigned new filmmaker Joe Wright in 2004 to direct the first adaptation of Austen s novel in more than 60 years.
Pride and Prejudice opens with a shot of a young woman strolling down the meadows of what appears to be an old English countryside with a smile on her face. The picture is heavenly, and everything surrounding the young lady appears to have been touched by her unusual beauty and tenderness. The camera follows her until she reaches a small house filled with a group of girls laughing, arguing and playing. The lovely sight of these girls seems to have distracted the camera from its main concern but, like a stalking eye, it returns swiftly back to the young lady, refusing to abandon her company again.
The young lady is Elizabeth Bennet, played by Keira Knightley in her first actual breakthrough role. Ms. Bennet is the second eldest daughter of a lower middle-class family in Georgian England. The Bennet family is composed of five daughters who are drastically different in manners and personalities. Mrs. Bennet (Brenda Blethyn), the matriarch of the family, is a kind, yet annoyingly nagging mother whose life revolves around one thing: finding suitable, wealthy husbands for her daughters. One night, a new potential suitor emerges in the shape of Mr. Bingley, who decides to spend the summer in a large mansion in the country. Mr. Bingley (Simon Woods) is accompanied by Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen), a wealthy, haughty cheerless gentleman whose unyielding straight face suggests a deeper baffling different persona.
The Bennets are introduced to Mr. Bingley and his friend in a small neighborhood party. Elizabeth doesn t think much of Mr. Darcy at first, especially after she overhears him describing her as Perfectly tolerable but not handsome enough. Elizabeth grabs every opportunity to embarrass and indirectly offend Mr. Darcy until his mask gradually starts to disintegrate to reveal a compassionate, gentle and honest man who s desperately in love with a woman too proud to see his sincere affections.
Jane Austen s story deals with clashes between social classes and the bigotry of the rich, the concept of marriage and the barriers that prevent us for engaging in meaningful relationships with others. But, first and foremost, Pride and Prejudice is a love story. It doesn t dwell deep into Austen s themes in the manner of the 1995 300 minute version, reducing in the process other prominent characters in the story such as Mr. Wickham and Mr. Collins to supporting roles. Instead, it chooses to focus on the Darcy/Elizabeth relationship with all its tribulations, misunderstandings and warmth.
The biggest appeal of both the story and the film is Elizabeth Bennet. Lizzie still remains a great character not only because of her wit, strength, allure and dignity, but also for her utter devotion, unpretentious courage and delicacy.
If there s one reason though to see Pride and Prejudice, it has to be for Keira Knightley s performance. Lizzie isn t supposed to be good-looking, but Knightley after all, doesn t have the features of a standard Hollywood beauty. The pointed cheek-bones, scruffy teeth and boyish figure aren t worlds away from Ms. Bennet, but it is Knightley s eyes that disclose her beauty and capture the real essence of Lizzie. Knightley perfectly displays both the strength and fragility of Elizabeth, infusing her with a multitude of different emotions that many actresses failed to realize in past performances.
As for Matthew Macfadyen, he might not be as dashing as Colin Firth, but he s more human and empathetic. Macfadyen succeeds in portraying a man who hides his insecurities under his protective conceited guise.
Joe Wright s direction is simply dazzling. There are enormous doses of spellbinding beauty infused in every frame of the film. Wright s sense of realism in depicting the small details that formed life at the time gives the film the authenticity it requires without compromising the beautiful structure of his frames. What Wright created is a realistic dream; a stunning world that doesn t deviate from reality but stands as a portrait of a place and a time that is no longer there.
Pride and Prejudice is a film about love with all its confusion, yearning, complications, hurt and ecstasy. It is a film about the uncertain feelings that occupy lovers and the fear of rejection that troubles every man on a brink of a new relationship. Most of all though, it s a film about two good natured characters who, despite their small flaws, represent a better version of us and what perhaps we would like to be. We love those characters and expect the best for them, simply because that is what we would like to have were we as pure as them.
The onslaught of big summer blockbusters begins next week with “Mission Impossible III. “Pride and Prejudice doesn t contain explosions or big special effects, but it s as enthralling as anything you ll see all summer.
Pride and Prejudice is playing at Genena Mall, Bandar Cinema, City Center and Renaissance Nile City.
