Customer Reviews

Pride & Prejudice

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(21)

 

 

If Hollywood can turn Jane Austen's "Emma" into "Clueless," then it is not surprising that they would made "Pride & Prejudice" into "A Latter-Day Comedy," as happens in this 2003 film from director Andrew Black. Once Leonard Bernstein turned "Romeo & Juliet" into "West Side Story" pretty much all things became possible in this regard. But given that Austen's heroine Elizabeth Bennett had to contend with the strictures of social class and the demands of family fidelity, there are some inherent problems in such an effort. The screenplay by Anne K. Black, Jason Faller and Katherine Swigert does this by jettisoning the parents and other adults and deciding to tell the story in Salt Lake City: Suddenly light bulbs come on and the fact this is a "Latter-Day" comedy because the characters are primarily Mormons and Elizabeth Bennett is a student at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

Surprisingly, despite the success of the sterling BBC/A&E production where Collin Firth was the first Darcy I ever saw that made the role work, there has not been a theatrical version of "Pride & Prejudice" since 1940, let alone in a modern setting. So we have the new and improved Elizabeth Bennett (Kam Heskin) who is now both a student and an aspiring novelist. Instead of being saddled with four sisters she now has four housemates, Jane (Lucila Solá) from Argentina, Mary (Rainy Kerwin), Lydia (Kelly Stables), and Kitty (Nicole Hamilton). Elizabeth is snubbed by Fitzwilliam Darcy (Orlando Seale) while Jane is smitten by Charles Bingley (Ben Gourley), whose sister Caroline (Kara Holden) has her eyes set on Darcy. Then there are the new versions of Jack Wickham (Henry Maguire), Charlotte (Carmen Rasmusen), and Collins (Hubbel Palmer).

I was wondering if you could enjoy this version of "Pride & Prejudice" without being familiar with Austen's novel and quickly realized this was a moot point because choice quotations from Austen's work are provide (with cites no less). This film does not want you to forget they are updating Jane Austen and in fact that ends up being necessary for smoothing over the problematic part of the story, which is when Darcy, who is still English, expresses his interesting in dating Elizabeth in a manner and with words so condescending that she cuts him off at the knees and looks like she would want to continue working her way up his body with her sharp instrument of choice. In the English society of Austen's time when arranged marriages were much more the norm, Darcy's approach was at least understandable (and part of the charm of the novel is that the heroine's future mate digs himself one of the biggest holes in Western literature from which to continue wooing a woman). But being English does not seem to allow this Darcy the same liberty to be so insensitive and the problem is that Seale has to reconcile the prejudicial jerk of the first act with the nice guy who emerges by act three (Seale is not alone in facing this problem as Darcy; as I indicated above, only Firth has carried it off as far as I am concerned).

Fortunately Heskin is winsome in the role of Elizabeth and they come up with some cute ways of updating some of the twists and turns in Austen's novel. Therefore it is not surprising that some of the more memorable scenes in the film are those that never appeared in the novel (the aftermath of Elizabeth's refusal of her first offer of marriage is probably my favorite). As for the fact this is a "Mormon" movie, I suppose members of the Church of Latter-Day Saints will be able to point to lots of things that make it such, but I never really noticed anything so I cannot imagine many people are going to be able to find fault with the film on that score. The result is an enjoyable enough family film and there is something to be said for having a "clean" romantic comedy that never tries to sanitize the story or get as zany as what happened with "Clueless." Austen purists will no doubt be offended, but that judgment will be made before the opening credits are done and they still have the BBC/A&E version to watch for the umpteenth time.

I was not really expecting a whole lot based on some of the reviews I had read about this movie. Good thing I went ahead and rented it though, for it turned out to be one of the funniest and sweetest romantic comedies I had ever seen. Even my friend, who really does not like watching movies in general, found it to be a delight. By the time the movie ended, I had decided that it was a "must-own"...yep, that good.

Storyline Snapshot: Elizabeth Bennett's life is filled with attending college, working at the local bookstore, and attempting to perfect her first novel. She has all the companionship she needs from her 4 roommmates Lydia, Kitty, Mary, and Jane...and, of course, Lydia's dog Austen. The last thing Elizabeth needs or wants is a man complicating her life. Then Lizzie's best friend, Jane, meets the man of her dreams. Unfortunately, Jane's boyfriend, Charlie, is best friends with the high and mighty Will Darcy. This means that now Elizabeth has to keep running into the proud Darcy...and every time he seems to want to pick a fight. Sound Familiar? Well, it is. I found the references to Jane Austen's work, Pride and Prejudice, fun to pick out and the rest of the story pretty original and fun. Five stars.

I'm addicted to most things that have a Jane Austen theme so I couldn't resist this movie in the video store. I found it to be a light and clever adaptation of Pride and Prejudice that maintained some of the moral mores of Austen's time (a religious university setting helped this a great deal). However, it is a greatly pared down version that revolves only around the central characters of the original. Gone are nearly all the supporting characters that are some of Austen's most memorable sketches of human folly.

If you take your Austen seriously don't expect this to be a faithful or meaningful adaptation. Look to it as a charming novelty to while away a couple of hours.

This version of Pride & Prejudice is a beautiful & delightful modern twist on a Jane Austine classic. This relatively unknown gem was the brainchild of director Andrew Black and cinematographer Travis Cline. Filmed mostly in Provo Utah this film proves that beauty and quality can be created on a shoe string, many of the locations and the use of the vehicles seen in the film were donated. And many of the extras donated their time also. This being said there is no scrimping on style and charm and talent in this film. The main characters were played by Kam Heskin, British actor Orlando Seale, Argentinean actress Lucila Sola & a local young man Ben Gourley. I guarantee we haven't seen the last of these young actors. Kam Heskin & Orlando Seale already have other film credits under their belt. This is a light comedy distributed by Excel Entertainment Group. To get an idea of the look of this film they have a colorful website that can be found on the world web dot prideprejudice dot com This film is good clean fun perfect for a 13 to 16 year old female, although I must admit that I a 49 year old female have been mezmerized by it's charm through 4 viewings, and I can't count the times my 12 year old has seen it. So if your looking for films with a positive message and good wholesome fun for a church going daughter this is it...Thanks

Surprisingly, I laughed and laughed. My wife bought this, she's a Pride and Prejudice fan, and I ended up watching it too. Very funny, good acting, I'd say in its way, it's better than the other Pride and Prejudices I've seen (and I've had exposure to them all, admittedly mostly against my will). If you like entertaining, clever movies, this one is a good time.

--Marty

This movie is different than most. It's supposed to be. ;o)

This film is set in the LDS singles' scene in Provo, UT. But you wouldn't know that unless you had been there and lived in it. If you're LDS, and have experienced some of the singles' culture there, the film will be all the more rich and funny for you. If you're not, you'll miss some of the nuances, but it's still totally enjoyable. (Once you understand that there are strong pressures to marry in your early twenties, and that abstinence before and fidelity after marriage are highly prized, you're good to go.) The college Elizabeth (Kam Heskin) attends is never identified as Brigham Young University, but it's recognizably evident it was filmed there. I had a Physical Science class in the room where her English class is held, and the library scenes were unmistakable, as were the scenes filmed on West Center Street downtown, and at the hotel just west of the NuSkin building on Center Street. (There may have been one or two outdoor campus shots taken at UVSC down in Orem, as well.) When Elizabeth and Jack Wickham are walking back to Elizabeth's car after their dinner at the Indian Restaurant (where they were given the check by the Daniel himself (executive director and owner of the Bombay House where Jack & Elizabeth ate)), they're walking along the street right in front of the Utah County buildings there on Center Street and University Ave. It was a kick recognizing the various scenes and settings, right down to the tux shop where I rented tuxedoes for the groomsmen at my wedding, just two doors down from the bookshop where Elizabeth works.

As for the supposed religious slant of the film, the words "Mormon" and "LDS" are never mentioned, and there is very little reference to anything religious. They do mention "church" a few times in context, there is a scene in a religious service monopolized by Collins as he humiliates Elizabeth, and there's a 3-second shot of Elizabeth reading a slim, navy blue softbound book. (Btw, Collins would have not gotten away with that in real life. The bishop would have stopped him within the first few minutes. The things he was saying are totally skewed in regards to LDS doctrine concerning marriage, let alone how we're supposed to treat one another!) The biggest things that point out the faith of the cast and crew were the lack of cleavage, foul language and sex scenes. (If those are vital in order for you to enjoy a movie, then just skip this one.) I really enjoyed the fact that this film was about the characters themselves, without those distractions.

****Spoilers Ahead*****

Kam and Orlando (Elizabeth and Darcy), did a bang-up job on their parts. They're the only characters who were afforded the screen time to really develop much. (In a 104 minute movie, I'm surprised they did as well as they did. I would have loved to see this with an hour more screen time.) The rest of the cast (Kitty, Lydia, Charlie, Jack, especially Mary & Collins, and even Jane) were foils for those two, and did a great job in that capacity. (Remember, a "foil" is a one- or two-dimensional character meant to set off a lead role.) Mary is a nod to the old cultural idea of the "Molly Mormon," and Collins is the iconic male counterpart to that concept. The scenes where Elizabeth and Darcy are able to interact are magical to me. They say so much with their eyes and faces. Just after Elizabeth tells Darcy that she's leaving for London to TA for the next semester, her eyes are enough to make your own heart ache, waiting for her tears to spill. And when Darcy first tries asking Elizabeth out, you're just squirming inside . . . you can see that he knows that he's taking a long shot, but he's so inexplicably attracted to her that he's compelled to at least try. Then you want to throttle Caroline at several points in the film, and hug Charlie (Charles Bingham) because he's such a sweet innocent (and purposefully so--he's Jane's counterpart, remember?). Lydia and Kitty have their own cute moments, as well as a touching one at the end. There's a lot of depth to this film, if you take the time to really pay attention. You pick up a lot of hilarious details the second time through that you wouldn't catch the first time.

****End Spoilers****

This film has its limiatations--it was a tight-budget affair, with all kinds of hitches and obstalces along the way. A wrecked generator, the party set blew down the mountainside THREE times over the three days they shot there, extras leaving during the all-night shoots for the party scenes (they had 12 extras left during the punchbowl scene with Elizabeth and Collins), and other miscellaneous run-ins made for creative workarounds (like the low-angle shot in the punchbowl scene). But it's very well done nonetheless. I think that constraints like that make for a far more interesting film.

I think I'm going to watch it again tonight. :o)

I found it refreshing, winsome, and witty! I thought Elizabeth was sweet and adorable, Darcy was just plain charming and handsome, Jane was very cute and funny, Charles was kind of ditzy, Lydia was annoyingly herself, kitty was kind of over the top, Caroline her nasty self, and Collins was hilarious. I didn't really like Jack's character, but then I don't like him in the novel or the 1995 miniseries. The casting was really good.

Even though I am a Christian, I didn't notice anything noticeably LDS. I have to say I admire them for making some clean movies. We sure do need more of these movies and not the trash that Hollywood usually makes.

I loved this movie and am buying it!!!

Set at a Mormon college, this movie takes the classic story of Pride & Prejudice and gives it a new spin.

Elizabeth is now a college student working in a book store and living with four roommates, also known as the original Bennett sisters. Jane has been transformed into an exchange student with a heavy, and sometimes painful spanish accent. Kitty and Lydia are still sisters and maintain that grating idioticness seen in the book and all other remakes of the film. Mary retains her awkwardness, but instead of the piano she sings her way into embarrassment.

Darcy is a publisher, as handsome and full of pride as ever. Wickham is now a fraud and a bigamist, and is probably the most abused character in the entire movie. Gone is the efficacy and the charm that fools the viewer into believing him to be a decent character, from the bat the viewer knows that in the future we will not like him. Bingler provides comic relief in a role that has been written to match Jane, both contain characteristics that can make the skin crawl, but overall both are beloved. Collins stays true to form, and perhaps is even more annoying than usual.

The storyline itself provides enjoyment for fans of the book and the A&E Version. It provides happy endings for all the characters and is a goldmine of references to the book and other movies. Not only is the movie enjoyable, but it is a great escape for the afternoon. I highly recommend it!

I'll admit right off the bat that I only watched this film because I read that it was filmed at my university (Brigham Young University). The Mormon film industry didn't exist when I attended school there (1997-1999) and I've been waiting to see a film set on the campus I remember so well with mixed emotions. Unfortunately, we only get a split second glimpse at high speed. But that's not what this film is about.

The bright, candy-colored clothes, walls, and other images make this film reminiscent of "Down With Love" and "Clueless"; and this film makes no apologies for being a chick flick. It's probably the most chick flick film I've ever seen so far. Although the movie is about Mormons and set in Provo, Utah, it's actually filmed with a broader audience in mind. We don't get the in your face Mormon doctrine like so many other Mormon movies. This one is meant to appeal to anyone, Jane Austen fan or not.

What surprised me most was that I didn't expect the film to be so funny. With enough quirky characters and the agendas they pursue, the set up is guaranteed for laughs aplenty. Mormon audiences, obviously, will enjoy some of the more inside jokes, but anyone who's seen "Down With Love" will appreciate the sensibility and humor of this film. I've never read Jane Austen's famous novel, but after seeing this (and "Bride and Prejudice"), I may just pick it up. I'm not sure how loyal this film is to the novel, but purist who are horrified by the modern retelling should relax. They still have their high quality BBC production starring Colin Firth. This one is meant for those who are hesitant to read Jane Austen, like me, who may actually get curious and start reading.

The performances by all the actors are well done, and for a low budget film, I'm impressed. This film is high quality all the way, immensely watchable, quotable, and laugh out loud funny. Give this one a chance.

My two daughters (12 and 9), my husband (49), and I all loved this movie. The writers cleverly and respectfully update the story, creating a tale for today without compromising its integrity. Their adoration for P&P shines through. I was dubious that they could tell the story in less than two hours as completely as the 5+ hour BBC version that I adore. And while they left the older generation out altogether, they did a sensitive and sensible job of placing Austen's dilemma's in a modern context. This ain't no BBC production, nor does it have a Hollywood budget, but it is a wild and wonderful retelling.

This movie is not for Austen purists. The writers took a few liberties with a couple of story lines (Mr. Collins makes a better choice, etc.). But if you are looking for a fresh, fun take on Austen's masterpiece, this movie is an excellent choice.

My husband asked me if I thought Jane Austen would like this. I replied with a resounding "Yes! I think she would find it utterly delightful."

Also, the sound track itself is engaging and worth checking out.

I look forward to the next production by the writers and director and hope that it is as delighful and innovative and family friendly as this one. We will be giving this one as a gift to friends old and young alike.