Pride & Prejudice: Grade A

A

Pride & Prejudice

Kiera Knightley, with Judy Dench and Donald Sutherland. Director=Joe Wright

The classic Jane Austen love story is well told, and Kiera Knightly jumps off the screen. It’s hard to believe this is the same woman who starred in the gritty thriller “Domino.” Nicole Kidman better watch her back. I generally do not enjoy “costume dramas” but I was drawn by the Austen story, and I’m glad I was. The language is beautiful, the writing superb. Photography is excellent and the totally believable sets appear to be well researched. The costumes are, well, costumes – too clean, too perfect, too colorful: costumes for the sake of costumes. Except for that, you get a real sense of time and place (England, 1813). Note to guys: there are no guns, explosions, vehicular chases, or heists. This is just a great exercise in wit and subtlety.