Pride and Prejudice (2005)

This latest incarnation of the Jane Austen classic is one of the best and most enjoyable costume dramas/literary adaptations in recent years. Deborah Moggach's screenplay nicely condenses the novels events into a full two hours, that neither compromises the story nor overloads the running time. Director Joe Wright proves a good craftsman, bringing life and energy to familiar characters and familiar settings. He also seems to have a visual flare, particularly as demonstrated in the ballroom scenes with some extraordinarily well orchestrated camera work. Keira Knightley gives her strongest performance to date as Elizabeth Bennett, an excellent performance for that matter. Matthew MacFadyan brings a strong presence if not a wide range to the role of Mr. Darcy. Wright also manages to avoid the pratfalls and cliches of films of this type, by not devolving into sentimentality. He wisely keeps a restraint on the emotional material, allowing the audience to build sympathy for the character and flow with the story. Overall, a very satisfying and well-realized film.