Jane Austen's novels have appeared so many times as fodder for feature films that the idea of yet another one makes one a bit ill. I walked into this latest version of the oft- filmed classic expecting to hate every moment of it. Boy, was I wrong! This is a fantastic, authentic, realistic, compelling and romantic film.

The whole basis of Austen's work, in particular "Pride and Prejudice," seems to be to expose the misogyny and absurdism of the class system of England in the late 1700's. In order to do a film version that honors her ideals, it is important to make sure we understand exactly what life was like for the Bennets, a family that is neither rich nor poor, perhaps what we might now call middle-class, as juxtaposed against the wealth and opulence of the Darcys and the Bingleys. In order to do this well, the appearance of the Bennet's home must be perfect. This is achieved here with precision. Their home is not the home of a wealthy or even an upper-middle-class family. There is laundry hanging in the backyard amongst the dogs, pigs and chickens. The paint on the house is peeling and in need of more than just some touching up. Likewise, the clothes the five Bennet girls wear are plain and typical of their class for the times. These details, which sometimes seem to get lost in the opulence of those trying to emulate Merchant/Ivory epics, are the focal points of this adaptation directed by Joe Wright (who up until now has worked mainly in British TV) and scripted by Deborah Moggach. It makes all the difference in the world.

The acting here, as well, is simply top notch. Does anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, have the resolve to avoid getting lost in the smile of Keira Knightley? She is as charming and delightful here as she was in "Bend It Like Beckham." Her charm and her facade makes it enormously easier for us to fall head over heels into the romanticism of the story. To be sure, everyone in the film is enormously likeable. Donald Sutherland and Brenda Blethyn are superb as the parents of the Bennet girls here, Talulah Riley, Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, and Carrey Mulligan provide rich and complex characters, even with limited screen time, as Knightley's sisters. Simon Woods (hubba hubba), Matthew MacFadyen, and Rupert Friend are handsome and beguiling enough to win our hearts as the male suitors. And Tom Hollander is a hilarious delight as Mr. Collins. Even Dame Judi Dench, who only has five minutes here to be little more than a bitch, is wicked fun. The script gives all of these characters adequate moments to engage us and nary an actor misses their chance. This is one of the most delightful ensembles on screen this year.

But it is the verisimilitude as much as the quaintness and romanticism of "Pride and Prejudice" that won me over. In the middle of watching a fancy ball where numerous people danced, drank and conversed, I couldn't help wonder about where everyone at a party in that day and age went to the bathroom. With such propriety and niceties in evidence, yet so much liquid being consumed, and everything being so realistic, it just seemed like an obvious curiosity. Unfortunately for me, although they provide the fodder, people as proper as Miss Austen and Mr. Wright don't seem to be the types to provide the resolution for such a base pondering. Luckily the film is so good that soon, I forgot the question myself and submerged joyfully in the romanticism of the story.

Notes:

Shot entirely in England.

Knightly is seen reading a book called "First Impressions," which is what Austen originally called the book.

Several real English dances of the period are done in the film.

Emma Thompson, who has starred in a Austen based film or two, did an uncredited, free rewrite of the script. She received a special thanks in the end credits.

Knightly was preparing for her role in "Domino" as filming ended and therefore had to wear a wig and clothing that hid her increasingly muscular frame.

At least the tenth version of this film. A Bollywood inspired version of the story, called "Bride and Prejudice," written and directed by Gurinder Chadha of "Bend It Like Beckham" fame appeared at theaters in February of this year.

Viewed in Austin in December of 2005.

Report Card

Script: A+

Acting: A+

Cinematography\Lighting: A+

Special Effects\Make Up: A+

Music: A+

Final Grade: A+