There is something so comforting to me about Pride & Prejudice. I have lost count the amount of times I have watched this over the years; there was a moment in time when this lived in my DVD player and was on a constant loop. I have loved Jane Austen and her books for a long time, but the reason why I was ever interested at all was because of this adaptation, this made me so interested in Austen’s works and her writing that I ended up reading everything of hers I could get my hands on.
 
Joe Wright seems fully comfortable and capable handling Austen’s world, and bringing such life to it and such warmth to it, and just this understanding that makes all of these wonderfully rich characters feel fully realized and exciting. Keira Knightley is perfectly cast as Elizabeth Bennet; she has this wonderful balance of strong-will and determination mixed with this naivety that just works with the character effortlessly. Matthew Macfadyen brings such a strong presence and defined personality to Mr. Darcy, and watching him lose his cool around Elizabeth is one of the best things about this film. The chemistry between Knightley and Macfadyen is so much fun to watch, and the progression of their character’s relationship with each other is such an exciting adventure on its own. I will always wear the stupidest of smiles watching them at the end of the film talking about what they will call each other.
 
The ensemble is absolutely wonderful, and it was packed with so many actresses that I would become obsessed with. Donald Sutherland and Brenda Blethyn are the wonderful parental units that bring such a great perspective on how each of these girls became who they are. Rosamund Pike, Jenna Malone, and Carey Mulligan play 3 of the sisters, and each one is so wonderfully cast, and they all work so well off of each other. And I will never complain of seeing Judi Dench pop up in a film to just be snarky.
 
It’s an immaculate looking film, and the level of professionalism that went into creating those sets, making the Bennett household feel as idyllic and welcoming as it needed to be, making Darcy’s family home feel just as big and grand as it needed to, the way that every ball and party feels like organized chaos, it is all so masterfully done. The costume design is beautifully constructed, and everyone has such a unique style to them. But what I think hammers down that “comforting” atmosphere I love so much is the score from Dario Marianelli, he creates this absolutely wonderful melody that paints the picture of Pride & Prejudice so well. Those opening and ending themes are just mesmerizing to listen to.
 
I know a lot of people love the miniseries with Colin Firth, I do too, but it’s this version that just means the absolute most to me. “Pride & Prejudice” is my favorite Austen novel, and I just love how well this version adapts the story and the world so well. This is hands down my favorite Austen adaptation, and I will probably never tire of it.