The film, as mentioned, stars Keira Knightley in the lead role of Elizabeth Bennett, with Matthew MacFayden (of BBC series Spooks) as Mr. Darcy. From the opening scenes it would seem that the director, Joe Wright, was intent on wiping out comparisons where possible by using a completely different style to the BBC version. The Bennett household is portrayed as chaotic and unkempt, and unquestionably rural. In case there were any question of this he even has shots of pigs wandering around the house (oddly mirrored in a recent viewing of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake!). Not to worry, though, the film doesn't get carried away to the extent of that rural backwoods drama! It is unquestionably more earthy and less glossy than the BBC version, which is possibly a more accurate portrait of the period than the BBC version.

From time to time, however, these efforts at realism overshadow the drama onscreen. For instance, the key scene of the first dance where Bingley and Darcy are introduced lacked punch. The first barbed exchanges between Mr.Darcy and Elizabeth are at times barely audible over the din of the party. This, for me was pretty detrimental. The spark between the two characters is crucial, and it is sorely missing from the beginning. Darcy's introduction as quite an unpleasant character is sadly overshadowed by the surrounding hub, and the setup for the continuing conflict between the two characters is virtually nonexistant.

The film is of course going to have edited much of the book out to be a feature length. In an ideal world it would be a mini-series, as the subplots in this book do lend much of the character and humour. Judi Dench is wasted as Lady Catherine DeBourgh, lending what she can in her two short scenes. The character of the toady cousin Mr. Collins, who sets his sites on Elizabeth, is also less effective here. The entire Wickham storyline is skimmed over, and so lacks the enlightening effect on Darcy's character which it had in the book and BBC version.

I would go so far as to say if watching this film with the volume turned down, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was a Bronte tale. When Darcy appears through the mists of the morning dawn, it is as if Heathcliff's ghost is stalking Elizabeth. Austen purists would argue this sort of moody, gothic atmosphere has no place in a Pride and Prejudice adaptation. I am undecided - I think this film is, if nothing else, proof of how difficult Austen can be to adapt successfully, and perhaps the director was trying to give it a bit of oomph lost in the editing of key plot strands. It is sumptuous and lovely to look at, but it could have been much more cohesive.

Their love -hate relationship is muted in comparison; he never seems to truly rankle her the way the character is meant to. The scenes between them where Elizabeth realises she has been hasty in her judgement of him do posess great awkwardness and charm. It is a shame there weren't more scenes between the two, for instance the scene where Darcy delivers a letter responding to her refusal of him is a complete hash. In the book they meet in the woods and have another memorably uncomfortable encounter. In this version he appears like a ghost in her bedroom at night, she sees his image behind her in the window and when she turns he is gone. Another missed opportunity to show the characters the audience wants most to see together - perhaps it was an effort to heighten the suspense, but for me, another misstep.

The cinematography is simply gorgeous, so much so it is hard to begrudge the fact that much of it seems out of keeping with the gentler, pastoral images more naturally associated with Austen. Rolling, green hills and manicured gardens are replaced with ominous landscapes and craggy clifftops. Darcy's hair is always a mess, as is Lizzy's. It's all a bit rough around the edges, which does lend it a modern sauciness. In the scene where Elizabeth first visits Darcy's mansion, she wanders around a room full of naked sculptures, clearly ogling them before settling on the bust of Darcy. In the book and other versions, the scene involves paintings, not sculptures. It is all much more touchable and earthy than we are used to seeing in Austen.

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