Pride and Prejudice (1995)

⭐ 8.5/10

(Originally written by Tim)

Most of this review will probably be comparing it to the movie, a movie that I actually enjoyed but struggled to follow the plot a bit. Everyone is super rich so I don't have a lot of empathy, and when the Bennet's are described as poor while their servants lay down a beautiful ham on their table it makes me roll my eyes. As if the plot of a less rich family trying to marry of their daughters to become a rich family should matter at all.

But that's where Lizzie comes in! She is great in this iteration, strong woman who understands how goofy her sisters and mother are, and doesn't want to marry for political or financial reasons. I thought this actress was great, and the same goes for Mr. Darcy! Firth's steely demeanor is kind of hilarious at the beginning, but by the end I was swooning over the glimpses of emotion he shows.

I think the major downside compared to the movie is the filmmaking. This is a static TV show on probably a much smaller budget. Some funny looking editing, countrysides that look like Southern Ontario, its just not as flashy as the movie. The dance scenes have dramatic energy but the whirling camera of the movie makes this feel dull. The score of the movie is beautiful, here it is cookie-cutter filler music.

The major plus for the TV show is the extended run time! You need 6 hours to tell a story like this, since I can't get anyones name straight so I keep forgetting motivations. I never really understood the arc of the two hating each other to then being madly in love, but the slower pace of the show made it feel more realistic and had me invested in them. I now know all the names and have opinions on them all! Mr. Collins in this iteration is hilarious and stupid. I didn't even remember Wickham from the movie, and his plotline with Lydia is so scandalous! Lydia is insufferable, much like the mother in this one, who is actually insane and makes Jane and Liz feel composed and elegant by contrast. Mr. Bennet is a beautiful man, although I do remember that from the movies.

Anyways, I still don't care about the relationships of these rich Brits, but for 6 hours I kind of did. Both iterations I have seen have their merit, but I think I prefer the depth of the show over the beauty of the movie.