After our film library experience at the end of the first term, the students have now learnt how to write a film review. It's part of our Book club development and contribution to the library project. Here's a sample by our student, Paula Bote Andrada
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE FILM REVIEW
Have you ever wondered what a love story would look like 200 years ago? Then, “Pride and Prejudice" is the precise film for you. “Pride and Prejudice” is a 2005 adaptation of the famous Jane Austen’s book of the same name. The plot follows the second of five daughters, Elizabeth Bennet, in her journey to find love in Georgian England, where she ultimately marries Fitzwilliam Darcy after having overcome her own prejudice and him having overcome his pride. This fascinating film is starred by names such as Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen and under the great direction of Joe Wright.
Before watching the film, I was skeptical about liking it, considering my little knowledge about the story and, ironically, my own prejudice towards it. Little did I know how wrong I would be, as if there is one word that certainly describes this wonderful film is “captivating”. From the first minute, the magnificent performance from the cast members allows the viewer to become invested in the characters, all their actions and thoughts as they perceive them from their seats, often forgetting that the story they are viewing was originally written more than 2 centuries ago.
Besides that, each and all of the individual elements that form its cinematography are outstanding on their own, making an exquisite final product when they are combined together. Everything, from the eye-catching colour palette and and the mesmerising costume design that transports the viewer through time and space to its melodic and thematically accurate soundtrack carefully crafted using few instruments to represent each one of the protagonist families, makes “Pride and Prejudice” not only a movie, but also a work of art in its purest form. What is more, this cinematographically wonderful film is also a remarkable and accurate book adaptation that, despite changing a few details, does not fail to capture the essence of the original story.
Along with its technical achievements comes the great work “Pride and Prejudice” does to showcase the way of living of people in Georgian Era society, while serving as a critique of it at the same time. Therefore, watching it provides the viewer with historical knowledge that otherwise would be much less accessible for the general public. To start with, it can be appreciated just by having a basic understanding of the synopsis that at that period of time marriage was a key event for women (arguably the most important in their lives), as their main role during that period was having children and taking care of their family. The allusions made to salaries and income all through it can also hint about a sad truth of marriage; money was the main factor used to select a husband during those times, since women were forced to marry to have financial stability. Additionally, the relevance one’s family has on their reputation and the importance of appearances at the time are present in the portrayal of society the film executes by means of cheeky and smart jokes that will manage to make even the dullest of viewers chuckle.
Overall, watching “Pride and Prejudice” is an incredible both visually and sonically pleasing experience with which the viewer can learn about the way upper class societies worked like in 19th century England. Were I to recommend this film to anyone I would definitely do so to any person that feels a particular interest for history or any individual whose heart holds a soft spot for romantic media.
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