Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Kaitlyn Graf
Modern Culture and the Arts
Professor Bomboy
1 May 2016
Film Critique
As
the sun slowly rises in the opening scene and the beginning of composer Dario
Marianelli’s beautiful music plays, director Joe Wright pulls us into the world
of Pride and Prejudice and allows us
to take a step back into early-19th century England. The film is an
adaptation of the novel written by Jane Austen. While this is not the first time
that the novel has been adapted for the screen, the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice brings a new look at
the love story of Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. Although Mrs. Bennett
remarks on Lizzie’s looks throughout the story, Keira Knightley, who plays
Elizabeth Bennett, cannot be thought of as “plain”. Matthew Macfadyen’s
portrayal of Mr. Darcy comes off as proud and reserved, which makes it seem
highly unlikely in the beginning of the film that the two would ever fall in
love. With such a strong cast that included Donald Sutherland and Brenda
Blethyn, director Joe Wright was already set to create an incredible movie.
While it would be just as enjoyable to examine the beautiful cinematography of
the film, I would like to take the time to discuss the soundtrack that
accompanied this film from composer Dario Marianelli. Even with most of the music
being played on the piano, it truly helps to shape the world that Jane Austin
created in Pride and Prejudice.
The
film Pride and Prejudice follows the
lives of the Bennett family, which consists of five daughters: Jane, Elizabeth,
Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. As with most mothers during this time, Mrs. Bennett’s
main concern in life is to have all of her daughters married. Because of the
family’s lack in fortune, it is imperative that the daughters marry well. While
most of the daughters are willing to be married off to the best suitor,
Elizabeth refuses to fall in line with what is expected of her, which
infuriates her mother to no end. When Mr. Bennett one day passes away, the
property cannot pass along to the girls. Because Mr. Bennett has no sons, it
would have to be given to the next closest male relative, who in this case is a
cousin, Mr. Collins. Eventually the story leads the Bennett family to interact
with Mr. Bingley, his sister, and Mr. Darcy. What follows after that is
Elizabeth’s determined attempt to not fall in love. The director Joe Wright has
made a film that can easily entertain an audience of any age. Whether we wish
to believe in it or not, love has a way of affecting all of us no matter how
old or young we are. I believe that the film is meant to entertain us with a
beautiful love story and give us hope that true love can prevail even in the
presence of doubt and fear. We do not always get a choice in who we fall in
love with, and Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy show us just that.
Pride and Prejudice shows the great
divide between social classes during this time and what it means to associate
with those who are “beneath” you. The music in this film does an excellent job
in giving a sense of that divide to the viewer. As the scenes in the film shift
from daily life to the different balls and formal gatherings, the music helps
to reflect the mood, setting, and the characters. When the scene changes to the
first Mertyon ball in the film, we see a room filled with people dancing. The
music fills the room and makes you feel as though you are standing right in the
middle of it all. As the lively music plays from the musicians, the attention
shifts to the three figures, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and Mrs. Bingley, facing
the room. Their presence causes the music to abruptly stop. The music helps to
show the emotion that is felt during this scene because it goes from excitement
and joy to this awkward air as these members of higher society enter the room.
All eyes shift and softer whispers can be heard throughout the room. Dario
Marianelli created a score that was influenced by Beethoven and the music that
Jane Austen would have been listening to when she wrote Pride and Prejudice. The style of the music is classical; the only
instruments being used are a piano, strings, and a few orchestral instruments.
Each song that was
composed is specific to the scene it is playing in and gives you the same
feeling when listening to the soundtrack again after watching the film. As I
listen to “Liz On Top of the World,” I can picture the beautiful sprawling
landscape that Elizabeth saw when standing on the edge of the high cliff,
looking out towards the far-reaching fields. “Your Hands Are Cold” slowly
changes from this slow “awakening”-type feeling to this bright hopeful sound. I
can feel the sense of wonder and understanding that Elizabeth felt as she
walked across the field towards Mr. Darcy in the early morning light, finally
knowing that she was really in love. As “The Militia Marches In” plays, I can
picture the excited young girls watching from the sides of the street as the handsome
men of the militia march through town. I think a successful soundtrack is one
that really encompasses the feeling and storyline of the movie in each song. It
is not a separate entity, but an accompaniment to the film. Dario Marianelli
was able to take on the challenge of creating music that felt as though it was
from the early 19th century. Although the film was made with modern
actors in modern times, the music and film altogether do not disappoint
die-hard Jane Austin fans.
Pride and Prejudice is a classical story
by Jane Austin that has been adapted into a movie many times. With the latest
addition, a television mini-series, coming out in the 1990’s from the BBC
featuring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, it seemed surprising that the story could
be given justice in a two-hour film. But Joe Wright was able to take on the task
and give audiences a fresh, new take on the love story of Elizabeth Bennett and
Mr. Darcy. With stunning music from composer Dario Marianelli to match the
breathtaking scenery in each scene, I think the director made a film that can
be enjoyed by many people, no matter what age. As one of my personal favorite
films, I never tire of immersing myself in a classic love story. Call me a
hopeless romantic, but I am partial to the idea of a love that will not let go,
especially when it is unexpected. Love is meant to surprise us when we least
expect it, and I will continue to watch Pride
and Prejudice so that I can experience that love story over and over again.
Works Cited
Clemmensen, Christian. "Filmtracks: Pride &
Prejudice (Dario Marianelli)." Filmtracks.
12 Nov. 2005. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.
Pride and Prejudice (2005) Movie Poster.
Digital image. MoviePosterShop. Web.
28 Apr. 2016.
Pride and Prejudice. Dir.
Joe Wright. Perf. Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. Focus Features, 2005.
DVD.
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