In my head, February is a month uniquely associated with love. Maybe it’s because Valentine’s Day finds itself smack dab in the middle of the month, or because the snow finally starts to melt ever so slightly, or even because it marks the beginning of a new semester. Regardless, February has always been a month of replenishment, knowledge, and, above all else, romance. So, for this month’s issue, it seems only fitting to go on a blast to the past and review what is arguably my favourite movie (and book adaptation) of all time: the 2005 hit romance film Pride & Prejudice.

Since this film is an adaptation of the famous Jane Austen novel, I feel I should preface this by saying that I am a firm believer in the “all books are better than their movie/TV show adaptations” philosophy. That being said, Pride & Prejudice is the instance where my enjoyment of the film has been the closest it has ever been to matching my enjoyment of the book. That itself is even more impressive when you consider that Pride & Prejudice is a novel that has had about a dozen film adaptations made of it over the years and yet this one, directed by Joe Wright and earning four Oscar nominations, is still my favourite. So let’s talk about why that is.

Pride & Prejudice is set in the late 1700s and centers around a young woman named Elizabeth Bennett (Kiera Knightley). Born the second eldest of five sisters, the novel begins with the Bennett family learning of the arrival of prominent and wealthy suitor Charles Bingley into their hometown, Longbourn, England. Though Lizzie’s older sister Jane (Rosamund Pike) soon forms a connection with Bingley, his friend comes along with him and sparks the attention of our female lead. Proud and taciturn, Mr. Darcy (Matthew McFayden) insults Elizabeth upon their first meeting at the Netherfield ball and, unknowingly, begins a longstanding rivalry with her-- one that is threaded with romantic subtext and tension. The viewers see Lizzie, along with the rest of her sisters and their frivolous mother, deal with the trials and tribulations of living in a society where marriage is imposed upon women at such a young age, and the troubles of distinguishing true love from an economic proposition. It is through this message that Jane Austen demonstrates how ahead of her time her writing was, and gives us her critiques on the society in which she lived. Love, in this film, is not seen as a trophy to be won. We see characters like Charlotte Lucas marry for their survival and economic prosperity, but both Jane Austen and Joe Wright clearly comprehend and clearly state the message that true love is respect, it is admiration, devotion, and that it even goes back to Platonic ideals of love: to let your lover change you, and everything you thought you knew.

It also helps that Mr. Darcy exemplifies that perfectly and pretty much becomes the golden standard for men and for love.

In addition, Joe Wright exemplifies the early Regency era perfectly and, even though the dialogue was dumbed down a little, the choices in cinematography add even more to Jane Austen’s main ideas about love and marriage. Depicting setting in a period piece can be a tricky thing, especially when considering when exactly certain buildings were built and the less vibrant colour palette of the era, but Joe Wright does a marvelous job of using the subtle notes of colour he can use to his advantage. Through the outfits of the various female characters in the film, along with the difference in colourful settings (i.e. the drab, brown tones of the Meryton ball compared to the vibrant yellows and red officers suits in the Pemberley ball), Wright is able to masterfully portray the differences in class that Austen focused on in her novels. Through beautiful scenery, he makes the idea of living in the countryside desirable and gorgeous. His use of light is also notable, with sunlight splashing across Elizabeth Bennett’s face at various turning points or peaks in the film.

On top of Wright’s directing, the acting in this film sticks out tremendously. Kiera Knightley shines as a strong female protagonist and her male co-star, Matthew McFayden, gives an equally subtle yet tender performance. Along with other prominent stars making an appearance, such as Donald Sutherland, Carey Mulligan, Jena Malone, and Judi Dench, it is undeniable that the stacked cast is what makes this movie what it is. To me, with the exception of Colin Firth’s Darcy in the 1995 adaptation, no other actors could play the characters they portray in the film. There is insanely natural and almost palpable chemistry on screen between all characters, mainly between Darcy and Elizabeth, and it will leave you in awe.

The final thing to touch on, something I always adore dissecting when it comes to film, is the music. Believe me when I say I have done thorough research and in-depth assignments on the compositions for this film. One of Joe Wright’s incredibly smart moves throughout his career in directing, a move many directors opt for, was to work closely with one specific composer for several of his films over the course of ten years. This composer is Dario Marianelli. With songs like “Liz on Top of the World” and “The Living Sculptures of Pemberley”, Marianelli manages to capture perfectly the essence of Pride & Prejudice. From softer piano lines to grotesque orchestral swells, the music never fails to encompass the roots of classical music and is inspired largely by Beethoven, who would have been the prominent musician at the time the novel was written. This may seem only logical-- after all, it should be natural that period pieces be backed with music fitting to the century-- we see the rise of media like Bridgerton come into play, offering the complete opposite and instead adding string quartet renditions of modern pop songs as background music. As a music nerd and a film enthusiast, that trend feels like nails on a chalkboard. That is partially why Marianelli’s compositions offer such a comfort, because each song has character and keeps the romantic feel of the movie intertwined in every song. It is without question that the movie would not be half as good as it is without the masterfully crafted soundtrack.

In conclusion, if you are considering watching a movie with your partner, or if you want to learn to appreciate the beautiful subtlety of love, then Pride & Prejudice is the answer to all your problems.