Pride and Prejudice (DVD, 2006, Full Screen)

This version of Jane Austen's fiercely beloved novel has the daunting task of living up not only to the classic book but also to the excellent 1995 miniseries of the same name. Yet 2005's PRIDE & PREJUDICE is up to the task thanks to lively pacing a witty script an excellent cast and clever direction from British newcomer Joe Wright. The surprisingly still-relevant story follows the five Bennet sisters as they deal with suitors and love as their mother desperately schemes to marry them off advantageously. Sweet-tempered beauty Jane (Rosamund Pike) develops feelings for the equally amiable and extremely wealthy Mr. Bingley (Simon Woods) but forces conspire to keep them apart--while Lizzie (Keira Knightley) finds herself first appalled by but gradually drawn to Bingley's aloof intelligent and socially awkward friend Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFayden). The movie at just over two hours is forced to cut and condense a number of the book's subplots and at times it tries to heighten the drama of certain scenes. But for the most part it's as faithful to the spirit of the original as time and cinematic convention allow.The tremendous supporting cast includes Brenda Blethyn as Mrs. Bennet and Donald Sutherland as her wry withdrawn husband; Jena Malone as teenage twit Lydia; Judi Dench effortlessly haughty and imperious as Lady Catherine de Bourg; and Tom Hollander who steals every scene he's in as the ludicrously pompous and awkward Mr. Collins. The movie's script adapted by Deborah Moggach manages to be proto-feminist without becoming anachronistic--and like the novel it is incisive about the class politics and gender inequalities of the day.