However, it is hugely noticeable that the presentation of Mr. Bingley is portrayed purposely different from the novel, his character coming across as simple-minded and silly. Whilst watching the production, viewers cannot help but to question the relevance of this, in that Mr. Bingley is a widely loved character in the novel. Another questionable portrayal of character is that of Mr. Collins, who, unlike that of the 1995 TV series, does not come across as ludicrously pompous and awkward as his character should be. Another noticeable fault of the film is the marginalisation of Mr. Wickham. The storyline involving Mr. Wickham is very important to ‘Pride and Prejudice’. He is displayed as firstly a loveable character and then his true colours are revealed as wicked and villainous but there is no emphasis or concentration on his character and the storyline. In fact, his character is barely in the film at all, which is very disappointing for ‘Pride and Prejudice’ fans.
Wright approaches many scenes, creating atmospheric relevance, with the use of cameras, lighting, sound and an occasional Mise-en-Scène. The opening scene sets the mood for the rest of the film, through the use of lighting. A warm yellow light illuminates the opening shot, helping to contribute to the warm mood of the film. The camera uses a sweeping effect, following the landscape and then Elizabeth Bennet’s character. The music in the background is nondiegetic as the camera zooms in through a crack in the wall (creating atmosphere) and into the Bennet’s house, where Mary Bennet is playing the piano. This music originally appears to be diegetic until Mary is revealed; this creates a clever effect of illusion to the viewer and the piano music, which is widely used throughout the film and signifies the importance of a woman being accomplished in the 19th century. This music is light and happy, allowing the viewer to interpret the genre without knowing the storyline. Other effects Wright integrates into the film are that he often shoots scenes through windows and doors. This was sometimes effective, especially when used to emphasise the size of an upper-classed house, such as Pemberley, giving the viewer the illusion and helping them to differentiate between classes. However, this method is used throughout the film a lot of the time, causing the viewer to often wonder about the purpose of it and its relevance to many of the scenes.
The diegetic sound used is often very relevant and cleverly used, creating the required atmosphere perfectly. An example of this is the music used in the scene at the end of the film where Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth share a long-awaited moment. The lighting used in this scene also adds effect, in the form of the sun rising behind the two lovers, casting out light, as if it is signifying the light and love of their relationship. It is also a very prominent yellow, once again displaying the warmth of their relationship. A misé-en-scene is used when the characters are at Rosings. This again displays the wealth of Lady Catherine de Bourgh in willing the viewer to notice what is in the house, the house itself and the intricate costumes and well-kept people within the camera shot.
The setting of the film also demonstrates a great importance to many of the scenes. There are many scenes where a panning shot is used over acres of beautiful, breath-taking landscape. The National Trust’s in Berkshire is the setting for Darcy and Elizabeth’s first meeting at Netherfield. The house is also the setting for the film’s extravagant ballroom scenes. It is a large 18th century country house. It is a perfect setting for the ballroom scenes, stressing the upper class status of the house.
◄ Balisdon Park
However, the setting of Longbourn (the Bennet’s house) is another questionable concept of the film. In the novel the Bennets are displayed as a middle class family. Therefore, their house was of a respectable size and state. Yet in the film their house is portrayed as a farm house: small, cramped and bizarrely filled with animals. The inside of the house is also chaotic, squalid and what one could define as a pauper’s house. This presentation is clearly not the one intended by Jane Austen. Nevertheless, it could be accepted as Wright may have wanted to make the social class status more contrasted to the audience to add drama and effect.
Many things in the film are given added drama. For example the scene of Mr. Darcy’s first, rejected proposal. A downpour of rain falls on the Temple of Apollo at where the two characters reveal their true feelings. Stourhead is again another excellent choice of location for the scene. The rain signifies the drama of the scene as well as the over-acted argument that is expressed in an extremely melodramatic way in comparison to the novel’s portrayal. However this change could be accepted as the added drama makes the film more entertaining to the viewer. Another noticeably dramatised scene is at a ball when Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy dance together. There is a stage where everybody else in the room disappears, leaving only Darcy and Elizabeth. This emphasises the atmosphere between them and wills the viewer to want a relationship to form between them. This also shows how Elizabeth’s hate for Darcy is faltering. While Elizabeth’s change of emotion is clearly presented, that of Mr. Darcy is not. His attraction to Elizabeth is rushed and it isn’t clear when and how his feelings change, they are just suddenly altered.
The costume was one of the qualities of the film. It was used to utmost precision. The upper class characters were dressed extravagantly and beautifully, as they would be in Jane Austen’s time and when the book was set. The Bennet’s were dressed in less elegant clothing which again distinguished the social status of the characters. When justifying faults to the difficulty of fitting relevant scenes into a two hour time limit, one must wonder at the scene at Pemberly in a large room filled with statues. The scene is long and simply irrelevant to the film. Wright could have used the time he spent on this scene on something more important and therefore his outcome cannot be praised completely. When watching a film, a good ending is required for it to be a good film. ‘Pride and Prejudice’ did not posses this. The ending was noticeably weak and disappointing, not at all the grand finale one would expect.
However, if the film did not come from a novel but was originally written for the big screen, would there be so much criticism? Basing it upon this concept, the film is very effective and enjoyable to watch. However, due to the popularity of ‘Pride and Prejudice’, most of the viewers will be aware of the storyline and therefore comparisons cannot be avoided.
Overall, as a film it is adequate, containing enjoyable moments in a light and interesting storyline but as an adaptation of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ it is principally disappointing.
