Pride & Prejudice (2005)

The story of love and misunderstanding in a very class conscious late 18th century England centres on the Bennet family, comprising five daughters whose mother (Brenda Blethyn) is determined to have them happily married off and their futures secured. Mostly, it is the story of the strong-willed Lizzie Bennet (Keira Knightley) whose independent spirit is encouraged by the girls’ father (Donald Sutherland).

When a wealthy bachelor, Mr Bingley (Simon Woods) and his sophisticated circle of friends take up residence at a nearby mansion, the Bennet household (or most of it) is abuzz with excitement and anticipation. Mrs Bennet sees their arrival as a golden opportunity for her daughters’ marriage hopes and, as it happens, the beautiful and serene Jane Bennet (Rosamund Pike) appears to capture Bingley’s heart almost immediately.

Bingley’s best friend is Mr Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen) who, in Lizzie’s eyes is a pompous and prejudiced individual and, with each encounter between them, a classic battle of the sexes ensues. But Darcy becomes increasingly attracted to the forthright Lizzie whose pride prevents her from seeing his true nature, which she will not become aware of until the Bennet family is thrown into a spin by a domestic crisis involving the impetuous Lydia Bennet (Jena Malone).

Lizzie must also contend with the fawning attentions of a distant cousin, Mr Collins (Tom Hollander) and the displeasure of the formidable Lady Catherine De Bourgh (Judi Dench), two of the other memorable characters who inhabit Jane Austen’s timeless story, presented here in a sumptuous new production.