Dorathen Better Late Then Never

Neive Bellamy Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Married Baby Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

Cheryl A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

JLRVancouver Lengthy (5½ hours) but outstanding adaptation of Jane Austen's classic 1813 novel about romance in Regency England. Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle are outstanding as Mr. F. Darcy and Miss E. Bennet respectively, the central 'pair', as are the actresses playing the other four Bennet sisters and the actors playing Mr. Bennet and Darcy's compatriots Messrs. Bingle and Wickham. The other principal character, Elizabeth's mother Mrs. Bennet (Alison Steadman) was (IMO) a bit shrill and hyper-reactive, providing much of the straight-out comic relief but unfavourably contrasting with more 'dignified', measured delivery of the of the other adult characters. The film differs considerably from the 1940 Laurence Olivier/Greer Garson version: the entire story is told, the costumes are true to the period, the clergyman 'Mr. Collins' is much more obsequious and foolish (mocking religion was frowned on by the American Hays Code) and, most noticeably, the final confrontation between the viciously class-conscious Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Elizabeth Bennet is truer to the book. Presumably 'Hollywood' wanted to wrap up the story with every one smiling, as the 1940 version has a domineering but understanding Lady Catherine ultimately approving of Elizabeth's decision, rather a haughty, condescending women insulting Elizabeth and her family, and leaving the scene in indignant fury. All in all, the miniseries is an excellent rendition of one of the world's most popular novels and a production that set the bar for subsequent costume dramas.

mayoman Never having read Austen before, I completely fell in love with this A&E mini series and, although I am a senior citizen, with Colin Firth who is wonderful as the Prideful Mr. Darcy. Jennifer Ehle is equally good as the charming but prejudiced Lizzy. I also enjoyed Benjamin Whitrow as the father of "the five silliest girls in England" and Alison Steadman's hilarious rendition of Mrs. Bennett. I immediately bought the tapes and have watched them over and over.I recommend this mini series to everyone. It far exceeds the films made of Austen's works. Emma (and Gywnneth Paltrow) pales in comparison with this A&E mini series.I, too, enjoyed Bridget Jones Diary all the more because of Colin Firth's Mark DARCY.

ber-03262 I LOVE this interpretation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. At first I didn't really like the actors but after a few minutes I fell in love with them, especially Mr. Darcy. I think Collin Firth did an amazing job of playing a proud and conflicted Mr. Darcy and made me feel all the emotions that Elizabeth did. I hated him even though he was good looking and rich but then I grew to love him; just wish they would have expanded the ending to more than a tiny first kiss. Jennifer Ehle did a great job of playing a beautiful but not "extraordinary" beauty although sadly I think she was way prettier than the actress that played Jane Bennet. Hated the mother and Lydia but I guess that was the point right? Overall I loved the film and would watch over and over again.

Ben Davis *Note: I have not read the book* This adaptation quite surprised me. I have come to expect very little from TV movies, so just about everything about this one was surprising. The acting was quite impressive. Everyone gave very convincing and entertaining performances. The production and costumes were of very, very nice quality, especially for a TV movie, and it pleased me to see that A&E put a lot of effort into it. Elizabeth Bennet is the highlight of this film. Her character was strong, intelligent, interesting, and was what kept me watching throughout all 5 hours. I didn't have any problems with this film, except one. That being the length. It is simply too long. Jane Austen diehards might disagree with me, but I believe it was too long. Other than that fantastic film. It's just as good as Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility.