Pride & Prejudice (U) (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Pride & Prejudice (U)

If you still swoon at the thought of Colin Firth in the BBC's acclaimed 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen, then Joe Wright's handsome reworking of Pride & Prejudice might come as a disappointment.

Mr Darcy and his britches remain bone dry for the entire two hours and a number of subplots are pruned for the sake of expediency: George Wickham is no longer a rival for Elizabeth's affections.

However, many of these revisions from screenwriter Deborah Moggach work beautifully.

The three-act structure of Austen's novel remains intact but now the story focuses much more intensely on Lizzy as she suffers in silence, accepting the burden of responsibility to soothe her family's woes, at the expense of her own happiness.

Social climber Mrs Bennet (Blethyn) is delighted when dashing bachelor Charles Bingley moves into the neighbouring Netherfield Park estate.

Bingley is extremely eligible and would be a perfect match for one of Mrs Bennet's five daughters: Jane (Rosamund Pike), Elizabeth (Knightley), Mary (Talulah Riley), Kitty (Carey Mulligan) or Lydia (Jena Malone).

From the very first encounter with Bingley, it is evident to everyone that the newcomer is rather taken with Jane, and the two grow close.

Alas, the burgeoning romance is steadfastly opposed by Charles's spiteful and haughty sister Caroline and his snobbish aristocrat pal Fitzwilliam Darcy (Macfadyen).

Despite vociferous protestations about the Bennet family and their lowly social standing, Darcy finds himself attracted to Lizzy's lively wit and spirit.

She in turn takes great delight in rudely rebuffing his advances. Instead, she must suffer the constant overtures from the pompous Mr Collins (Tom Hollander).

However, as the Bennet family's tangled love affairs unravel, it becomes clear that Lizzy and Darcy have been blinded to their true feelings by pride and prejudice.

This is a lustrous new version of Austen's classic tale of romance and rivalry across the social divide.

There's a sheen of realism to many of the chocolate box locations and some wonderful camerawork, including the opening tracking shot which glides through the Bennet household as the family goes about its daily business.

Knightley is blossoming into a fine young actress, conveying the internal struggle of her young heroine.

Macfadyen makes us fall in love with Darcy at the same time as Lizzy, revealing the character's unerring sense of honour and vulnerability behind the brusque, seemingly cold fagade.

Screen chemistry between the pair is palpable.

Blethyn and Hollander are delightful comic relief, and there are strong supporting turns from Pike and Donald Sutherland.

Truly, this Pride & Prejudice is a delight.

8/10