(rated PG) This movie has everything working against it. It’s a chick flick, frilly sets, period piece, and yet another (do we need this?) adaptation of the famous Jane Austen novel (since the BBC did what one would assume is the better version starring Colin Firth). Yet it could surprisingly be one of the year’s top picks. Keira Knightley stars as Elizabeth Bennett, the most head-strong of six sisters that her parents (Brenda Blethyn and Donald Sutherland) are anxious to marry off. And just what does she bring to the non-stop bustier popping, giggling, English countryside parties we’ve seen one too many times before? Everything. She shines as this generation’s Audrey Hepburn, no doubt landing her a first Oscar nomination. The chemistry between Knightley and the equally stubborn Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen) caught in a complicated, almost incestuous web of events/family/friends, can only be matched by the chemistry she shares with older sister, shy, timid, angelic Jane (Rosamund Pike) the love interest to Mr. Bingley (Simon Woods). Bingley’s chipper character by the way, is reminiscent of American Idol runner up, Clay Aiken. Never the less, the two starring sisters never overpower each other on screen (great casting) as we easily fall into a well-defined understanding of which sister should be with which suitor. Enter a fun mix of other entertaining characters that include Judi Dench as snooty Lady Catherine, mother to a girl that is supposed to marry Darcy. Then there’s a short-man-syndrome Mr. Collins (hilariously portrayed by Tom Hollander) wishing to marry Knightley. Smart, witty, and vibrant, this version gives a facelift of class to the classic. Four Tiaras.
