| Film and DVD Reviews FILM REVIEW
Pride and Prejudice
By Patrick Ryan
Every generation gets their own Pride and Prejudice. There’s no getting
away from it, this is to girls what James Bond is to boys.
If Jane Austen had still been around she would be extremely happy with
this adaptation.
It’s funny, well-acted, intelligent and has some truly striking imagery.
Keira Knightley, who seems incapable of making a bad career move — Julia
Ormond she ain’t — plays Elizabeth Bennet, the heroine of the piece.
The all-important role of Darcy is played by former Spooks star Matthew
McFadyen and together they enjoy a smouldering chemistry.
There’s a lot of criticism about period pieces, that they are stuffy
and pompous affairs that leave the viewer on the outside looking in.
That couldn’t be further from the case here.
First-time director Joe Wright deserves immense praise for creating such
a vibrant film that is full of on-the-money performances and cleverly-crafted
scenes.
The real star of the show is the English countryside.
It looks utterly amazing and Wright deserves kudos for bringing a previously
untapped epic take on this tale.
It probably won’t play well to The Fast And The Furious brigade but fans
of intelligent, well-made cinema should lap it up.
Starring Keira Knightley, Matthew McFadyen, Brenda Blethyn, Jena Malone
and Donald Sutherland.
Directed by Joe Wright.
Out nationwide now.
The Jacket
DVD REVIEW
By Patrick Ryan
The Jacket is one of those films that you will know even less about after
watching it.
Adrien Brody plays a military veteran who suffers from amnesia; he is
admitted to an asylum where he is administered drugs.
These drugs make him see into the future where he sees his own death
but not who did it or how.
At least that’s what I think happens.
Director, Maybury goes out of his way to make things as convoluted as
possible.
It’s always refreshing to see a film that isn’t afraid to aim high and
keep you thinking.
But that shouldn’t be at the expense of an engrossing and coherent movie.
The performances aren’t all that bad.
Brody seems determined to play as many weirdos as possible ever since
he won an Oscar, and while undoubtedly talented he is in danger of becoming
a one-trick pony.
Hopefully, King Kong will change all that later in the year.
The Jacket plays like a poor man’s Twelve Monkeys, right down to the
section in the asylum.
Maybury is no Terry Gilliam unfortunately and The Jacket will leave you
scratching your head.
A film shouldn’t be such hard work.
Starring Adrien Brody, Keira Knightley, Kris Kristofferson and Jennifer
Jason Leigh.
Directed by John Maybury.
On sale now.
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