A twist, or three, on Pride and Prejudice
*****
Maybe you loved all five and a half hours of the BBC classic Pride and Prejudice; maybe the more recent, and much shorter, Hollywood version was still too long for you. However you feel, there’s probably an adaptation or spin-off of this classic story that will catch your fancy. Here are a few that caught editor Jon Dykstra’s.
Click on the titles for longer reviews.
Pride and Prejudice
Romance / Comedy
2003 / 104 min.
Rating: 8/10
What do you get when a group of Mormon filmmakers decide to adapt and update a Regency-era romance? A good, clean, funny, goofy movie with plenty of romance for the girls and, why not?, a car chase (not in the original book) for the guys.
Unleashing Mr. Darcy
Drama / Romance
2016 / 84 minutes
Rating: 7/10
Pride and Prejudice… with dogs! If you’re a fan of the original book/movie(s), you’ll enjoy how cleverly this version translates the gist of the story into a modern tale that happens to be set on the New England dog show circuit. Somewhat random? Maybe, but dogs are always a fun addition. So, a clean and family-friendly choice with a decent script, average acting, and, of course, some cute spaniels.
An American in Austen
Drama / Romance
2024 / 84 minutes
Rating: 7/10
What might happen if a modern-day American gal found herself transported into the pages of Pride and Prejudice? Well, she might catch Mr. Darcy’s eye, mess things up for the poor Bennet sisters, and learn a thing or two about love. A cute and creative, if not particularly memorable, Hallmark spin-off.
