| Overall Grade: |
A- |
|
| Story: |
N/A |
|
|
| Acting: |
N/A |
|
|
| Direction: |
N/A |
|
|
| Visuals: |
N/A |
|
|
Faithful Adaptation
by norqs (movies profile)
Apr 28, 2005
1
of
1 people found this review helpful
This film is an elegant, faithful adaptation of the Jane Austen novel of the same title. A somewhat plain young woman is the lone sensible voice in an otherwise spoiled upper-class family on the brink of financial hardship. As a girl, she was persuaded by a trusted friend to reject the love of her life for practical considerations. Conversely, her lover could not persuade her to change her mind. Now bordering on "old maid" status, she lives with regret and a deep sense of loss over her decision; at the same time, she recognizes her past weakness and refuses to blame those responsible for influencing her poor decision. Suddenly and by chance, her former lover re-enters her life. But after years of pain and a strong effort by both to put the past behind them, it is unclear whether a reconciliation is possible.
The story's driving force is the range of conflicting emotions inhabiting the two main characters--rekindling love that opens old wounds, regret and hope, elation and pain. The film successfully recreates this sense of introspection and newfound hope using long stretches of little-to-no dialogue, a peaceful, flowing soundtrack, and visually simple but elegant cinematography. The audience learns more about the characters through their movements and facial experssions than words, and the actors do a fine job of conveying difficult emotions without looking like they're trying too hard. It is a small, quiet film in the best sense. |
My Public Profile 
