Dreadful

gkgkoenig

Ridiculous casting and story lines. Actress Ms. Martin looks sour, perpetually preoccupied, too old (remember, Lizzy was perhaps 21 when she married Darcy and therefore no more than mid- twenties in this new chapter) and she displays absolutely no playful energy or wit in the daily events. Rhys as Darcy is jarring and I'm on my guard lest he leap from my TV to challenge me to a fight. Whatever softening and life-enjoying qualities Lizzy was to have brought into Darcy's life is gone. He's back to angry, barking, arrogance. I actually like Wickham's actor (Goode) so nothing to challenge, there. Fitzwilliam's character has become oddly mysterious and mercenary; he acts like a pirate rather than an honorable officer in the King's army. No charm, even if he was a bit "empty" in the original. It's all just weird! Ms. James has not done well with these additions. I agree with other reviewers that the characters and dialog are way off-base with the Austen sensibilities so clearly and consistently written in her books.

Great idea, dreadful execution from Ms. James to these productions.

score 2/10

gkgkoenig 29 October 2014

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3113955/