Pride and Prejudice 2005

Pride and Prejudice was on tv recently so of course I stopped to watch it. I've seen this movie many times and consider it on my list of favorite movies. Although it deviates very much from Austen's book, I still love it just for the movie itself without any preconceived notions. Joe Wright is the man that directed this 2005 film with Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen. I'm just going to jump right in.
First up are plot and characters. The intentions of the movie are different from the book. That is undeniable. But, for the way this movie went, Knightly and Macfadyen were perfectly cast as Elizabeth and Darcy respectfully. Their chemistry and sexual tension is tangible. Rosamund Pike as Jane was also well cast and acted. As for plot, the audience is taken on this rollercoaster of a ride with Elizabeth. It is told from her point of view and the audience discovers things as she does. It is a really beautiful story about, well, pride and prejudice. A girl that stands up for herself in a time when that usually didn't happen captures everybody's attention. The actors give subtle nuances to their characters that can go unlooked but really bring the piece together. I should mention that I am also in love with Macfadyen's Darcy. He's just dreamy. Anyway, moving on. My favorite thing about this movie happens to be more of the technical aspects.
Pride and Prejudice is just a beautiful movie. The cinematography is just amazing. There are beautiful landscapes and rich colors. There is a scene almost at the end of the film that has Elizabeth and Darcy meeting in a field and finally confessing their love among the sunrise. While this may be a bit cliche, it is done in such a beautiful way that it doesn't feel that way. Also in that part is a really good long shot of Darcy walking across the field to Elizabeth. It doesn't just cut to when he gets there. It actually makes you wait, like Elizabeth, for Darcy to reach her. There are several other good examples of the beautiful landscape. There's a scene in which Elizabeth travels with her Aunt and Uncle, I believe, across the countryside and it is just breathtaking. Wright also used clever techniques to show the passage of time. In one, Elizabeth is swinging and as she swings around the seasons change. There is a good use of a wall there to break that up. Another time is when she is standing in front of a window and the sun rises and falls as she is just standing there, staring off in to space. One of Wright's signatures is the use of close up shots of hands. It sounds hokey but it is actually very effective. One of my favorite parts of this movie is when Darcy helps Elizabeth into a carriage and there a close up of their hands and then Darcy walks away and there's a close up of his hand stretching. No words were spoken yet is says so much. Wright uses shots of hands in his other movies like Atonement. The music and lighting in this movie are also on pointe. He made candle light look very real and believable.The costumes are also amazing. I want every dress Elizabeth wears. My sister would know more about accuracy of the costumes in relation to the time period but I just really like them. There are too many things good with this film to mention everything but I've jumped around enough. It's just an all around beautiful film.
Let me know what you think. What do you like most about Mr. Darcy? Favorite part?