Review of Bride & Prejudice (2004) by Samantha V — 29 Aug 2008

I really enjoyed this film. Because it is set in India, I didn't know what was realistic and what wasn't, so that helped. I mean, I guess in real life India people in beautiful clothes don't suddenly all start singing and dancing at the drop of a hat (but wouldn't it be cool if they did??) But not knowing about the social mores of Indian families trying to set up their daughter's marriages helped me not get bogged down in incredible plots.

Because maybe it is credible, what do I know? I loved the fact that the western names were straight outta Jane Austen, and the reworking of Pride and Prejudice was also very clever, and because I only have a hazy idea of the plot of that book, the twists and turns were not completely predictable in this film.

I loved the way the American hero Darcy just stared in a smouldering and longing way at the heroine. That worked for me. The casting was excellent. I loved the gauche Kholi, boasting about his massive crib in "Amrika", and winning the heroine's little sister despite his inauspicious start.

I loved the way that the Indians gave short shrift to any ignorant and arrogant Westerners who wanted to put down their country. This lost a star because.... I don't know, I guess the hero didn't really do it for me.

A bit more fighting, more dances might have made this a five star effort. Ohh I'm a hard taskmaster.