Certain, 2005’s Pleasure & Prejudice has been sitting proper there at dwelling to look at with my Netflix subscription (till it leaves on the finish of the month anyway), however I had a sense going out of my method to see the film’s twentieth anniversary re-release in theaters can be a singular expertise I wouldn’t neglect, and I used to be completely proper. However, I wasn’t anticipating Donald Sutherland’s efficiency as Mr. Bennet to be the factor about it that I walked away wanting to speak about essentially the most.
I can’t imagine Joe Wright’s Pleasure and Prejudice is twenty years previous as a result of the film doesn’t really feel prefer it has aged a day, apart from seeing its unimaginable solid of their youthful years, in fact. My latest in-theater viewing expertise cemented for me how timeless and beautiful it’s, making it completely one of many nice motion pictures based mostly on basic literature in my e book. Whereas I went into it able to be dazzled by Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s romance (together with that iconic hand flex), the best way the filmmakers supposed, as an alternative, I wish to take a while to understand the late Donald Sutherland’s half within the film.
Donald Sutherland’s Efficiency As Mr. Bennet Actually Flooring Me
Whereas I remembered Donald Sutherland being within the film, this was the primary time I had seen the film since the actor’s passing in the summertime of 2024 on the age of 88, so possibly my consideration was extra keenly targeted on Mr. Bennet, however actually I don’t suppose that might have made a distinction, as a result of wow, is he the underrated spotlight of this film.
Mr. Bennet is Elizabeth’s father, and Sutherland takes a supporting position in a lot of the story, as a lot of the focus goes to Knightley’s efficiency because the younger, headstrong girl navigating being courted by quite a few males alongside her 4 sisters whereas dwelling in 18th-century England. Whereas his position is small, Sutherland makes an enormous impression as a result of he’s the character who ended up getting me to tear up by the film’s conclusion.
I Love His Response When Elizabeth Rejects Mr. Collins
Keep in mind the scene the place Elizabeth is proposed to by an eccentric clergyman named Mr. Collins (performed by Tom Hollander)? Nicely, earlier within the film, earlier than that occurs, when Mr. Collins first involves city, Elizabeth and her father alternate understanding seems to be about their distaste for the clergyman. I felt that second splendidly illustrates how the daddy/daughter are emotionally related, and it rewards the viewers later when he asks for her hand.
She refuses him, despite the fact that she was passing on a snug dwelling for herself and her household, and, as an viewers, we perceive that he’s on her facet. Whereas her mom will get immediately enraged by Elizabeth’s actions, her father exhibits timeless help for her by revealing he’ll by no means speak to her once more if she goes again on her determination and listens to his spouse/her mom.
How Mr. Bennet handles the Mr. Collins’ scenario made me really feel like I used to be witnessing an actual relationship as a result of you’ll be able to see how his fathering helps Elizabeth’s strong-willed character she has in flip and tendency to go together with what she feels is true. Actually, many ladies of her time would simply blindly agree with any proposal out of concern, however what makes Elizabeth particular is her incapacity to associate with one thing simply to slot in.
Mr. Bennet actually cares for her happiness greater than something, and isn’t having any of the societal politics her mom would possibly care about. It type of jogs my memory of the dynamic I share with my very own dad on many events when my mother has gotten caught up within the particulars and feelings as an alternative. Generally dads simply have your again as a result of they merely get you want nobody else does!
The Scene That Made Me Cry Was When He Realizes Elizabeth Has Discovered Her Husband
This brings me to the scene that actually bought me throughout my Pleasure and Prejudice rewatch. It’s the second proper after Mr. Darcy meets with him to ask for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage, and he meets along with his daughter. Despite the fact that her new suitor is unbelievably wealthy as is, he’s confused as a result of he didn’t suspect this marriage after she confirmed clear distaste for Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth then explains how she misjudged Mr. Darcy, and it took her a while to see his true colours.
It’s advised then that she goes on to elucidate to him how Mr. Darcy went out of his method to make issues proper between Jane and Mr. Bingley after initially steering him away from her sister, together with discovering her youngest sister, Lydia, who ran away with Wickham, and secretly paid for his or her wedding ceremony. The scene ends with Mr. Bennet in tears as a result of he realizes his daughter has discovered an excellent man and is actually in love. It leads him to say this:
I couldn’t have parted with you, my Lizzy, to anybody much less worthy.
And that’s the second I couldn’t assist however tear up. I hadn’t targeted on it earlier than in prior viewings, however Pleasure & Prejudice is as a lot a few household’s connection to marriage as it’s about falling in love itself, and that is so easy, however so particular to me. In a single scene, Donald Sutherland is ready to talk a lifetime of deep love for his daughter, whom he is aware of he’ll should half with and disclose to a person. The belief on his face that his daughter goes to be OK and comfortable as he continues to become older is the sweetest scene in the entire film, for my part.
Pleasure & Prejudice’s Romance Is Really Higher As a result of It Contains The Father’s Perspective With Such Vulnerability
So many love tales take care of the dynamic of a younger girl falling in love regardless of their dad and mom’ needs or consent, however I really discovered this story to be extra romantic as a result of she has these moments along with her father. Certain, there’s nothing fallacious with these tales, particularly when the feminine character is listening to her personal coronary heart fairly than going for what’s anticipated of her, however there’s one thing actually great about this story having the daddy being on the facet of the daughter and checking in along with her earlier than getting extremely moved by the results of her discovering her individual. On the finish of the day, most of us look as much as our dad and mom and wish them to be comfortable, and I like that the film frolicked on Elizabeth getting that along with her father fairly than her sisters or anybody else.
I promise you, with out these scenes, Pleasure & Prejudice simply wouldn’t work in addition to it does. It’s positively time to rely this among the many greatest Donald Sutherland motion pictures. Anyway, you’ll be able to nonetheless catch the film in choose theaters and stream it at dwelling. I’m wondering if the Pleasure & Prejudice collection, which is amongst upcoming e book diversifications, will spend time on this plotline, too, or go in one other path.