Captain America selecting up Thor’s hammer in Avengers: Endgame. The Rocky theme enjoying in Creed. Cynthia Erivo hitting that top word throughout “Defying Gravity” in Depraved. These are only a few small samples of memorable moments from motion pictures which have the viewers erupting in cheers. But one of many largest ones I’ve heard was in 2025 on Easter Sunday after I went to see a re-release screening of Joe Wright’s Delight & Prejudice, which was celebrating its twentieth anniversary.
The particular second in query was the notorious hand flex. If you have not heard this expression or seen the film, you need to repair that as a result of it’s totally pleasant. However the second comes early within the film, when Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) helps Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) right into a carriage. Regardless of having beforehand insulted her, the 2 share a short second when she appears down and sees he’s holding her hand. As he walks away, the digicam cuts to Darcy’s hand the place his fingers stretch outward, overwhelmed by the feeling of feeling Elizabeth.
That is an iconic a part of the movie, and Focus Options is aware of this as they made merchandise of this particular second. Let me inform you, although, seeing it in a movie show with a crowd of individuals, you can really feel the electrical energy within the room, and the viewers erupted in cheers. It actually was one thing particular, and in contrast to the dreaded “Rooster Jockey” pattern, no one is inflicting any destruction to the films. This was a second of pure, real pleasure. But what’s it about this second that’s so iconic, and so exhilarating, the place, after 20 years, the variation of a Jane Austen novel can elicit a response that rivals a superhero film on opening evening?
The Artwork of Craving
Delight & Prejudice is the unique and greatest enemies-to-lovers story, a well-liked trope in romantic fiction the place two characters begin out hating one another, making it appear practically unimaginable to think about they’ll find yourself collectively. This creates a transparent character arc for the 2 to comply with, the place they finally fall for one another and may not think about their lives with out each other. This romantic trope goes hand in hand (ba dum tss) with the concept of craving, that intense feeling that longs for one thing or somebody. It may be each a supply of nice ardour and nice interior ache, which is nice for love because it creates a transparent interior and everlasting battle for the couple to beat.
Mr. Darcy is a person of unbelievable standing and wealth, however little or no rizz. Early within the movie, he says that Elizabeth is “Completely tolerable, I dare say, however not good-looking sufficient to tempt me.” Elizabeth overhears this and instantly despises him. The hand flex scene is so highly effective as a result of it speaks to the battle inside Darcy and the contradictory nature of people. Regardless of Darcy’s phrases saying he has no real interest in Elizabeth Bennet, and certain he believes this, the sheer act of the hand flex reveals the reality in a delightfully electrical approach. His unconscious wishes have gotten clear, and his physique reveals his true emotions. He yearns for her and may not cover it.
Ending
The ending of Delight & Prejudice is so efficient as a result of it pays off all of the painful, dramatic rigidity introduced on by Lizzie and Darcy’s apparent craving. The movie’s ultimate second is of Elizabeth and Darcy sharing a candy, tender second. That is the primary time the viewers sees Darcy relaxed, as if all of the pent-up emotions he has been holding for Elizabeth have lastly been allowed to dissipate. When Elizabeth tells Mr. Darcy he can solely name her Mrs. Darcy “when you find yourself fully, and completely, and incandescently comfortable.”
He proceeds to name her Mrs. Darcy not as soon as, not twice, not thrice…however 5 occasions! All whereas he kisses her on the brow, the cheeks, the nostril, earlier than concluding with a kiss on the mouth!
That is their first kiss within the movie, and the film rightfully is aware of that is what audiences have been ready for, so like an important traditional Hollywood romance, the film closes on the ultimate kiss. Evidently, the viewers swooned and applauded. Are you able to imagine this ending was really minimize out of the unique UK launch of the movie as a result of Jane Austen followers discovered it to be nothing just like the creator’s work? Audiences complained, and the scene was added again into the movie after the North American launch of Delight & Prejudice. Judging by the viewers’s response, this was the correct ending.
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The Enduring Legacy of ‘Delight & Prejudice’ and the Hand Flex Impression
Delight & Prejudice opened in theaters; it was a modest box-office hit. Domestically, it grossed $32 million over three months, by no means cracking the home high 5. It carried out exceptionally nicely internationally, with a worldwide field workplace whole of $121 million towards a $28 million finances. It was a crucial hit and wound up with 4 Academy Award nominations, together with a Finest Actress nomination for Keira Knightley.
Nonetheless, the film’s recognition later exploded when it arrived on residence video, discovering an viewers amongst younger moviegoers who have been possible too younger to see it when it first got here out. It has turn out to be a consolation film due to its glowing sunrises, heat costumes, and the country, comforting setting of the Bennett family. It is a film you need to dive into. Not solely does it seize the spirit of the Jane Austen novel, but additionally the sensation of being caught up in an excellent guide.
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It actually discovered a big viewers amongst younger ladies, and within the years since, it has gained recognition on websites like Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok, with the time period “Hand Flex” featured in lots of movies. Followers use “my very own private hand flex” as an expression due to how iconic the second is and what it symbolizes, a easy gesture of pure romance.
One of the simplest ways to explain why the Hand Flex has turn out to be so iconic and spoken to so many viewers members really comes from essentially the most surprising place: 2008’s Nick & Nora’s Infinite Playlist. What may a film about younger 20-year-olds in New York need to say that would hook up with a Jane Austen traditional? Halfway via the movie, Thom (Aaron Yoo) explains to his buddy Nick (Michael Cera) what made The Beatles such an important band, citing their debut single, “I Wanna Maintain Your Hand.” He says:
“The Beatles, that they had all of it discovered, okay? ‘I Need to Maintain Your Hand.’ The primary single. It is effing good, proper?… That is what all people desires, Nicky. They do not need a twenty-four-hour hump sesh, they do not need to be married to you for 100 years. They only need to maintain your hand.”
It’s that easy. The good love story of ‘I Need to Maintain Your Hand’ and the Hand Flex is one thing so simple as eager to really feel the heat and companionship of somebody in essentially the most harmless approach. When Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth briefly maintain fingers, and that easy look at each other is when their dynamic shifts. Darcy’s huge occupation of affection, Elizabeth’s heartbreak on the concept of him with another person, and their ultimate kiss that brings the curtain down all start with a easy second. A easy contact adjustments every little thing, and that’s the final romantic fantasy everybody desires to imagine in.
Whereas Delight & Prejudice is a good film to take pleasure in at residence, seeing it on a giant display was breathtaking and well worth the value of admission. Not solely have been the colours extra daring and crisp, however the expertise of being with a gaggle of people that have been on the sting of their seats as these two very enticing however cussed people performed a recreation of emotional rooster was as big-screen worthy as any Marvel superhero film or Star Wars movie. A superb romance is simply as worthy of big-screen viewing as an motion film.