Day 22: Pride & Prejudice

Today I got to hang out with my best friend for the last time before she goes back off to college. We watched Pride & Prejudice, which she owns and has seen several times, but has never read the book, and which I had not seen until tonight, although I've read the book a few times.
I had high hopes for this movie, since I absolutely love the novel. Jane Austen is one of the wittiest writers I've read, and I can't hate single one of her characters because no matter how outrageous or irritating or insufferable they are, they all bring something to the story that I love. And some of my favorite characters in literature come from Pride & Prejudice.
First, I have to say that I have a general rule about movies being made from books that I think I share with a good amount of people: that the movie is never as good as the book. The only exception to this rule that I have ever encountered was Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. The movie and the book were very different, and while both were really good, I think I preferred the movie. (In all fairness, I did see the movie first, so that might have factored into my decision a bit.)
However, while the Pride & Prejudice could never be as great as the novel that I love so much, it came pretty dang close. Many of the lines I really love (not my favorite line, but loads of others) were kept in the movie, and not changed too much. The characters were pretty true to the ones in the novel, as well as the general storyline. All in all, it was one of the best film adaptations I've ever seen of a novel. I was really impressed. It was a lot better than I thought it would be, and I had already expected to really like it.
Another thing I loved about it was the set. It was one of the most gorgeous sets I have ever seen in a movie. Every scene outdoors, and even some of the ones inside, were absolutely stunning. I'm not quite sure where it was filmed (Sarah said she thinks England) but wherever it is, I would like to live there. I don't know how many times I commented on the set; I think Sarah must've wanted to kill me for talking so much.
And I think everyone was cast perfectly. I'm already a big fan of Keira Knightley, and I think period piece movies suit her exactly. She might not be who I would have picked as Elizabeth Bennet, but I really liked her as Elizabeth. She did a great job. Rosamund Pike was a really lovely, sweet Jane. Matthew Macfadyen was perfect for the part of Darcy, that's all I can say about him. I loved him. And BINGLEY. For some reason, as great of a character as Bingley is, I never fully appreciated him until I saw Simon Woods portray him in this movie. There are NO WORDS for how much I loved him. He was absolutely, perfectly Bingley. He was not at all the way that I pictured Bingley (looks-wise) but fit him much better than the picture in my head did, and he was definitely the best fit to play the sweet, kind, happy man that Jane Austen wrote. I couldn't stop smiling every time he came onscreen. Plus, he had the cutest baby face ever. (I had to mention it.) I just wanted to put him in my pocket. He's adorable.
Anyways, I would definitely recommend this movie to fans of the book, and if you're not a fan of the book and you like period piece movies, or if you like to laugh (WARNING: It's intelligent humor, not "I Love You Man," "The Hangover," "Step Brothers," "Superbad" humor. Jane Austen was CLEVER) then you should check it out.
5 STARSSSSS!

Song of the Day: St. Patrick's Day- John Mayer