Unleashing Mr. Darcy

Jane Austen has been a longtime favorite of film makers and BBC programmers. Her novels of women's plights and the wonderful clothes that upper class English people wear have become the modern fairy tale model. As a result, it was almost inevitable that the Hallmark Channel would use Miss Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE as the basis for one of their movies.

Unhappily, in doing so, they have reduced the story to a series of incidents that ignore Miss Austen's close observation and musings on women's place in society to a standard romcon formula. The leads may be named Elizabeth and Darcy, but the whole is handled in a mechanical fashion. The writers have even tossed in puppies for cuteness; he is a dog show judge and she a dog handler.

There are some fine performances involved in this mediocre film. Frances Fisher as Mr. Darcy's aunt is an unadorned, snobbish piece of works -- without, alas, any of the humor typically brought to the role.

In the end, my issue with this Hallmark TV romantic comedy is the same as with a lot of them. They may be romantic in the sense that the beautiful and virtuous young woman winds up with the handsome and virtuous young man; it's the lack of anything comic that bores me. If the standard Hallmark romcon model is what you're looking for, you'll be satisfied. As for me, like Miss Austen, I'll continue to hope for more than characters who fit neatly into their plotted slots.

I really did enjoy the movie. It was so cute. However it was extremely unrealistic and totally unbelievable. Guys who are wealthy and over-the-top handsome are nowhere as sincere and compassionate as Donovan Darcy was. I am sure that a teenage girl in love would enjoy the series of the Darcy movies. Cute and adorable.

I thought this was a good film and the dogs were SOOO CUTE. However, I felt that Elizabeth was being rather unfair, especially how she was treating the titular character, Mr. Darcy throughout most of the film. It's pretty obvious she judged him and didn't really give him a change as it was a real gentlemen throughout the film. Despite that however, I thought this was a good film with a lot of elegance. Plus it's always interesting to watch a new couple come along as every relationship and love story is different. Plus I love Donovan's sister.

Elizabeth Scott (Cindy Busby) is a beloved teacher at a prestigious private school. She gets fired and threatened with a lawsuit when she refused to accept a bribe from Grant Markham, a parent of one of her failing students. When she participates in a dog show, she is smitten and frustrated with the seemingly arrogant judge Donovan Darcy (Ryan Paevey).

This Hallmark romance is trying to adapt Pride and Prejudice into the modern world. There are themes in the classic novel that are nearly impossible to adapt into modern America. The central need for wealth and English class system are not easily transferred. In order to make wealth an issue, there needs to be an uber wealth involved which is hard to make on a Hallmark budget. The premise's difficulty needs an inventive solution which I do not have. I do like Busby's huffy annoyance. Paevey is rather stiff but that's ok for Darcy. One hopes for greater charisma but at least, he looks great. At the end of the day, I like their combative relationship and her frustration with him. I like the couple and that's enough for a pass.

I wanted to like this movie. There were a lot of good parts and the ending was very good. But, Elizabeth comes of bitter, rude and mean. In so many spots, Darcy goes out of his way for her and she is awful to him. Darcy did a very good job at coming off a bit cold but charming and genuine. I would've given 10 stars if Elizabeth had done a better job and coming off like she doesn't belong or being uncomfortable without being so mean over and over.