Unleashing Mr. Darcy

This movie gets lots of points for its attractive hero and the gorgeous dogs. It lost points for the wimpy, hyper-critical heroine. It didn't make sense that she was so wimpy when she first had problems at work and just plain snotty to a man who had given her no reason to be. In the Austen book, Elizabeth had heard Darcy make some very snide comments about her family and friends. As another reviewer said, this could have been so much better.

Dogs, "Pride and prejudice", lovely predactibility, good looking lead actors, good actresses in secondary roles , air of soap opera. And the rich man versus a version of Cinderella. So, unrealism in pure form. But a charming one.

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.

I am not sure whether knowing the novel will be a hindrance or a help, meeting Mr Bingley will definitely throw you, as will some of the other names, but for lovers of the BBC adaptation, they have Mr Darcy exiting the water. One thing I realise reviewing this piece is the importance or Mr & Mrs Bennett or in this version Scott, they are integral to the story. Watchable, but only just.