I recently took and intersession class on Pride & Prejudice & Fandom, where we not only
read discussed Pride & Prejudice, the acclaimed 18th-century novel by Jane Austen (written in
the 1700s although published in1813), but also a number of adaptations, parodies, and fan-made
works. Part of this involved watching the 2005 film Pride & Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley.
Not only was I pleasantly surprised by the novel itself, but the film is one of my favorites from
the past year! While many parts are omitted for the sake of time it generally stays true to the
novel. What I appreciate the most about the film is that it brings out the comedy. Pride &
Prejudice is satirical and witty, and the movie adaptation emphasizes the hilarity. Below I have
listed just a few of my favorite funny scenes from the 2005 Pride & Prejudice movie. If you
haven’t seen it already, you should definitely go watch it!
1. Bingley and Darcy visit the Bennet women.
Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy’s unexpected visit to the Bennets is absolutely hilarious. The disorder
shown in the scene through frantic movements, panicked whispers, frequently changing shots,
and quick zooms contrasts beautifully with the air of nonchalance about the women as their
housekeeper leads Mr. Bingley and Darcy into the room. This scene contains some truly fantastic
lines of dialogue. “Everyone behave naturally!” is a wonderful old-timey version “everyone, act
natural!” that so often evokes a laugh from the audience. Mrs. Bennet is truly great in this scene.
Her voice is light but shrill, and is balanced by the Kitty’s loud commentary and Jane’s quiet
alarm. (My other favorite line is from Jane: “Mary, the ribbons? The ribbons? The ribbons.”).
2. Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth.
Mr. Collins is a caricature of a man who serves as fodder for comedy in both the novel and the
2005 film adaptation. His proposal to Elizabeth is one of many fantastically funny scenes he is
part of. While we are laughing at him and his actions, Mr. Collins is undeniably one of the
funniest Pride & Prejudice characters. Right before he gets down on one knee, Collins tells Lizzy
“And now, nothing remains but for me to assure you in the most animated language of the
violence of my affections”, in the driest voice possible. The delivery of all of his lines in the
scene are similar, monotone and colorless with just enough loud swallowing and pregnant pauses
to make the audience as uncomfortable as Lizzy must be in the scene. The slight zoom on both
his and Lizzy’s faces as they converse only adds to the hilariousness of the scene.
3. Mr. Bingley’s non-proposal and subsequent practice.
Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, as mentioned previously, visit the Bennets. The camera switches
from close ups of Mrs. Bennet to Bingley to Jane to Bingley again, during a very awkward
silence. Will Bingley propose to Jane, or at least profess his love for her? Apparently, not. “We
must be going” he says after a visible gulp. As he continues, the camera once again changes
close-up shots between Bingley to Darcy to Elizabeth and back to Bingley. As Mrs. Bennet
implores his to visit again, Bingley’s face looks pained. A quick cutaway shows four of the
Bennet women all standing in the same pose as when they first greeted the men, and it seems
almost creepy, which makes Bingley’s unease even more funny. The next scene of Bingley and
Darcy outside where Bingley talks out loud about how he had planned the visit to go makes the
viewer pity him, but also laugh at the irony of the situation. The constant pacing, the clear regret
Bingley has, the role-playing Darcy partakes in is all fantastically funny and surprisingly
light-hearted in the face of the fact that Bingley and Jane are separated soon after.
It was incredibly interesting to see how Pride & Prejudice the novel was brought to film.
Furthermore, I enjoyed exploring the world of comedy in video production- those of you who
watch tv shows such as The Office and Parks & Rec would know, zooming in really does make
everything funnier. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone who likes watching (or
hate-watching) comedies, especially romantic comedies. And hey, if you like the movie, maybe
try reading (or re-reading) the book! It’s a classic for a reason.