BRIDE AND PREJUDICE (2004) - ♦

Directed by - Gurinder Chadha

Written by - Paul Mayeda Berges, Gurinder Chadha (based on the novel by Jane Austen)

Starring - Martin Henderson, Aishwaraya Rai Bachchan

"JANE AUSTEN gets a BOLLYWOOD makeover in GURVINDER CHADHA's BRIDE AND PREJUDICE. The whole concept of tying two cultures together through Bollywood's distinctive eccentricities with one of the most celebrated Western novels of all time may hint at exciting experimentation. Perhaps this is also what ultimately contributes to it being an awful disappointment. 

What it really is, is a stale musical where style prevails over every other aspect. BRIDE AND PREJUDICE can't quite shake off the awareness of the fact that it is an adaptation of a foreign cinematic language for a more international audience. This reflects upon its half hearted emotional aspects, which makes its developments incredibly underwhelming and mind numbingly dull. It offers little new in its representation of the themes of cultural differences, that feel dumbed down in order to suit the standards of the most commercial of musicals. 

The colourful costumes come across as far more expressive than the performances of the cast. The cast, however, is not allowed much of a chance, in a screenplay that is systematically interrupted by timely musical numbers, that do nothing to enhance any aspect of the plot in any significant way. 

As a result, even the JANE AUSTEN influences and energies are almost entirely ignored, therefore the pivotal romance in the film severely lacking in interest. One to avoid."

Romantic Comedy, UK/USA