By Amber Ammouche
Women all around the world think chivalry is dead, but when they immerse themselves in the world in which Elizabeth Bennet and Mr William Darcy meet, they’re given a glimmer of hope. Hope that maybe somewhere out there, far away, is a person who embodies all the characteristics of Mr William Darcy.
The iconic film starring Kiera Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as William Darcy celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with special screenings all around the globe.
For some unknown reason this is one of my favourite films! After watching it once, I was hooked. Now every time I watch Pride and Prejudice I feel a warm comfort in my soul. The type of “old school love” before there was “old school love.”
Is it the costumes? The backdrops? The fun old-English accents that Aussies aren’t accustomed to?
Many years later, this story, both the novel and film, are considered timeless classics. If anything, it shows how the characters have grown by the end of the film, putting both their prides, prejudices and everything else aside in the name of love. It wasn’t a 90-minute unrealistic fairytale but rather a slow burn where both parties were surprised by their feelings for each other considering their attitudes and assumptions at their first meeting.
In the 21st century, some would say the dating world has become a pathetic excuse of meaningless hookups with no long-term meaningful connections. Where people don’t try and take their time to get to know you and or find you boring if you don’t open up immediately.
Growing up watching this film, it spread the message that girls are raised to be mindless bimbos with no thoughts of their own only to marry, run a house and have babies. Being told to marry for money instead of love.
However, as I got older and rewatched the film I realised the character of Elizabeth Bennet wants more than that. She wants someone to love her completely for her soul, not her social status. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and have a voice. Elizabeth Bennet paved the way for girls like me to not be afraid to speak our minds and say how we feel. That we shouldn’t dumb ourselves down to please others.
