By Lydia Watson watching Cher flirt with other seemingly more interesting guys or just trying to be her friend and in the end finding it too difficult, he still comes across as a romantic hero, and when Cher finally realizes where true love is, we all breathe a sigh of relief with Josh much as we did for Mr. Knightly. Another Austen story turned into a modern day film is Bride & Prejudice. Though it has become more well known since its 2004 screen debut thanks to dedicated Austen fans passing it from one friend to another, it still remains relatively unknown despite being one of the most creative re-interpretations of an Austen novel. Set in modern day India and staring one of India‘s most popular and highest paid actresses, Aishwarya Rai, it transports the viewer from a traditional English setting to Amritsar, India along with many of the Bollywood film tropes. Whether it‘s the random song and dance numbers in the middle of a scene to the fact that none of the lead actors and actresses kiss, watching this film is one of the most fun ways to see a different side of Austen. However, you can‘t have a Pride and Prejudice story without a Mr. Darcy. And if there is one film translation that provides a Mr. Darcy comparable to Colin Firth, it would be this one. Rich, handsome and distant, he is exactly what a modern day Darcy should be. Arriving in India with
his friend Balraj (Bingley), Will Darcy isn‘t sure how to handle the poorer side of India, and especially the traditional yet untraditional Lalita Bakshi (Lizzy). Their dynamic is instant. Whether they are arguing Indian politics, arranged marriages or finally falling in love, these two portray exactly what you think of when reading about Darcy and Lizzy, showing that Austen‘s themes and characters have no bounds. And where would Pride & Prejudice be without Mr. Collins and Wickham? Austen is best known for her dashing romantic leads but she could also write romantic foils, whether it‘s Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility or the aforementioned men of Lizzy‘s world. The figures of Collins and Wickham in this version demonstrate that no matter where the story takes place, these two characters are still essential and create some of the most memorable scenes. Mr. Kholi (Mr. Collins) is living in America and has come back to Amritsar to seek a wife. His nice house, pool, and green card are something Mrs. Bakshi is desperate for one of her daughters to marry into. But of course just like the original story, Lalita will have none of that and Kholi provides for many laughs and as well as story development.
This film is much more obviously taken directly from Pride and Prejudice unlike Clueless or even Bridget Jones Diary (a far looser modern translation with morals to match) but it still adds its own unique contributions to the story. All Bollywood films have song and dance numbers and this one has some very memorable ones. After Mr. Kholi dines with the family and makes it clear that he‘s seeking a wife, the sisters sing No Life, Without Wife, one of the film‘s funniest and most quotable songs. Though there are some odd musical moments, particularly when Lalita and Darcy are walking along a beach followed by a choir of gospel singers, it still remains a fun and cute interpretation of a classic story with a charming look at Indian culture and song.
No matter if it‘s a look at the 90‘s, life in India or one of the many other modern adaptations and translations of Austen‘s works, it is clear that Jane Austen created characters, and especially romantic leads, that we all want to fall in love with. Though these films may not be for the Austen purist, for all else who enjoy seeing how well these dynamic figures translate into different times and locations, they are well worth a watch. Whether you laugh at the fashion statements of the 90‘s in Clueless, or sing along with the catchy tunes of Bride & Prejudice, it won‘t take long for you to fall in love with Austen‘s world—and her leading men—all over again. ♥
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