Colin Firth is the latest actor to win an Academy Award for his performance in a leading role. In “The King’s Speech,” he portrays King George VI, who unexpectedly becomes next in line for the throne when his brother abdicates to marry an American divorcee. This film chronicles his transformation from a stuttering Monarch, fearful of public speaking, to a King who was able to inspire and unite his country.
Other Awards for “The King’s Speech” Prior to winning the Oscar, Colin Firth won several other awards for his role in “The King’s Speech.” These awards include:
BAFTA for Best Actor
Golden Globes for Best Actor
KCFCC Award Best Actor
ALFS Award Best Actor of the Year and Best British Actor of the Year
OFCS Award Best Actor
“Pride and Prejudice” – Colin Firth’s Stepping Stone
In 1995, A&E televised BBC’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” At the age of 35, Colin Firth got his big break by starring in this made-for-TV mini-series as the handsome, romantic lead in Austen’s most popular novel. He later went on to star in the first and second “Bridget Jones Diary,” “What a Girl Wants,” “The Accidental Husband,” “Dorian Gray,” “Mama Mia!,” and “The Single Man'(for which he was nominated for an Oscar last year), just to name a few.
“Pride and Prejudice” — One of Jane Austen’s Most Popular Novels
Jane Austen began writing “Pride and Prejudice,” initially entitled “First Impressions”, when she was 21 years old. The manuscript was initially rejected, but years later at the age of 35, she revised the novel, renaming it “Pride andPrejudice.” It was finally published in 1813.
A romantic novel set in the early 1800’s, “Pride and Prejudice” centers around the budding romance between Mr. Darcy, a wealthy aristocrat and Elizabeth Bennet, the second oldest in a family of five girls “whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath” Mr. Darcy’s. This novel explores how Elizabeth and Darcy are able to overcome their pride and prejudices and recognize their true feelings for each other.
To Austen, “Pride and Prejudice” was more than just a love story between Elizabeth and Darcy. She artfully weaves her concerns about family, society, class distinctions, women, and marriage into the story line, but don’t worry if you’re not interested in delving too deeply into social issues of the 19th century. If all you want is an interesting romance, with a plot, you need look no further. “Pride and Prejudice” definitely delivers.
Cast of A&E’s “Pride and Prejudice” The acting in this movie is excellent. Particularly noteworthy are:
Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy portrays the dashing love interest of Elizabeth Bennett to perfection. He’ll have you fantasizing about your own Mr. Darcy.
Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet is outstanding in this role. Nobody could do Elizabeth better credit. She’s beautiful, too – a perfect match for Colin Firth. She also stars in “The King’s Speech” as the wife of King George’s speech therapist.
Julia Sawalha as Lydia Bennet does a first-rate job of playing the youngest and silliest Bennet sister. Undoubtedly, this girl has no redeeming qualities.
Alison Steadman as Mrs. Bennet is Elizabeth’s mother. She plays the dingbat very well indeed.
David Bamber as Mr. Collins is the Bennet girls’ cousin who asks Elizabeth to marry him. Bamber makes us almost feel sorry for this silly little man.
Anna Chancellor as Miss Bingley is excellent as the haughty, shallow sister to Mr. Bingley. She also played Colin Firth’s fianc©e in “All a Girl Wants.”
None of the other adaptations of “Pride and Prejudice”are close to the caliber of this version in terms of character development and entertainment. The latest remake of “Pride and Prejudice”starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet was released to theaters in 2005, but was a huge disappointment. Don’t waste your time on this movie. Buy or rent the A&E version starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. For under $25 you can buy the Blu-ray version, which is considerably superior to the Special Edition DVD. Although the movie is long (after all, it was broadcast as a mini-series), its exceptional cast and script will make the time fly by.
If you Like Romance, You’ll Love This Movie
By the end of the movie, you know Elizabeth and Darcy belong together. In the final scene, as Elizabeth and Darcy are leaving their wedding ceremony, they exchange a smile (they both have such great dimples) and a romantic kiss that will have you smiling and romanticizing about the dashing Mr. Darcy.
Colin Firth may have moved on to more distinguished and critically acclaimed roles, but to fans of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” he will always be remembered as the handsome and romantic Mr. Darcy.
Resources:
Pride and Prejudice Background
IMDb, Pride and Prejudice
IMDb, Colin Firth
