Finding Jane Austen

I'm not sure why it took me so long to discover Jane Austen. Or, rather, I should say, film adaptations of her work. It was only this year that I watched Sense and Sensibility, with Kate Winslett and Alan Rickman, both admired by me. I loved it. This time it was the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice that came before my gaze. Starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, the outstanding male lead from Brad McGann's (NZ) outstanding film In My Father's Den. Macfadyen, alone, was reason enough to hire the film. And he didn't disappoint. Keira Knightley, whom I had not previously been convinced by, was made for the role of Elizabeth. Astonishingly good, actually. Without giving any more information, may I simply say that the film was an absolute delight. One I could easily and enjoyably see again. Interestingly, the bonus features included the alternate US ending. A few minutes tagged on to the end. I feel compelled to say it was decidedly syrupy. I preferred the British version, which concludes at the end of the scene between Elizabeth and her father, played by Donald Sutherland. I appreciate knowing that the director acknowledged my own imaginative powers by not spelling everything out loudly.