Unleashing Mr. Darcy

Jane Austen has been a longtime favorite of film makers and BBC programmers. Her novels of women's plights and the wonderful clothes that upper class English people wear have become the modern fairy tale model. As a result, it was almost inevitable that the Hallmark Channel would use Miss Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE as the basis for one of their movies.

Unhappily, in doing so, they have reduced the story to a series of incidents that ignore Miss Austen's close observation and musings on women's place in society to a standard romcon formula. The leads may be named Elizabeth and Darcy, but the whole is handled in a mechanical fashion. The writers have even tossed in puppies for cuteness; he is a dog show judge and she a dog handler.

There are some fine performances involved in this mediocre film. Frances Fisher as Mr. Darcy's aunt is an unadorned, snobbish piece of works -- without, alas, any of the humor typically brought to the role.

In the end, my issue with this Hallmark TV romantic comedy is the same as with a lot of them. They may be romantic in the sense that the beautiful and virtuous young woman winds up with the handsome and virtuous young man; it's the lack of anything comic that bores me. If the standard Hallmark romcon model is what you're looking for, you'll be satisfied. As for me, like Miss Austen, I'll continue to hope for more than characters who fit neatly into their plotted slots.

I am kind of Hallmark Channel aficionado (also stayed at a Holiday Inn express) so I know the formula. No oscars will be won, but some are heartwarming, touching, funny or just crazy...but this one...wow (not in the cute meet wow sense) First, I don't get the attraction between them...but then there is this sister, and she is beyond clueless....🙄 I screamed at the TV in frustration because of what she kept doing to the main character...if she is supposed to be Jane from the book...oh vey...anyway, ya'll know the book, you can imagine the story line...it's your two hours

I wanted to like this movie. There were a lot of good parts and the ending was very good. But, Elizabeth comes of bitter, rude and mean. In so many spots, Darcy goes out of his way for her and she is awful to him. Darcy did a very good job at coming off a bit cold but charming and genuine. I would've given 10 stars if Elizabeth had done a better job and coming off like she doesn't belong or being uncomfortable without being so mean over and over.

Dogs, "Pride and prejudice", lovely predactibility, good looking lead actors, good actresses in secondary roles , air of soap opera. And the rich man versus a version of Cinderella. So, unrealism in pure form. But a charming one.

I thought this was a good film and the dogs were SOOO CUTE. However, I felt that Elizabeth was being rather unfair, especially how she was treating the titular character, Mr. Darcy throughout most of the film. It's pretty obvious she judged him and didn't really give him a change as it was a real gentlemen throughout the film. Despite that however, I thought this was a good film with a lot of elegance. Plus it's always interesting to watch a new couple come along as every relationship and love story is different. Plus I love Donovan's sister.