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Review #29 | "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" (2016)
Fans of Jane Austen's classic "Pride and Prejudice" will get a great laugh out of the latest film adaptation. Based on a novel of the same name, "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" reimagines what the story of Elizabeth and Darcy if England had been plagued by zombies. A far-fetched concept, but somehow it works on screen with fabulous casting.
Lily James of "Downton Abbey" and "Cinderella" fame leads the film in the role of a lethal Elizabeth Bennet. Sam Riley complements her as a strong-willed and badass Darcy. Douglas Booth, all-around good-looking guy who can also do Shakespeare (see my post on "Romeo and Juliet"), brings humbleness to the film as the lovestruck Mr. Bingley and makes the character more charming than we have ever seen him. But, let's talk about "Game of Thrones" legends Lena Heady and Charles Dance. Dance plays Mr. Bennet with finesse and humility, adding the bit of badass-ness that we all knew was inside Austen's original character. Lena Heady literally takes the title of Kick-Ass Queen as Lady Catherine, the greatest zombie slayer in the land. Surely Heady tapped into Cersei Lannister's mind for a little bit of inspiration. Perhaps the greatest gem of the film is Matt Smith as Mr. Collins, the one we all love to hate. In "P&P Zombies" you are actually allowed to like the character for some of the greatest one-liners from the past few years. He is a delight to watch and you sometimes beg for him to reappear on screen. He is the clown character that the film desperately needs. Because the concept of the film is so far-fetched, yet takes itself so seriously (because, you know, it's the world they live in), that we need to able to laugh with something or someone so we don't laugh at the film. Because, honestly, its "Pride and Prejudice" and zombies.
Overall, the film is a great laugh, especially for fans of the original content. Bits of the plot will be recognized by those who have seen any of the film or television adaptations as well as read the novel. It's great fun for those who wish to see how the story unfolds retaining the original content. And, honestly, it is not as cheesy as fans of the original have feared it to be.
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Rated PG-13. Runs 1 hour 47 minutes
Directed by Burr Steers. Starring Lily James, Sam Riley, Douglass Booth, Jack Huston, Bella Heathcote, Lena Heady, and Charles Dance.