Pride and Prejudice (2005) is celebrating its 20th anniversary and I’m so incandescently happy.

By Julia Kelm

Pride and Prejudice is based on the classic novel by Jane Austen that came out in 1813. It’s a love story set in the English gentry during the Georgian era. 

The story mainly follows Elizabeth Bennet — Keira Knightley — a rather outspoken and self-assured woman for the era, as she faces extreme pressure from her parents to marry. 

However, upon being introduced to the stern, yet handsome upper-class Mr. Darcy — Matthew Macfadyen — sparks fly instantly. Despite their animosity, there is obvious chemistry between the two. Over time, their relationship blossoms from enemies into lovers.

There was a showing of the film at 5:00 p.m. at the Minor Theater on May 1 to celebrate the anniversary. I was unable to procure myself a ticket, regrettably, so I had to settle for streaming the film on Netflix. 

I wish I could’ve seen this film on the big screen, even though I have probably seen it about 100 times before. Although, you won’t hear me complain about seeing it for the 101st time.

I know it’s annoying and kinda ignorant to say I wish I lived in another time, but GOD DAMN! This movie makes me long for the English countryside, the ball and to be courted. Just for a night is all I ask — surely that’s a reasonable request? 

Although the theater-going experience is undeniably the best way to watch a movie, I think a similar sentiment can be said for watching movies with your friends. Obviously, in public, I wouldn’t cry out every line of this film aloud like scripture. My living room, on the other hand, is another story. 

I think the best way anyone can enjoy any movie is with friends and loved ones. Any movie I’ve watched myself, I’ve forced my friends to watch, too. That’s just my love language, I guess.

The acting and cinematography are unmistakably fantastic. If you’ve seen this film as many times as I have, you are likely aware of the iconic hand flex scene. Hardly a word is spoken in this scene, yet you completely understand the rising tension and romantic dynamic between Elizabeth and Darcy. I wish I could frame this scene and put it on my wall for an eternity — that’s how immaculate it is to witness. 

Not to mention the ballroom scene where Darcy requests Elizabeth to dance. After bickering for a moment, the camera pans to make it appear that Darcy and Elizabeth are dancing completely alone, signifying that they only have eyes for one another. If that isn’t cinema, I don’t know what is.

Regardless of whether you were able to see Pride and Prejudice in theaters or not, it’s an unforgettable experience — and definitely worth seeing, again, again and again.

Julia is a journalism major at Cal Poly Humboldt. She loves film and is a regular on Letterboxd. To quote Robin Williams in her all-time favorite movie, Dead Poets Society, “The powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”