Review of 2004's Bride and Prejudice
Bollywood’s Take on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
Those who have read Austen’s novel will love this movie. Those who have seen the original 1940 screen version of Pride and Prejudice will love this movie. Even those who fell in love with Colin Firth’s Mr. Darcy will love Bride and Prejudice. It is that wonderful.
Aishwarya Rai Takes on Elizabeth Bennet
Widely known as the “queen of Bollywood,” Aishwarya Rai plays Austen’s heroin to a tee. The Bennet family becomes the Bakhsis family in this Indian adaptation. The five Bennet daughters are minimized to four Bakhsis daughters, Lalita (Elizabeth), Jaya (Jane). Lakhi/Lucky (Lydia), and Maya (Mary).
Rai truly is the star of this movie. Just as Elizabeth Bennet refuses to have her marriage arranged, Lalita prefers to wait until she is in love. Being a former Miss World (1994), Rai makes for a gorgeous character to watch. She purportedly gained twenty pounds for the role so she would appear more “real.” For more trivia on Rai, check out her website.
Mr. Darcy Visits India
When a British-born gentleman of Indian descent attends a local wedding, the Bakhsis’ hope he will fall for one of their elder daughters. Balraj is immediately taken with Jaya, and the feelings are mutual. Lalita catches the attention of Balraj’s American friend, William Darcy.
Martin Henderson’s Darcy is not quite as cold as Firth’s 1995 version. He’s a bit more of a natural flirt, and he’s more disappointed when Lalita meets his nemesis Johnny Wickham. Lalita learns that Darcy is considering buying an Indian resort to add to his family’s hotel chain. She becomes quite irritated when he voices a few complaints about the resort, assuming that is what he thinks of her native country. When she invites Wickham to stay at her family home for a while, Darcy and Balraj leave India.
Arranged Marriages and Class Differences
The Bakhsis’ are delighted that Jaya expects Balraj to propose soon. They do not, however, approve of the American men attracted to Lalita. To distract her, they arrange for her to meet a distant cousin, Kohli, who is now a business mogul in California. Kohli is the modern version of the Bennet’s cousin, Mr. Collins. Both Collins and Kohli are amusing in a decidedly off-putting way.
As tides turn, Lakhi runs off with Wickham, though she doesn’t take it as far as Lydia Bennet. Kohli proposes to Lalita’s friend and invites the Bakhsis’ to California for the wedding. Jaya is broken-hearted to learn that Balraj has gone to New York without getting back in touch with her.
Mr. Darcy Proposes to Lalita
We all know that Elizabeth turns down Mr. Darcy’s first proposal. Lalita is no different, though the proposal takes place in sunny California. Their misunderstandings are resolved more quickly in this version, which makes for a speedier happy ending. Of course, Darcy helps Jaya and Balraj reunite too. The two couples are married, as Austen intended.
Bride and Prejudice is a joyous musical version of a classic British tale. The cast is beautiful and talented, which makes the movie all the more enjoyable to watch.
Bride & Prejudice poster
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