BRIDE AND PREJUDICE

"Mr Darcy"

Lalita

Mrs Bakshi (Babbar) has four daughters and none of them have found themselves a husband. When Mr Balraj (Andrews) comes to India for a wedding and instantly takes a shine to her eldest daughter Jaya (Shirodkar) it looks like there could be a marriage in the Bakshi household. That is until her second eldest Lalita (Rai) meets Balraj's best friend, American Will Darcy (Henderson) and takes an instant dislike to him throwing her mother's wedding plans into chaos.

Mixing Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice and all the glamour and spectacle of Bollywood are a very intriguing idea but can this latest version of fusion filmmaking really work?

For fans of the novel and India cinema, 'Bend It Like Beckham' director Gurinder Chadha succeeds in taking a much loved period drama and transporting it into the 21st century but still keeps all of the key elements that make the story so adored. The director then mixes in a collection of songs and dance numbers that makes Bollywood such a unique cinematic medium at this present time.

Chadha has gathered together a cast that combines the best of Indian and British talent and then throws in a few American's for good measure. India's biggest female star Aishwarya Rai makes her English-speaking debut and makes an instant impression. A former Miss World winner Aishwarya is quite simply beautiful but she is also a fine actress as well. She shows real emotion as Lalita, as her heart is filled with romance and disappointment, she responds brilliantly. This is a role that should get her noticed on a worldwide scale and make her an international superstar. Martin Henderson shows his diversity in a role that you would never have visualised him taking. Darcy is one of the most adored male characters, especially by female book readers and Henderson isn't a Colin Firm but he does his best with the role. There is good chemistry between Aishwarya and him however making the film all the more watchable.

The supporting cast is also first rate. Nitin Chandra Ganatra provides the comic relief as Mr. Kohli, an American who returns to his homeland to find himself a bride. He provides most of the jokes and a lot comes at his expense. Nadira Babbar plays the overbearing mother superbly. She makes interfering with her daughter's love lives an art. Daniel Gillies plays cad Mr Wickham with relish, making him instantly dislikeable even though the Lalita and Lucky can't see it. Meghna Kothari, Peeya Rai Chowdhary and Namrata Shirodkar are also good as Lalita's sisters.

Where the movie falls down slightly is with the songs. While there is nothing wrong with bringing in a bit of Bollywood into English Literature but it is the lyrics that let the songs down. They are extremely basic and, at times far too simple. Also none of the really stick with you as many musical songs do. Another problem is with the singing of them. While the actors do actually sing their own part, it is so obvious that their vocals were recorded in a studio. This happens with every musical movie but it is so obvious that the actors are miming and not actually singing on set.

Bride and Prejudice is a fun Bollywood interpretation of a classic British novel. All your favourite characters are transported into the 21st century and given an Indian spin that will give the story a greater appeal to a larger audience.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Widescreen 2.40:1 Anamorphic with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the transfer is extremely good. Gurinder Chadha’s colourful world is vividly brought to life via a crystal clear picture. The sound is also very good, filling your speakers during the song and dance numbers and accompanying it with clear dialogue during the character interaction scene.

BONUS FEATURES

Commentary
Director Gurinder Chadha and writer Paul Mayeda Berges talk about the two year journey they went through bringing ‘Bride and Prejudice’ to the silver screen. They take extensively about referencing both Hollywood and Bollywood styles, hoping to appeal to both audiences. The pair also talks about making a Hindi version of an English classic but staying faithful to Jane Austen’s novel. Two people who feel passionate about the film also discuss production design, locations, casting and the overall look of the film at length in this chatty and informative commentary track.

Deleted Scenes and Song (12.55 mins)
These six deleted scenes some more of the Bakshi family and more of Darcy and Lalita’s interaction. There are also two deleted song sequences, with an introduction by director Gurinder Chadha, where you get to hear Martin Henderson sing.

Making of… (9.26 mins)
Director Gurinder Chadha, writer Paul Mayeda Berges and stars Aishwarya Rai, Martin Henderson, Nitin Chandra Ganatra, Namrata Shirodkar, Naveen Andrews, Ashanti and Daniel Gillies talk about bringing ‘Bride and Prejudice’ to the silver screen. The cast and crew talk about bringing Jane Austen to India and combining the Bollywood and Hollywood styles. They show how the song and dance numbers reflect the cross-cultural boundaries adapted by the film and influences of both American and Indian musicals are very prevalent. This is an interesting featurette about two different styles of filmmaking combining for a common goal.

Featurettes

Aishwarya Rai (8.12 mins)
The biggest female star in Bollywood talks about making her western cinema debut. She chats about how she got the part, the story, the cast and what drew her to the film. She also reveals her favourite scenes and what it was like working in on a multicultural movie.

Martin Henderson (5.10 mins)
One of Hollywood’s newest stars reveals why he took the part and what drew him to the movie. He also talks about filming in India and the Bollywood industry, outlining the differences between the two.

Production Design (3.22 mins)
Production designer Nicolas Elise reveals the Western/Bollywood look of the film. He talks about set design and filming problems as the production moved all over the world.

Makeup (3.48 mins)
Makeup artist Pat Haye talks about creating the look for ‘Bride & Prejudice’. She reveals how she created looks for each of the main characters and the 100+ extra employed on the film.

Choreography (5.28 mins)
Director Gurinder Chadha, writer Paul Mayeda Berges and choreographer Saro Khan talk about the blending of western and classic Indian dance styles in the movie. Saro Khan also reveals the influences behind the dances she created for the film and how the cast coped with the hectic training.

Ashanti’s Song (2.55 mins)
Director Gurinder Chadha and Ashanti talk about the traditional Bollywood practice of putting a big Bollywood star into a sequence in the film and Ashanti talks about adapting the Bollywood style. Outtakes (2.27 mins) A montage of gaffs and mishaps from the cast as they muck up the dances and songs.

UK Premier (6.47 mins)
Behind the scenes footage from world premier of ‘Bride & Prejudice’ in London, which features the cast, crew and guest arrivals and an introduction from director Gurinder Chadha and writer Paul Mayeda Berges.

Crew does the Songs (5.00 mins)
Director Gurinder Chadha introduces footage of the British crew and Aishwarya Rai performing the first song and dance number from the wedding sequence.

Theatrical and Teaser Trailers
Your chance to watch the promotional trailers for ‘Bride & Prejudice’ Gallery Behind the scenes and promotional images from the film

Production Notes including Cast & Crew Biographies
Insert the DVD into your PC to access these DVD ROM extras.

OVERALL

Pathé have done an excellent job with the DVD transfer of ‘Bride & Prejudice’. This is a packed single disc presentation that will have fans singing and dancing with joy. With an abundance of behind the scenes footages and interviews as well as a good commentary, there is a lot to enjoy here. A good buy for fans and a decent rent for everyone else.

DVD

Chicago

Pride and Prejudice

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2004