Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy

Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy is a fresh and modern twist on Jane Austen's timeless classic, Pride and Prejudice. This unique spin-off comes alive with a contemporary setting in Utah, United States, and most significantly, the protagonists are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). This adaptation smoothly intertwines the stories of faith, growth, and societal expectations within the setting of the modern-day LDS community.

At the center of the narrative, Kam Heskin delivers a compelling performance as Elizabeth Bennet, a bright and jovicund college student working towards her degree. Her trademark wit, candor, and candid demeanor bring a spark of modernism to the traditional ethos of Austen's beloved character. Elizabeth wants more from life, seeking passion, an elevated social consciousness, and genuine companionship. Her sentiments make it difficult for her to align with societal norms, consequently creating an interesting conflict in the plot.

Orlando Seale reignites the character of William Darcy as a charming, wealthy businessman, faithful to his LDS roots. This rendition of Darcy is more than just a wealthy businessman looking for love—he's a man grappling with combining the values of his religious upbringing with his position in the modern professional world. He is austere, unyielding, and seemingly unapproachable, but beneath the icy exterior lies a well of deep-rooted passion, empathy, and kindness.

Love polygons, misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and pride complement the complex dance between Elizabeth and Darcy, flawlessly echoing Austen's original plot. Ben Gourley, as Charles Bingley, provides a delightful portrayal of easily swayed, jovial, and amiable romantic, trapped in the midst of family pressures and his love for Elizabeth's friend, Jane. Lucila Sol, as Jane, captures the audience's hearts with her sweet, underplayed performance as the older, more subdued Bennet sister, struggling with expressing her true feelings for Bingley.

Maintaining the tempo is Henry Maguire's portrayal of William Collins—Elizabeth's socially awkward, marriage-seeking cousin. Maguire's performance succeeds in injecting the necessary doses of humor while maintaining the essence of Austen's comic relief character. Carmen Rasmusen's portrayal of Charlotte is notable. A key figure in the narrative, her character brilliantly displays the clash between personal desires and societal expectations, providing shrewd observations that mirror 21st-century sentiments.

The movie does a commendable job of portraying the contemporary LDS culture, complete with missions, devotion to faith, practice of family values, and societal expectations of marriage and family life. The beautiful panoramas of Utah impart further charm to the narrative, setting this adaptation apart from other Pride and Prejudice renditions.

Additionally, the film incorporates an array of characters faithfully representing their Regency counterparts. From the engaging Mrs. Bennet to the innocently sincere Lydia and the aloof, judgmental Catherine, director Andrew Black does a remarkable job of balancing humor, drama, and romance throughout the storyline.

One can't help but appreciate the humor embedded in the script, where every joke, punchline, and misinterpretation provides a fresh layer of depth to the focused narrative. Modernized instances of the classic story create a comfortable connection between the 19th-century Regency period and the 21st-century culture without losing the essence of the original masterpiece.

Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy masterfully highlights the similar societal complexities and expectations faced by women in the LDS community and in Austen's original setting. The intelligent narrative engages the audience, not just with the romantic impulses and social edicts but also the personal growth and transformation that the characters undergo, especially in understanding and working through their pride and prejudice. Be ready to enjoy a heartwarming and humorous journey filled with colors of love, prejudice, misunderstandings, and faith.