Aishwarya Rai, Anupam Kher, Daniel Gillies

The determined Mrs. Bakshi sets out to find marriage matches for her four beautiful daughters while there's a lavish wedding party in town. Right away, the smart and headstrong Lalita announces she wi...( read more  read more... )ll only marry for love, giving her mother nightmares. Then Lalita meets wealthy American Will Darcy, and sparks immediately fly. But is it love or hate? Darcy comes off to Lalita as an arrogant California snob. Lalita looks to Darcy like a small-town Indian beauty that knows nothing of the world. Alternately enchanted by and suspicious of one another, Lalita and Darcy nearly fall prey to assumptions, gossip and a comedy of errors...until pride is humbled and prejudice overcome so that love can triumph.

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68% liked it

73,934 ratings

Critics

66% liked it

129 critics

PG-13, 120

Directed by: Gurinder Chadha

Release Date: February 11, 2005

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DVD Release Date: July 5, 2005

Stats: 4,547 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (4,547)


  • July 2, 2008
    Lalita Bakshi: "I'm sure you think India is beneath you.
    Will Darcy: If I really thought that, then why would I be thinking about buying this place?
    Lalita Bakshi: You think THIS is India?!
    Will Darcy: Well, don't you wanna see more investment, more jobs?<...( read more)/i>
    Lalita Bakshi: Yes, but who does it really benefit? You want people to come to India without having to deal with Indians.
    Will Darcy: Oh, that's good. Remind me to add that to a tourism brochure.
    Lalita Bakshi: Isn't that what all tourists want, five star comfort with a bit of culture thrown in? Well, I don't want you turning India into a theme park. I though we got rid of imperialists like you!
    Will Darcy: I'm not British, I'm American.
    Lalita Bakshi: Exactly!"

    Photobucket

    Here's a neat/odd idea - update Jane Austen's enduring story about love and regret using as a medium the fascinating and often weird world of Bollywood. Keep the city sophisticates in London, move the country cousins to India and add a layer of imperialism via the United States. Ripe grounds for a ripping tale of resistance and arranged weddings in which very colourful characters dance and sing against a very colourful background. An instant cross-over hit. Director Gurinder Chadha, who was born in Kenya, raised in London, and is married to a Japanese-American, is clearly attracted to ethnic multi-tasking and understands the revelatory appeal of cross-cultural story-telling, which she achieved with distinction in the uber-entertaining and loved Bend It Like Beckham, and she does it again with Bride & Prejudice.

    The basic storyline and skeletal structure are still the same as per Austen's novel, but now the clash of cultures provide an additional angle for the story to dwell upon, with brief commentary on the caste, and system of reputation, having Mr. and Mrs. Bakshi (Anupam Kher and Nadira Babbar), the proud parents of four beautiful daughters, on the prowl for eligible bachelors. The rather dominating Mrs. Bakshi, as usual, is the most preoccupied with finding suitable partners for each girl, starting with the eldest, Jaya (Namrata Shirodkar). News soon spreads about an eligible bachelor, Mr. Balraj (Naveen Andrews) arriving from London for a local wedding. Whilst Mrs. Bakshi rejoices at this wonderful opportunity, she faces stiff competition from a surprising number of fellow mothers with similar motives. Luckily Mr. Balraj ignores the others and becomes immediately smitten by Jaya.

    The instant attractions continue when Mr. Balraj's good friend Will Darcy (Martin Henderson) who spots Jaya's sister Lalita (Aishwarya Rai). His good looks and charm initially attract Lalita, although one or two conversations later, she decides he's arrogant and snobbish. Fate keeps bringing the two together but their apparent pride and prejudice continue to pull them apart. During this process Lalita meets a couple of other suitors, including the conniving Mr. Wickham (Daniel Gillies) and a hilariously terrible Indian-American Mr. Kholi (Nitin Chandra Ganatra). It's selection time and Lalita faces increasing pressure to pick her groom.

    If you haven't experienced Bollywood as of yet, this the ideal film start with, because it isn't exactly a Bollywood film - it's a Western comedy which incorporates elements from Bollywood. Therefore, elaborate song and dance routines will break out spontaneously, dialogue filled with clichés and dated jokes will abound and men and women will never kiss. Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding and Deepa Mehta's Bollywood Hollywood are two other films where East and West meet, making them good primers so as to ease your way into the Bollywood experience. Still, Chadha sticks largely to the Bollywood formula - at least as far as style goes. The costumes and sets both blaze with bright colours. With such a set design, it only adds to the fun feel of the film.

    Had the script been a product solely of Hollywood, it would induce nothing but groans and the sounds of theatre seats smacking back into place as audience members walked out early. Take the character of Mr. Kholi, for instance. He actually quotes the old Budweiser "Wazzup?" commercials that are five years overused and acts all-American, like he's in India on vacation or something like that, and not visiting his homeland. Sure, he's supposed to be a nerdy poser type, but of all the unfunny lines that could have come from him, the best that they could come up with is "Wazzup?" However, there's a lot of Chadha's tongue pressed in her cheek. It's meant to induce groans.

    Bride & Prejudice is very aware of itself as a cross-cultural film. And that perspective is exactly where its greatest strength lies. Like Monsoon Wedding and Bollywood Hollywood, it tackles the subject of converging cultures as old India, represented by Lalita's mother (hilariously played by Nadira Babbar) and old animal-drawn farm machines, and a new, emerging India, represented by the hustle and bustle of big business, cars and new technology. There is tremendous tension between the two and it's Lalita's generation who are stuck in the middle of it.

    Observations like pandering toward all things west as good, and dreams of instant emigration often get shot down, in no part due to rebuttal from Lalita, who exudes all things pro-India, and come to think about it, it's quite true as a universal theme if you discount the country in question, addressing the attitudes of migrants who forget their roots. Chadha is also just a little critical of Western influences on India, which is still a very young nation having gained independence just 60 years ago.

    Chadha has managed to create another extremely enjoyable and light-hearted film that, while still clichéed, is many steps above the hundreds and hundreds of romantic comedies that flood theatres around the world every year. She deserves credit for bringing all the elements of this romantic melodrama/comedy/musical together in such an energetic and appealing way. The musical numbers are a rousing mix of glitz and glamour. Several vigorously choreographed large group numbers are nothing short of spectacular. One of them even takes place on a Californian beach with a Gospel choir in blue robes and a serenading group of surfers provide backup music to the festivities. Bride & Prejudice is a cross-cultural gem filled with many magical moments.

    Former Miss World, Bollywood Queen Aishwarya Rai - who was listed by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world - does a great job as the female lead in her first starring-role in English. Despite the weaknesses in the personality of her character, Aishwarya manages to make Lalita very likable. She breathes life into the character and some of her facial expressions (particularly during emotional scenes) are like picturesque portraits. New Zealand actor Martin Henderson is adequate. He does a decent job, as does Naveen "Sayid" Andrews, with a refreshingly different role. However, everyone else becomes kind of irrelevant when compared to Rai, who is potentially the most attractive woman ever born in the history of life on Earth. There are no words appropriate for describing her beauty. You feel like you're watching some sort of otherworldly creature... and what a smile!

    All in all, still a decent romantic comedy with a plus for its Indian/Bollywood elements and its dare, though I'm not entirely sure if Austen purists would like to see that literary classic take a Bollywood turn. But those who enjoy Bollywood films or have always held a certain fascination for India will - guaranteed - have a very hard time not enjoying themselves. Bride & Prejudice, being part Jane Austen, part Bollywood and part Western comedy, probably won't be for everyone. Not probably, it won't be for everyone. It is however, a lot of fun if you let it, don't take it too seriously and accept, beforehand, that it'll be a predictable, resolution-long-known, but also extremely amusing and colourful film starring the most beautiful woman in the world. Like Chadha's Beckham, it's cotton-candy fluffy. It might not be the healthiest thing for you, but it makes you smile incessantly and feel oh-so-good while you eat it.
  • August 20, 2007
    Makes a fine addition to my collection.
  • December 6, 2006
    Fun musical comedy from one of the most interesting directors around.
  • March 10, 2006
    A colourful coreography of life with a bollywood spin on Jane Austin.
  • October 14, 2009
    I've always had a strange affinity for "Bollywood" pictures. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this musical take on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." All of the traditional elements are here (save the language; it's one of the few good "Bollywood" movies that's entirely in...( read more) English, and works just as well as it does in Hindi); large-scale dance numbers (one of which reportedly took six full days to shoot!), the likes of which even Busby Berkley could never have imagined, a "guest star" singer (in this case, Ashanti) with which the rest of the cast never interacts, clever comedy, and (of course) color, color, color! But fans of the Austen novel can rejoice; even though the story has been adapted to the times and the genre, all of the essential themes are here (as are most of the characters, who are given similar Indian names, such as "Lalita" for Lizzy, "Kholi" for Mr. Collins, "Jaya" for Jane, etc.). The result is a match made in cinema heaven. If you love "Bollywood" films, grand musicals, colorful cinematography, intricate love stories (though it's too bad that Indian taboo prevents us from seeing anybody kiss), the beautiful Aishwarya Rai, or would just like to see the actor who plays Sayid on "Lost" sing and dance (both of which he does very well, actually), then I can fully recommend this film.
  • October 21, 2009
    I love this movie! So colorful and sooo fun to watch. Of course it doesn't hurt to have Martin Henderson looking soooo good...hahahaha
  • October 20, 2009
    every time it comes on tv i have to watch it , i know that a lot of people hated it but it was a nice Bollywood movie to me ...
    it's an adaption of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice , meaning you still have the same characters but in a different setting (India)
    the music are ...( read more)great too , it's a kind of musical with lots of catchy and fun songs...
  • October 19, 2009
    Since I am familiar with "Pride and Prejudice" I already knew what was going to happen in this one but it was still fun seeing the spectacle. My favorite parts were the dancing and the songs "Punjabi Wedding Song," and "Marriage Has Come To Town" but especially "No Life Without W...( read more)ife" because it's soooo funny! I love the lyrics "I just want a man who gives some back , who talks to me and not my rack"!
  • October 16, 2009
    recommended by mustardnoize.....
  • October 14, 2009
    Awww, this was actually kinda cute. Silly in some parts but sweet in other ways. It followed the story pretty well. I like Aishwarya Rai. I think she gave a good performance and of course she's very beautiful. I'd like to see more of Martin Henderson and Naveen Andrews small...( read more)ish part was nice too. All I can say is it left me with a smile on my face. :)

Critic Reviews


February 11, 2005
Claudia Puig, USA Today

This feels more like a mixed-up Bollywood sitcom. full review

February 11, 2005
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

Watch it as a movie musical and you may be disappointed; watch it as an experiment in genres and be intrigued; watch it for the birth of an international star and be dazzled. full review

February 11, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A free-spirited adaptation of the Jane Austen novel. full review

February 10, 2005
Marcy Dermansky, About.com

Gurinder Chadha transplants the traditional tale of manners to India, infusing the tired story with dance numbers, orange marigolds, and Bollywood star, Aishwarya Rai. full review

January 27, 2005
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Purists who think Austen will be spinning in her grave will be wrong. She'll be dancing. full review

View more Bride and Prejudice reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • rashmipadhi
    April 8, 2008
    this movie is funny as well as emotional and has all the stuff required in making a good movie one must go and see this movie and expect it to be like a bollywood film and the person will not be disappointed.this is a truly different movie and is worth a watch. Better review can be found at http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=4613
  • pavacri23
    February 23, 2008
    this movie is not bad but some dances here are just crazy
  • bohemiacallada
    January 14, 2008
    Pride and Prejudice is a fantastic work of art of Jane Austen. So romantic, th unfair, the fair. WOW, but this Bollywood version is so cute, colorful, full of music movie.
  • blusky
    April 26, 2007
    I am not India but I like movie from there!!!!1is wanderfyl movie I watch it...wow lalitha is wanderfyl girl in this world( aishwarya rai)....big kiss for the beaty actress....movie is very very good....
  • aristos79
    March 11, 2007
    I bought this because I love it......cute actors, I love the costumes.T think is really funny and cute.
  • MyLifeBeLike
    February 15, 2007
    I love this movie...its awesome!!
  • technicalflavor
    July 17, 2006
    BRIDE AND PREJUDICE rises to the occasion and delivers what it promises: laughter and entertainment.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Bride and Prejudice Trivia


  • What Actress played in Bride and Prejudice and also in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants?  Answer »
  • Which movie was the bollywood version of pride and prejedice?  Answer »
  • In Which Bolliwood musical is a remake of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice?  Answer »
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