Before Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, there was Jane Austen. With her six novels that have remained certified classics, Austen changed the world with her romantic stories centered on strong, layered female characters. She’s one of the greatest romance writers of all time, so it’s no small feat to adapt one of her works. When newcomer Joe Wright signed on to direct a new feature film version of Pride and Prejudice— the first since 1940— the pressure was on to do justice for her fans. 

Pride and Prejudice follows Elizabeth Bennet, the second-eldest of five daughters, as her worldview and prejudices shift after meeting a prideful nobleman, Mr. Darcy. Twenty years ago, the 2005 movie adaptation of Pride & Prejudice starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen was released, and it remains one of the best period romance movies of all time, racking up four Oscar nominations. Few have tried, but none have succeeded of surpassing it as the gold standard of cinematic Jane Austen adaptations.

Before I discovered the whimsical world of Wes Anderson, Joe Wright was one of the first directors I actually followed. It takes guts to direct a Jane Austen movie, let alone a film in general. The fact that Pride & Prejudice is Wright’s feature directorial debut is genuinely remarkable, and he absolutely deserved his BAFTA win for Most Promising Newcomer. It takes a tribe of skilled artisans to make a movie. Under his direction, Wright brought the Bennet world to life with immaculate cinematography by Roman Osin, gorgeous production design by Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer (yes, Barbie’s Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer), impeccable costumes by Jacqueline Durran (yes, Barbie’s Jacqueline Durran), and romantic score by Dario Marianelli. If it were up to me, Wright would’ve been in the Best Director lineup over George Clooney. Who remembers Good Night, and Good Luck?

I want to give a special highlight to the casting director Jina Jay. Without her, Pride & Prejudice (2005) would not have stood out as the beloved classic it’s seen as today. A decade prior, the peak of Pride & Prejudice was the 1995 BBC miniseries starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. To many, this is still their preferred version, and if that’s you, I totally understand why. Ehle and Firth cast a long shadow on the 2005 adaptation, so it’s an achievement that Jay was able to find talent that could be on that same level (and in my opinion, surpass it). From veterans like Donald Sutherland and Judi Dench to fresh-faced newcomers like future Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan, the painstaking work of assembling talent like this is a true feat. If Achievement in Casting were a category back then, Jay would be a serious contender. 

Of course, the strength of Pride & Prejudice is found with its leads, Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. Starting with Macfadyen. On paper, he’s not your typical Hollywood heartthrob; yet, it’s his stolen, yearning glances at Elizabeth that turned him into a romantic lead. Macfadyen expertly captures Darcy’s proud, dignified demeanor that masks a man falling in love. The double take he makes as Darcy sees Elizabeth for the first time and the iconic hand flex lives in my head rent-free. And then there’s Knightley. I can’t imagine the weight on her shoulders at the time— slipping into Elizabeth Bennet’s muddy hemmed dress, a heroine who’s been an inspiration to audiences since the 1810s. While the concern was that Knightley was too pretty to play Elizabeth, she rose to the occasion, capturing Elizabeth’s quick wit, independent spirit, and passion. Her stares and silences speak volumes as her perception of Mr. Darcy evolves over the course of the film. Knightley absolutely earned her nomination for Best Actress at the 78th Academy Awards. 

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Pride & Prejudice is my favorite movie of all time. It’s not an exaggeration to say that when I watched it for the first time I was completely bewitched body and soul. As a high schooler, it spoke to my inner romantic and longing for my own Mr. Darcy. As an adult cinephile, I’m amazed by it from a directorial, technical level as well. It’s rare to capture lightning in a bottle when adapting a famous, beloved Jane Austen story, yet Joe Wright and screenwriter Deborah Moggach put on a master clinic with this film. 

I’ll admit, when I decided that I was going to write this, I was extremely intimidated. How can I put into words how much Pride & Prejudice means to me? How can I do justice writing about a film that I watch annually on Valentine’s Day? How can I convey the love I feel for a romance movie I can quote much of? I don’t think there will ever be enough words for me to say. With every rewatch, there’s a new detail I discover and appreciate. With the 20-year anniversary, I shelled out money to buy the score on vinyl. With every new Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen project, I’ll always remember the magic they created for me. Pride & Prejudice embodies the beauty of romance with every detail. Simply put, I love Pride & Prejudice most ardently.