"Pride & Prejudice" is the best of the recent slew of LDS-oriented comedies, but that's not much of a compliment. Most of the others have been more akin to filmed "road shows" than feature films.
Actually, this updated and largely Utah-specific adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel is cuter than it is funny, and constant reminders that the film is (loosely) based on Austen's book isn't the film's smartest move. (It only serves to remind us how much better the book is, as well as other film versions.)
Consequently, this "Pride & Prejudice" probably won't be of much interest to those outside of its target audience. (Unless they're interested in seeing Utah's "American Idol," Carmen Rasmusen, whose glorified cameo seems out of place.)
Kam Heskin, in the lead role, isn't particularly likable or sympathetic as Austen's heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, who in this version is a student at Brigham Young University. She's also an aspiring novelist, but all her manuscripts have been rejected.
Her love life isn't any better. She's the object of the affection for the caddish Jack Wickham (Henry Maguire) and a creepy returned missionary (Hubbel Palmer), but she finds herself drawn to Will Darcy (Orlando Seale), a British businessman who she believes holds her in contempt.
What she doesn't know is that he's interested in her as well. But the acerbic Darcy just isn't good at expressing his feelings, especially with the highly opinionated Elizabeth.
Meanwhile, her roommates (Lucila Sola, Kelly Stables) have their own romantic foibles to contend with.
Director Andrew Black (who had an award-winning short, "The Snell Show," at the Slamdance Film Festival) does manage to bring some energy to this production. But the script (co-written by producer Jason Faller and two others) is more concerned with silly throwaway bits than it is with telling a story. And Heskin's Elizabeth just isn't very likable. In fact, as brusque as she is, it's a wonder Seale's considerably more appealing Darcy has any interest in her. And none of the supporting cast members really gets to do much.
"Pride & Prejudice" is rated PG for a couple of scenes of slapstick violence (including fisticuffs, mostly overheard) and some mildly racy innuendo. Running time: 103 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com