PRIDE & PREJUDICE
Simply sublime: Austen's virtues shine in a witty, uplifting romance.
Should You Watch It?
Yes. This is a magnificently accomplished, thoroughly engaging version of Jane Austen’s beloved novel. It is beautifully done, incredibly witty and funny, and emotionally powerful enough to become profoundly sad before arriving at a wonderfully rewarding and uplifting ending.
The film strongly extols love, charity, forgiveness, reconciliation, and the pursuit of goodness. Its romantic conflict gives those virtues room to work: pride and prejudice are challenged, misunderstandings are corrected, and generosity matters.
The content concerns are light, while the moral vision is unusually strong. If your family includes older children and adults who enjoy thoughtful romance, WORTH THE TRIP is the clear answer.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIn rural England around the turn of the 19th century, Elizabeth Bennet is the second eldest of five sisters. Her mother is eager to see the daughters married, especially after the wealthy Mr. Bingley takes up residence nearby and becomes interested in Jane, Elizabeth’s older sister.
Bingley’s friend, the proud and seemingly dour Mr. Darcy, clashes with Elizabeth. As relationships form and misunderstandings mount, Elizabeth and Darcy must confront what they think they know about one another.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this film is an outstanding achievement, and the source review calls it an instant masterpiece. Director Joe Wright’s version is beautifully done, entertaining, funny, and emotionally powerful.
The movie thoroughly engages the viewer. Its wit and humor give way to genuine sadness as disagreements grow, while the comedy’s ending is wonderfully rewarding, totally uplifting, and emotionally profound. It is the kind of movie viewers may not want to see come to an end.
The Worldview
The film presents a very strong moral worldview in which Christian virtues such as love, charity, forgiveness, and reconciliation overcome pride and prejudice. It clearly shows that being a good and generous person is an extremely worthy pursuit.
The story is set in a Christian period, and its central romantic conflict is shaped by moral growth rather than attraction alone. Elizabeth learns that Mr. Darcy is not only a good match for her but also a gentleman of the highest Christian virtue. The film also includes a weak clergyman in a comical subplot involving a mean aristocrat who has become his harsh patron.
The film’s longing for love and reconciliation aligns with Scripture’s description of love: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong moral worldview, set in a Christian period where biblical virtues and Christian charity are extolled, although a weak clergyman is part of a comical subplot involving a mean aristocrat who has become his harsh patron; one or two light obscenities and three light exclamatory profanities; no violence; no sex scenes, but husband and wife kiss passionately on their honeymoon; no nudity; light alcohol use; no smoking; and, pride and prejudice.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
How do pride and prejudice distort the way people see one another? What helps us replace quick judgments with charity?
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 · James 1:19The film praises forgiveness and reconciliation. What does genuine forgiveness require, and how is it different from pretending nothing happened?
Ephesians 4:31–32 · Colossians 3:12–13Why does the story present being a good and generous person as a worthy pursuit? How can your family practice generosity this week?
Galatians 6:9–10 · 2 Corinthians 9:7How can love and integrity guide a person when wealth, status, or marriage prospects create pressure?
Micah 6:8 · Philippians 2:3–4The Final Word
This is a witty, beautiful, emotionally powerful romance with a strong moral heart. Its light content concerns are outweighed by its celebration of love, charity, forgiveness, and reconciliation. For older children and adults, the answer is simple: WORTH THE TRIP.
