22 | March | 2026 | Kevin Barrett's Blog

Archive for March 22nd, 2026

Blooming Update

Posted in Family and Friends, Family History, General Comments, Pictures, tagged Backyard Images, Daffodils, Family Photos, General Comments, Images, Neighbor's Lilacs, Picture of Hil, Pictures of Backyard Flowers, Tulips on March 22, 2026| 2 Comments »

I mentioned some time back that we’d planted about 150 tulip and daffodil bulbs late last year and we were waiting for the results. Well, here’s some images from the backyard and side of our house…


Flower Run Back Yard Fence Facing North	Flower Run Back Yard Fence Facing South


Chinese Warriors Near Bush and Pot	Hil Hiding Behind A Fern


Flower Run Side of House Fence Facing East	A Better Pict of Our Neighbor’s Lilac Tree (it smells terrific!)

Home is where your heart is…!!

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Click here (22 March) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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It Seems I Am Over-ruled…

Posted in General Comments, Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, tagged Brenda Blethyn, Carey Mulligan, Caroline Bingley, Charlotte Lucas, Claudie Blakley, Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Bennet, General Comments, Highly Recommended Movie, Jane Bennet, Jena Malone, Joe Wright, Judi Dench, Keira Knightley, Kelly Reilly, Kitty Bennet, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Lydia Bennet, Mary Bennet, Matthew Macfadyen, Movie Reviews, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Collins, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Wickham, Mrs. Bennet, Pride & Prejudice” (2005) — movie review, Reviews, Rosamund Pike, Rupert Friend, Simon Woods, Talulah Riley, Tom Hollander on March 22, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“Pride & Prejudice” (2005) — movie review
Today’s review is for the 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, “Pride & Prejudice” (2005), directed by Joe Wright and starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet, the sharp-eyed second daughter who refuses to settle; Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy, the stiff, socially awkward, secretly decent rich guy; Rosamund Pike as Jane Bennet, the kind, beautiful eldest sister; Jena Malone as Lydia Bennet, the wild youngest sister; Carey Mulligan as Kitty Bennet, the giggly / follower sister; Talulah Riley as Mary Bennet, the serious, bookish sister; Simon Woods as Mr. Bingley, Darcy’s friendly, slightly clueless best friend; Kelly Reilly as Caroline Bingley, Bingley’s snobbish, judgmental sister; Rupert Friend as Mr. Wickham, the charming cadd who runs off with Lydia; Donald Sutherland as Mr. Bennet, the dry, quietly loving father; Brenda Blethyn as Mrs. Bennet, the anxious, marriage-obsessed mother; Tom Hollander as Mr. Collins, the painfully awkward cousin, who is due to inherit the Bennet home on Mr. Bennet’s death; Judi Dench as Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Darcy’s aristocratic dragon aunt; and Claudie Blakley as Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth’s practical friend who chooses the security of marriage to Mr. Collins over romance.

Background: I’ve seen this movie multiple times now and I still enjoy it so much I’ve now read the book and purchased and viewed multiple versions / adaptations of this story. (Full Disclosure: I watch this version every time I watch a different version and while this remains my favorite, I do see the strengths of many of the other adaptations.) My first review of this film was back in November of 2011 when I was doing single paragraph reviews (review here). This was Joe Wright’s first feature film, and it ended up earning four Oscar nominations — Best Actress (Knightley), Best Original Score, Best Art Direction, and Best Costume Design. The chemistry between Knightley and Macfadyen really makes this film version, and the little period details (muddy hems, cluttered rooms, house staff smoothing tablecloths) make the world feel real and lived in (IMHO).

Plot: Elizabeth Bennet lives with her four sisters and anxious mother in a country household where property and marriage are the main paths to security. When Mr. Bingley arrives in the neighborhood and falls for Jane, his friend Mr. Darcy manages to insult Elizabeth almost immediately. Wickham, a charming militia officer, adds fuel to the fire by hinting at past wrongs done by Darcy. Meanwhile, Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth, gets (painfully) rejected, and then marries her friend Charlotte. Elizabeth later encounters Darcy again at Lady Catherine’s estate, where he blurts out a proposal that is while heartfelt equally insulting. She turns him down, only to learn later — through his letter — that Wickham is not the victim he pretends to be. Things come to a head when Lydia runs off with Wickham, threatening the family’s reputation. Darcy quietly steps in to fix the situation. By the time everyone returns home, Elizabeth has seen Darcy’s true character, and the two finally meet in the middle and profess love.

So, is this movie any good? How’s the acting? The filming / FX? Any problems? And, did I enjoy the film? Short answers: Yes; excellent; beautiful and grounded; a few small issues; absolutely yes.

Any good? Yes. It’s one of the most re-watchable period films I own. The story moves quickly without feeling rushed, and the emotional beats land. The movie keeps the humor, the class tension, and the slow-burn romance without getting stuffy.

Acting: Knightley brings energy and intelligence to Elizabeth, and Macfadyen’s awkward, tightly wound Darcy works perfectly opposite her. The younger sisters each feel distinct, Charlotte’s choice makes sense, and Wickham is exactly the kind of smooth-talking problem Lydia would fall for. Dench, Hollander, and Sutherland all add weight in their own ways. (Sutherland is my favorite character of the three, but Hollander is thoroughly / convincingly obsequious in his role.)

Filming / FX: No big FX here, just beautiful cinematography and great production design. Natural light, long takes, muddy fields, cluttered rooms — it all feels / looks real. The score fits the tone without overwhelming anything.

Problems: If you’re attached to the longer BBC version (which I have also watched multiple times), this one may feel compressed. LoL… Some viewers may object to the exclusion of the Darcy lake-swim / wet shirt scene (in the BBC version) which isn’t in this version. A few other transitions are also quick, and the movie leans more romantic than the fuller versions. Nothing major, though.

Did I enjoy the film? Yes. This film is a comfort watch for me and I go back to it (or one of its other versions or related films) almost yearly. I enjoy the characters, the humor, the awkwardness, and the slow shift in how Elizabeth and Darcy see each other.

Final Recommendation: High recommendation. The Oscar nominations were well deserved, and the film holds up beautifully. If you like Austen, period dramas, or just a well-acted romance, this is an easy pick. This “Pride & Prejudice” remains my favorite version / adaptation.

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Click here (22 March) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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A Crushing Weight (By Whatever Name)

Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Philosophy, Quotes, John Stuart Mill, Despotism, Will Of God, Injunctions on March 22, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Whatever crushes individuality is despotism, by whatever name it may be called and whether it professes to be enforcing the will of God or the injunctions of men.

— John Stuart Mill

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Click here (22 March) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.