A brand new miniseries begins! Join Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia as they embark on an exploration of the films of director Joe Wright — and they’re starting with the film that put him on the map: Pride & Prejudice (2005).
This landmark adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel blends traditional period drama aesthetics with bold directorial flair — including sweeping tracking shots, striking natural light, and one incredibly memorable hand flex. Bobby and Nick discuss how Wright’s debut immediately distinguished him as a singular filmmaker, and how his interpretation of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy differs from those that came before.
They also break down the pitch-perfect performances from Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, the balance between cinematic spectacle and emotional intimacy, and how Pride & Prejudice signaled the start of one of the most stylistically adventurous careers in modern British cinema.
Topics Covered:
Joe Wright’s debut and his arrival as a distinct visual stylist
Keira Knightley’s take on Elizabeth Bennet and how it reframes the character
The romantic power of restraint, eye contact, and that hand flex
Dario Marianelli’s score and the film’s painterly aesthetic
How this version compares to other Austen adaptations
Setting the stage for the rest of Wright’s filmography
Chapter Timecodes:
00:20 – Intro to Joe Wright and this miniseries
08:50 – The legacy of Austen adaptations
18:35 – Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen: iconic casting
34:20 – Visual language: tracking shots, candlelight, and naturalism
51:05 – Favorite moments and scenes
1:05:20 – Wright’s tone, pacing, and confidence as a first-time director
1:20:20 – What Pride & Prejudice tells us about Joe Wright’s future work
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