#unequal affections

PRIDE & PREJUDICE ㅤ{ an Unequal Affections inspired fancast }

Jessie Mei Li as Elizabeth Bennet Alfred Enoch as Mr. Darcy Sonoya Mizuno as Jane Bennet Dev Patel as Mr. Bingley Banita Sandhu as Lydia Bennet Tom Brittney as Mr. Wickham

The number of Pride and Prejudice retellings I read is probably unhealthy. But alas, it cannot be stopped. I'm addicted and will never be cured!

Anyway, this one re-imagines what would have occurred if Lizzy had accepted Darcy's original proposal at Hunsford parsonage. I liked how, even though they're engaged not long after he first asks, the main broadstrokes of Austen's novel were still there: with Darcy conquering his pride, Elizabeth willfully misunderstanding people as well as her own heart, Lady Catherine voicing her disapprobation like the meddlesome viper she is, Jane and Bingley finding their way back to each other, and Wickham, who would be better known as the Rake of Meryton, up to no good.

Elizabeth's journey from respect to like to love toward Darcy paralleled the source material well, too. It took time and evidence of real change for her to soften towards him, which I appreciated, because it stayed true to the spirit of Austen's novel.

The unequal nature of their affections made for good tension throughout the story as well. Whether he was conscious of it or not, Darcy was hanging on Elizabeth's heart ribbons in the hopes that she'd not only be his wife but love him back, and I liked the breathlessness of that while she toiled with practical vs. illogical emotions of her own. It drove the plot forward, particularly because they were stuck in and around Longbourne for most of it.

There were a few instances where I had to suspend belief - feeling like, no, Darcy and Elizabeth would not have said or done that - no way - but for the most part I enjoyed this. It was "ardent love" between them in the end, so really, what else could I ask for?

3/5 stars