Movie review – “Bride and Prejudice” (2004) ***

An attempt to make a Bollywood movie that crossed over to the West. It would seem to be a half-success – I couldn’t quite put my finger on what was wrong, the casting isn’t quite 100% or something. Aishwarya Rai is very beautiful as Elizabeth Bennett – perhaps too beautiful, she lacks a little spark; Martin Henderson is handsome Darcy, though again without a twinkle. It is still bright, colourful and very entertaining, and Jane Austen adapts brilliantly to Indian culture. Gurinder Chadha likes a bare chest and the blokes here are pretty thoroughly exploited. The supporting cast are all fine and I didn’t mind the tunes.