Bride and Prejudice

2005

Bride and Prejudice

Critics Consensus

A colorful and energetic adaptation of Austen's classic.

64%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 134

70%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 79,122
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Movie Info

The very British sensibilities of Jane Austen are introduced to the exotic flavors of the Bollywood musical in this romantic comedy with songs from the director of Bend It Like Beckham, Gurinder Chadha. Lalita Bakshi (Aishwarya Rai) is the lovely and eligible daughter of her socially ambitious mother and father (Nadira Babbar and Anupam Kher). Mother and father want to be sure that Lalita, the most beautiful of their four daughters, settles down with a man worthy of her, but she has proven resistant to matchmaking, announcing that she will choose her own husband, and will choose him for love. While mother is keen on the profoundly annoying Kholi (Nitin Chandra Ganatra), Lalita has had her head turned by a handsome vagabond from England, Johnny Wickham (Daniel Gilles). But while attending the wedding of a friend, Lalita meets Will Darcy (Martin Henderson), a college buddy of family friend Raj (Naveen Andrews) who is the son of a wealthy hotel magnate. Lalita finds that Will makes a strong impression on her -- she can't stand him, but she also can't get him out of her mind. Will feels the same way about her, and as they inadvertently chase one another over three continents, will morbid fascination grow into true love? Bride and Prejudice marked the first English-speaking role for Aishwarya Rai, who had firmly established herself as India's leading female star when this film was made. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Cast

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
as Lalita Bakshi
Martin Henderson
as William Darcy
Daniel Gillies
as Johnny Wickham
Naveen Andrews
as Balraj
Namrata Shirodkar
as Jaya Bakshi
Indira Varma
as Kiran
Nadira Babbar
as Manorama Bakshi
Anupam Kher
as Chaman Bakshi
Meghna Kothari
as Maya Bakshi
Peeya Rai Chowdhary
as Lakhi Bakshi
Alexis Bledel
as Georgina 'Georgie' Darcy
Marsha Mason
as Catherine Darcy
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News & Interviews for Bride and Prejudice

Trailer Bulletin: The Sentinel
"Mistress of Spices" for McDermott, Rai
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Critic Reviews for Bride and Prejudice

All Critics (134) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (86) | Rotten (48)

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Audience Reviews for Bride and Prejudice

  • Jun 24, 2013
    Passable entertainment although you always find it curious that it is the white guy who is treasured above all others.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Jul 14, 2010
    Yeah just no. Full review later.
    Thomas B Super Reviewer
  • Oct 14, 2009
    I've always had a strange affinity for "Bollywood" pictures. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this musical take on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." All of the traditional elements are here (save the language; it's one of the few good "Bollywood" movies that's entirely in English, and works just as well as it does in Hindi); large-scale dance numbers (one of which reportedly took six full days to shoot!), the likes of which even Busby Berkley could never have imagined, a "guest star" singer (in this case, Ashanti) with which the rest of the cast never interacts, clever comedy, and (of course) color, color, color! But fans of the Austen novel can rejoice; even though the story has been adapted to the times and the genre, all of the essential themes are here (as are most of the characters, who are given similar Indian names, such as "Lalita" for Lizzy, "Kholi" for Mr. Collins, "Jaya" for Jane, etc.). The result is a match made in cinema heaven. If you love "Bollywood" films, grand musicals, colorful cinematography, intricate love stories (though it's too bad that Indian taboo prevents us from seeing anybody kiss), the beautiful Aishwarya Rai, or would just like to see the actor who plays Sayid on "Lost" sing and dance (both of which he does very well, actually), then I can fully recommend this film.
    Buddy A Super Reviewer
  • May 15, 2008
    Since I am familiar with "Pride and Prejudice" I already knew what was going to happen in this one but it was still fun seeing the spectacle. My favorite parts were the dancing and the songs "Punjabi Wedding Song," and "Marriage Has Come To Town" but especially "No Life Without Wife" because it's soooo funny! I love the lyrics "I just want a man who gives some back , who talks to me and not my rack"!
    Dannielle A Super Reviewer
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