My favorite movie at the moment is the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice directed by Joe Wright. I’ve only seen this movie for the first time more than a week ago (11 June 2010 to be exact) but have since watched it more than 15 times. Here is the second part of my list of top 10 favorite Mr. Darcy and Lizzie scenes in reverse order. Check out the first part here.
# 5 – Proposal at dawn
Though this must be the top favorite of a lot of Pride and Prejudice fans (after all, this was the proposal where Lizzie finally said yes), there are scenes that I enjoyed more. Of course, it’s quite hard to refuse a slightly disheveled looking Mr. Darcy saying “You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you.” though I’m not even sure if that was a stutter or if he was repeating himself for emphasis. But it was so lovely all the same, and such a perfect way to end the story.
# 4 – And so he smiles.
How can I not love the only scene where Mr. Darcy actually smiles? While Georgiana is playing so well on the pianoforte, Lizzie and the Gardiners arrive. Mr. Darcy seemed much more relaxed and open than we’ve ever seen him before, which is either because of the presence of his sister, or his growing love for Lizzie, or probably a combination of both. I particularly love how proud he seemed to be of his brother, and how so many smiling looks were exchanged between Mr. Darcy and Georgiana, Mr. Darcy and Lizzie, and Georgiana and Lizzie. Such a nice happy family-to-be.
# 3 – The most awkward call of all time
While Lizzie is settled down alone at the Collins, Mr. Darcy storms in and stands fidgeting, looking most awkward and out of his depth. He glances around with a slightly panicked expression on his face, and when it was quite obvious that Lizzie was waiting for him to say something, the only thing he could come up with is, “This is a charming home.” When he hears the arrival of Mrs. Collins, he hurriedly departs with the words, “It’s been a pleasure.” We echo Charlotte’s astonishment when she asked, “What on earth did you to do to poor Mr. Darcy?” and Lizzie replies with equal astonishment, “I have no idea.”
# 2 – Surprise, surprise
Lizzie is visiting Pemberly with her Aunt and Uncle, and she strays away accidentantally and spies Georgina in a room, playing on the pianoforte. This is interrupted by the sudden arrival of her brother, Mr. Darcy, who looks up and sees Lizzie. She tries to run, much embarassed by having been seen by Mr. Darcy in his own estate. He follows her, quite obviously very surprised (though pleased) to see her. His demeanor has already changed much from his stiff and formal attitude before, and you could see how he wanted to stay there talking to her for a longer time. However, she hurries off and turns down his offer to see her back to the village.
# 1 – “I love you. Most ardently.” (a.k.a. the trainwreck proposal)
Without a doubt, this is my favorite scene in the entire movie. Mr. Darcy proposes to Lizzie in the rain by saying that he loves her most ardently, and yet unwittingly insults her in the process. I love this intense scene so much that I better just transcribe the whole conversation here:
Mr. Darcy: Miss Elizabeth. I have struggled in vain and I can bear it no longer. These past months have been a torment. I came to Rosings with the single object of seeing you… I had to see you. I have fought against my better judgment, my family’s expectations, the inferiority of your birth by rank and circumstance. These things I am willing to put aside and ask you to end my agony.
Lizzie: I don’t understand.
Mr. Darcy: I love you. Most ardently. Please do me the honor of accepting my hand.
Lizzie: (after a pause) Sir, I appreciate the struggle you have been through, and I am very sorry to have caused you pain. Believe me, it was unconsciously done.
Mr. Darcy: Is this your reply?
Lizzie: Yes, sir.
Mr. Darcy: Are you… are you laughing at me?
Lizzie: No.
Mr. Darcy: Are you rejecting me?
Lizzie: I’m sure that the feelings which, as you’ve told me have hindered your regard, will help you in overcoming it.
Mr. Darcy: Might I ask why, with so little endeavor at civility, I am thus repulsed?
Lizzie: And I might as well enquire why, with so evident a design of insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your better judgment.
Mr. Darcy: No, believe me, I…
Lizzie: If I was uncivil, then that is some excuse. But I have other reasons, you know I have.
Mr. Darcy: What reasons?
Lizzie: Do you think anything might tempt me to accept the man who has ruined, perhaps forever, the happiness of a most beloved sister? Do you deny it, Mr. Darcy? That you separated a young couple who loved each other, exposing your friend to the censure of the world for caprice and my sister to its derision for disappointed hopes, involving them both in misery of the acutest kind?
Mr. Darcy: I do not deny it.
Lizzie: How could you do it?
Mr. Darcy: Because I believed your sister indifferent.
Lizzie: Indifferent?
Mr. Darcy: I watched them most carefully and realized his attachment was deeper than hers.
Lizzie: That’s because she’s shy!
Mr. Darcy: Bingley too is modest and was persuaded she didn’t feel strongly.
Lizzie: Because you suggested it!
Mr. Darcy: I did it for his own good!
Lizzie: My sister hardly shows her true feelings to me. (silence) I suppose you suspect that his… his fortune had some bearing…
Mr. Darcy: No, believe me I wouldn’t do your sister the dishonour, though it was suggested…
Lizzie: What was?
Mr. Darcy: (after a pause) It was made perfectly clear an advantageous marriage…
Lizzie: (enraged) Did my sister give that impression?
Mr. Darcy: No, no! No, there was, however, I have to admit, the matter of your family…
Lizzie: Our want of connection? Mr. Bingley didn’t seem to vex himself about that…
Mr. Darcy: No, it was more than that.
Lizzie: How, sir?
Mr. Darcy: It was the lack of propriety shown by your mother, your three younger sisters, and even, on occasion, your father. (thunderclaps are heard, Lizzie is obviously hurt) Forgive me. You and your sister I must exclude from this.
Lizzie: And what about Mr. Wickham?
Mr. Darcy: (moves closer) Mr. Wickham?
Lizzie: What excuse can you give your… your behavior towards him?
Mr. Darcy: You take an eager interest in that gentleman’s affairs.
Lizzie: He told of his misfortunes…
Mr. Darcy: Oh yes, his misfortunes have been very great indeed.
Lizzie: You ruined his chances and then you treat him with sarcasm.
Mr. Darcy: So this is your opinon of me? Thank you for explaining so fully. Perhaps these offences might have been overlooked had not your pride been hurt…
Lizzie: My pride?!
Mr. Darcy: …by my honesty in admitting scruples about our relationship. Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your circumstances?
Lizzie: And those are the words of a gentleman. From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry.
Mr. Darcy: (leans in, looks at Lizzie for a long time as if about to kiss her) Forgive me, madam, for taking up so much of your time.
Sunny Feels 