Movie Recommendations: TV & Films starring P&P actors

If you loved and enjoyed the main and supporting cast of P&P in their Pride & Prejudice (2005) film, I'm guessing there's a good chance that you've seen and also loved their other TV and film projects they've done or also co-starred/appeared together with, right? If so, may I recommend you check out the following movies that some P&P actors have either co-starred or appeared together before, during, and after they all came to co-star and worked together for P&P movie? I've seen all of these films listed here and let me just say they were all great in these movies whether they had a cameo, small, supporting, or lead roles. I've listed the films here below and added my own reviews (with links)/commentaries, to help you out a little and give you more info to which of the films (starring our favorite P&P actors) you may be more interested in watching, buying (the DVD for, to add to your favorite films on DVD/Blu-ray collection), renting, and or streamed on netflix/online.

The following P&P actors are: Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, Carey Mulligan, Rupert Friend, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland, Judi Dench, Tom Hollander, Simon Woods, Kelly Reilly, Claudie Blakley, and P&P director Joe Wright

Pre-P&P 2005 movie

The Libertine (2004) - Rosamund Pike, Tom Hollander, Kelly Reilly, Rupert Friend

Synopsis
The story of John Wilmot, a.k.a. the Earl of Rochester, a 17th century poet who famously drank and debauched his way to an early grave, only to earn posthumous critical acclaim for his life's work.

My commentary of this film: This movie was interestingly odd, funny, and pretty good. Great cast! Johnny Depp in his typical, but not-so-unusual hideous role as a famous drunk, sexually active, and womanizer man, John Wilmot (whose the second earl of Rochester and a cynical poet). Four P&P 05 actors were part of the interesting supporting cast (Pre-P&P)...it was like watching P&P and Pirates movies

combine (with Johnny and P&P actors except minus Orlando Bloom, KK and MM), lol. Rosamund Pike played the character Elizabeth Malet Wilmot, the unhappy wife of John Wilmot (JD's character), whom according to her, he abducted her when she was a virgin heiress, lol. Tom Hollander (as Etherage, friend of John), Kelly Reilly (Jane, one of the women in the whorehouse, lol), and Rupert Friend (as Downs, he had quite a small role in this film)

were familiarly seen in the supporting cast that includes Samantha Morton, John Malkovich, and Jack Davenport (another Pirates actor) to name a few. While, I don't highly recommend this film for everyone as it had plenty of nudity scenes, foul language, and some rough sex scenes that may or may not suit your taste. But this film was quite good especially if you watch it mostly just for Johnny Depp and P&P actors...and watch their brilliant, individual performances (esp. RP and JD). I thought Rosamund and Johnny Depp had a much better on-screen chemistry here than Keira and Johnny ever did in Pirates movies...that's because they played husband and wife...and they do looked like one. Rosamund's big argument scene towards the end with JD was my favorite scene of this brilliantly acted and odd film.

Check it out and watch the amazing clip below...

[source: TheJohannabarker]

RP was so brilliant in that scene! What a terrific and superb performance from Rosamund (and JD too)! I loved that she couldn't take it no more and was pissed and angry at the now disable and very ill John (it was so painful to see JD's dying character in this scene, but he was brilliant here as does RP...loved the angry side of her!) for always making her "ever his last resort" when his mistresses left him and that she yelled at him (or scolded him) to make sense out of his drunkin' and womanizing ways. Yet, she still loved and forgave him and didn't want him to die. This scene was so sad and touching. It got me teary-eyed. She was very believable and quite impressive in that scene! I must say, this scene was her best performance of all the movies (which she was always great) I've ever seen her in (I would have loved to have seen her more in this movie though)...thus far, in my opinion. After all, it won her a much deserved Best Supporting Actress award at the British Independent Film Awards in 2005.

Cold Mountain (2003) - Donald Sutherland, Jena Malone

Synopsis
In the waning days of the American Civil War, a wounded soldier (Law) embarks on a perilous journey back home to Cold Mountain, North Carolina to reunite with his sweetheart (Kidman). Based on the novel by Charles Frazier.

My Commentary: I thought this was a very good period drama. Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellwegger were the female leads and carried this movie on their own. Renee Z. won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress (she should've won too for Chicago) and very deserving as she was pretty good here. Her character was funny too and and made me laughed. I thought she was so much better here than Nicole Kidman

who played the main lead character opposite Jude Law. Two P&P 05

actors were in a small, yet very interesting supporting roles here as Donald Sutherland (Mr. Bennet) played as Reverend Munroe (unfortunately, I don't remember his character's scenes here, lol) and Jena Malone (Lydia Bennet) played the ferry girl (she had a cameo role here pre-Lydia Bennet, lol...check out her only scene in the video clip below...poor ferry girl!..). Natalie Portman was also part of the amazing and talented supporting cast. Great casting and the performances were brilliant in this film especially RZ.

Watch Jena Malone as the ferry girl...

[source: oOog4eoOo]

Die Another Day (2002) - Judi Dench, Rosamund Pike

Synopsis
James Bond is sent to investigate the connection between a North Korean terrorist and a diamond mogul who is funding the development of an international space weapon.

My Commentary: I thought this Bond film was good, but not a great as the recent Bond films with Daniel Craig as James Bond in both Casino Royale and Quantum Solace (with Lost in Austen's Gemma Arterton). What made me interested in watching this film though was the two P&P 05 actresses: Rosamund Pike (Jane Bennet) as the icy Miranda Frost (she was pretty good here and I was hoping she wasn't the bad girl and that her character didn't .... (not to spoil you) at the end, lol. I thought she was much better here than Halle Berry...) and Judi Dench (Lady Catherine) as the Bond regular, Agent M...in the same movie....pre-P&P too...Interesting too, they switched roles...JD plays the good character while RP plays the bad one...so opposite from their P&P roles.

Check out Rosamund Pike's Miranda Frost clips/scenes including a scene with Judi Dench's agent M at the beginning below...

[source: jamesbonddieaday]

Gosford Park (2001) - Tom Hollander, Claudie Blakley

Synopsis
Multiple storylined drama set in 1932, showing the lives of upstairs guest and downstairs servants at a party in a country house in England.

My Commentary:
One of the films with a huge ensemble cast of who's who in British actors (ie. Helen Mirren, Maggie Smith, Kristin Scott-Thomas, Michael Gambon, Clive Owen, and many more including two P&P 05 actors Tom Hollander and Claudie Blakley...pre-P&P movie...interesting Mr. & Mrs. Collins in this movie, lol) and one very familiar Hollywood actor Ryan Phillippe (I've read on IMDB board for GP that originally, this was supposed to be Jude Law, but he left just before filming started and was replaced by RP at the last minute). Directed by Robert Altman (known for his one-shot tracking on his films). Nominated for about 6-7 Oscars including Best Picture and won Best Screenplay. One of the best period films, though if you're not into this type of film, even with outstanding ensemble cast, you'll be bored. Well, if you don't pay attention that is 'cause this film commands your attention or you'll be lost, lol.

Wives and Daughters (1999) - Rosamund Pike, Tom Hollander, Penelope Wilton

Synopsis
Elizabeth Gaskell's enchanting tale of romance, scandal, and intrigue in a gossipy English town.

My Commentary: This was a pretty good miniseries. I quite enjoyed watching it. Four P&P actors (Three of them from P&P 05 and one from P&P 95) co-starred in this BBC miniseries along with Matthew

Macfadyen's wife, actress Keeley Hawes. Not to mention, the screenwriter was Andrew Davies (same writer who wrote the script for P&P '95). Great cast! Interesting too that Penelope Wilton (P&P 05's Mrs. Gardiner) as Mrs. Hamley played as Tom Hollander's (P&P 05's Mr. Collins) Osbourne Hamley's mother in W&D. They both did a great job (especially TH playing a dramatic role for a change) with all their scenes and episodes they appeared in as does MM's wife Keeley Hawes as Cynthia Kirkpatrick, the protagonist Molly Gibson's step-sister. Also, the actress, Justin Wadell, who played the lead character, Molly Gibson, was in the Jane Austen adapted film, 1999's Mansfield Park as Julia Bertram. And of course, we got Rosamund Pike (P&P 05's Jane Bennet) as Lady Harriet Cumnor daughter of Lady Cumnor played by Barbara Leigh-Hunt (P&P '95's Lady Catherine...she still acts like Lady C in this one too as she plays another snob Lady Cumnor, lol)  So, we got P&P and MP actors in this miniseries. I thought that was very cool and interesting.

Speaking of Rosamund Pike, she was really good here despite playing a small supporting role. She appeared in all 4 episodes, but her scenes were spread out and when you see her Lady Harriet character, you wish she appeared more or has more screen time than what you have seen her. She was just a fun and interesting character to see. RP really is beautiful and has this on-screen appeal to her that you wonder why she wasn't in more leading roles. She really commands your attention. I liked her character more than the leads (Molly and Cynthia), lol. I wanted to see more of her whenever she's not in a scene or on-screen. Interestingly, my favorite line of her Lady Harriet character was also the same line she said in her Jane Bennet character in P&P, "why ever not?" I had to laugh the first time I heard her say that line 'cause she said it 6 years later in P&P movie, lol.


Check out and watch her best scenes in W&D below (btw, look for the "why ever not?" line in the first video as Molly Gibson rides in Lady Harriet's carriage for a ride and a chat starting at 4:23 and she said the line starting at 6:19)...

[source: MISSLORELY]

  

[source: MISSLORELY]

Another nice ball scene with RP's Lady Harriet...watch out for her funny look and costumes in this miniseries, lol. Better yet, you can watch all 4 episodes of the miniseries in YT with Rosamund Pike, Tom Hollander, and Penelope Wilton.

During P&P 2005 movie

Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005) - Judi Dench, Kelly Reilly

Synopsis
Laura Henderson buys an old London theater and opens it up as the Windmill, a performance hall which goes down in history for, among other things, its all-nude revues.

My Commentary:
Just saw this movie recently and I thought it was good. Two wonderful and very talented P&P 05 actors co-starred in this film, Judi Dench (Lady Catherine) and Kelly Reilly (Caroline Bingley). They were both pretty good here. Kelly Reilly was interesting, though you may

be surprised to see her somewhat in the nude  (or maybe not if you've seen The Libertine first, lol..) here. You'll see what I mean when you see it, lol. Judi Dench earned an Oscar Nomination for Best Actress performance here and she competed against former P&P co-star Keira Knightley with her own Oscar Nomination for Pride & Prejudice, but both lost to Reese Witherspoon (Walk The Line). Kelly Reilly, on the other hand, won two awards for Best Newcomer (Empire and London Critics Circle Awards).


Post P&P 2005 movie

The Pillars of the Earth (2010) - Matthew Macfadyen, Donald Sutherland

Synopsis
the epic tale of passion and greed begins when a mysterious secret disrupts the succession to the English crown and an unlikely member of King Henry's family takes the throne.

Based on the best selling novel by Ken Follett, now an 8-part mini series with Pride & Prejudice actors Matthew Macfadyen and Donald Sutherland co-starring along with a huge ensemble cast.


My Commentary: Matthew Macfadyen as Prior Phillip and Donald Sutherland as Bartholemew were both pretty good,  I've seen the first two episodes at Starz' Screening Room...unfortunately, I neither have Starz channel nor NetFlix...so I'll have to wait for the DVD release to see the rest, which is fine with me, 'cause with the DVD, I can watch the whole series uninterrupted and commercial-free. Also, from the first two really good episodes I've seen, I'm already liking this series... Stay tune for an update here (to add to this post) on this miniseries as soon as the DVD is released and I get my own copy of it and see it, lol.

Return to Cranford (2010) - Judi Dench, Claudie Blakley

Synopsis
The Emmy-nominated drama about a small English village in 1842 on the brink of change — where some find romance and opportunity, and others fear the breakdown of social order.


My Commentary:
I must admit, I don't remember much of this one...other than this was a good follow up to the first Cranford miniseries...the rest, unfortunately, is a blur...lol. I'll have to check this out and see this series again (perhaps on YT, if someone uploaded this series like other miniseries that was shown on PBS Masterpiece), we shall see...right now, I don't have much time (or the patience) to sit through and watch over 3 hours long of films or a miniseries like this...I'll update this post though when I do get to re-watch this miniseries.

An Education (2009) - Carey Mulligan, Rosamund Pike

Synopsis
A coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in 1960s suburban London, and how her life changes with the arrival of a playboy nearly twice her age.

My Commentary:
I thought this was a pretty good movie. Carey Mulligan's first major role that got her critical rave reviews, BAFTA win (for Best Actress), and both Golden Globe and Oscar nominations. She co-starred with Rosamund Pike (aka

big sis Jane Bennet of their previous film, P&P), who got rave reviews herself with her supporting role. RP was funny here and jokes about CM's Jenny character. Ironically Rosamund Pike, whose ditzy blonde character, Helen made fun of Jenny in this film for speaking in and being fond of French, reading/studying English Lit and was headed for Oxford, was pretty similar (to Carey Mulligan's character Jenny) in real life, in a way that she...get this...speaks French (and German too), plays cello (and piano as well) and graduated in Oxford University (majored in English Literature). It's very interesting that Rosamund's character actually made fun of her real-life self...I didn't noticed that till after I read her mini biography on imdb, lol. She's a very intelligent and multi-talented woman, indeed.

Check out and watch this clip with Kitty and Jane Bennet...err...Carey Mulligan and Rosamund Pike as Jenny and Helen. They were getting ready to go to Oxford. One of my favorite scenes of them together in this film.

[source: mitsymagicful]

 
Here's part of my...

Film Review: An Education

An Education was a fantastic film. The story was very well-written and beautifully crafted on-screen, interestingly enough because it was adapted from a true story from a memoir written by journalist Lynn Barber.

The cinematography was impressive and the setting especially the Paris scenes were beautifully shot. Carey Mulligan was radiant and stunningly beautiful in those Paris scenes. Read my full review of An Education here! 

The Soloist (2009) - Tom Hollander, Jena Malone, director Joe Wright

Synopsis
A Los Angeles journalist befriends a homeless Julliard-trained musician, while looking for a new article for the paper.

My Commentary: Just saw this film most recently. I thought it was good, but unfortunately, not as superb and amazing as P&P and Atonement (both JW directed films)...I could see why The Soloist didn't get as much as attention as his previous two critically acclaimed and Golden Globe and Oscar nominated films. Robert Downey Jr. and especially Jamie Fox were pretty good here. Interesting cast that includes yet another P&P 05 actors...well, of course, as the director JW and some crew were also from both Joe Wright

directed (and Keira Knightley starring) films: Pride & Prejudice and Atonement...so no surprise there. Tom Hollander (Mr. Collins) was in this one as Graham Claydon. He had a small, supporting role. A random and surprise cameo though was from Jena Malone (Lydia Bennet) here as a cheery lab tech. Like in Cold Mountain, Jena appeared briefly in one scene with RDJ's character Steve Lopez and that was it, lol. Joe Wright sure loves to include his former P&P actors in every film he did after P&P movie (and I like that)...such as KK and Brenda Blethyn in Atonement, TH and JM in The Soloist, and his upcoming assassin flick, Hanna not only stars his Atonement actress, Saoirse Ronan, but also has...yes, TH part of the cast. He has worked 3 times with JW now! Back to The Soloist...this film was still good and touching though. Great acting by RDJ and Jamie Foxx as well as directing by Joe Wright. Beautiful music (of course, Oscar winner Dario Marianelli, who also did the score for both P&P and Atonement did the same here for The Soloist...I wonder if he'll do one for Hanna too, lol) and Seamus McGarvey (who was also the DP for Atonement) did great here too.

Unfortunately, I don't have clips of TH and JM in this film to share with you all...but check out the The Soloist trailer below...

[source: BrettOfWar]

Atonement (2007) - Keira Knightley, Brenda Blethyn, director Joe Wright

Synopsis
Fledgling writer Briony Tallis, as a 13-year-old, irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit. Based on the British romance novel by Ian McEwan.

My Commentary: This movie was nicely adapted into the big screen and brilliantly directed by Joe Wright. His awesome one-shot camera tracking style for this movie was very impressive esp. in the 5 and 1/2 minute long take through the Dunkirk beach scenes (much like the Ball/dance scenes in P&P). The cinematography and visual shots were beautifully shot. The music score esp. that type-writer clicking pretty much throughout the film was awesome. Dario Marianelli did a great job on the music. He should've won an Oscar too for his P&P

musical scores/composed music. Great casting choice (I noticed the casting director Jina Jay was the same person who also did the casting for Hanna, Atonement, and P&P....as well as the new Robin Hood with Russell Crowe, The Lovely Bones, one of Harry Potter films, and A Good Year...to name some awesome films...very interesting resume!...). Everyone did a great job esp. Saorsi Ronan as young Briony. She was brilliant and convincing with her role in this film. Her Oscar nomination was well-deserved. Too bad Keira Knightley (Elizabeth Bennet) as Celia Talis (Briony's older sister) had a small part in this movie. She still did great in the small role she had in this movie. James McAvoy was great as Robbie too as does Brenda Blethyn (Mrs. Bennet) as Robbie's mother, Grace Turner. Overall, this movie was as brilliantly made as the book was brilliantly written when I've read it. I enjoyed both book and its movie adaptation version. 

Read more of my Atonement Review here!

Check out and watch the extended trailer for Atonement below (listen to the beautiful and haunting Oscar winning original score by Dario Marianelli...nice to see P&P title under JW's name too...)

[source: thespiangeek]

Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End (2007) - Keira Knightley, Tom Hollander

Synopsis
Captain Barbossa, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann must sail off the edge of the map, navigate treachery and betrayal, and make their final alliances for one last decisive battle.

My Commentary: I thought the third Pirates movie was a lot better than than the second one (Dead Man's

Chest...scroll down to read my comments for below!). It was still long, but the pacing here was a lot better than the DMC. I actually liked and enjoyed this one much more than I thought (or the second one). It was nice to see Will and Elizabeth finally together too...but sad that they went away...Johhny Depp was very funny on this one especially when there were many of his Captain Jack Sparrow (like clones), lol. Still, I must say, the first POTC film remains my favorite of the 3 and wishes it didn't have any sequels. It was perfect the way it was. Like the first "The Matrix" and "The Mummy" movies (to name two)...these type of awesome films don't need sequels...but that's just my opinion, of course. I just think that when a movie was already awesome...it should be just a one-shot and no need for a not-so-good sequels to be followed up..especially if they're not as good as the first one.

Cranford (2007) - Judi Dench, Simon Woods, Claudie Blakley

Synopsis
Elizabeth Gaskell's five-part period drama which follows the small absurdities and major tragedies in the lives of the people of Cranford.

My Commentary: It was quite interesting to have seen three P&P 05 actors co-starred in Cranford, Judi Dench (Lady Catherine), Simon Woods (Mr. Bingley), and Claudie Blakley (Charlotte Lucas). Great casting and very fine acting by all 3 P&P actors! I thoroughly enjoyed watching this 5-part period drama. Simon Woods, much like his P&P's Charles Bingley character, looked handsome here...see images of his character below!

 

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) - Keira Knightley, Tom Hollander

Synopsis
Jack Sparrow races to recover the heart of Davy Jones to avoid enslaving his soul to Jones' service, as other friends and foes seek the heart for their own agenda as well.


My Commentary: I thought this second Pirates movie was too long and a bore, in my opinion. I fell asleep for the most part and woke up during the action scenes, lol. As much as I love that two P&P 05 actors Keira Knightley (Elizabeth Bennet) and Tom Hollander (Mr. Collins) were both in this film (as well as the third Pirates movie...see my commentary above ^...), I thought this film was all over the place and was

over-hyped at the the time it was released. It made a huge amount of money in the box-office, but it wasn't worth watching for me as the first Pirates of The Caribbean film (my favorite from the 3 Pirates movies with KK co-starring). Johnny Depp was still pretty good and funny as Captain Jack Sparrow in this one, but this movie was my least favorite of the 3 Pirates movies I've seen (thus far...there's a 4th one being made without KK and Orlando Bloom...I don't think I want to watch it without them...I was used to seeing them on the first 3 Pirates...). Btw, If you love POTC trilogy...ignore my comments about this second film, lol.


Ok, that wraps up this post and part 1 of my movie recs TV & Films starring our favorite P&P actors...

Next post will be about my recommendations of other films starring P&P actors...Stay tune!