The Reel Critic BRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Author: STEPHANIE DOSCH

I know what you're thinking. "Oh great, not another stupid Jane Austen remake." Or perhaps "I hate Jane Austen." Or maybe you're of the "I love Jane Austen!" school of thought. Any way you look at it, there is a little something for everyone in Gurinder Chadha's latest movie, "Bride & Prejudice."

I'm a Jane Austen lover myself, and probably cannot count the number of times I've watched the six-hour A&E production (Ooh, when Mr. Darcy jumps into that lake...girls, you know what I'm talking about!). So needless to say, I was excited when I heard about this newest version of her timeless tale, by the director of "Bend It Like Beckham," another of my much loved movies.

My knowledge of Pride and Prejudice ("Jane Austen and Film" was my first-year seminar - do we think I have a problem here?) was in some ways a hindrance to my enjoyment of "Bride & Prejudice." Chadha and writer Paul Mayeda Berges did an excellent job of updating the story, but of course they had to change some things. I went into the movie expecting a completely faithful remake, but of course, it is impossible to do in two hours what can be done in six.

"Queen of Bollywood" Aishwarya Rai plays Lalita Bakshi, a beautiful, intelligent and progressive Indian woman who meets American hotel tycoon Will Darcy (Martin Henderson) when he comes to India with his friend for a wedding. Lalita challenges her country's traditions - and her mother's plans - when she announces that she will marry for love. The headstrong Lalita and arrogant Darcy clash on just about everything but somehow can't stop thinking about each other. Two of Lalita's suitors - the cute but shady English backpacker Johnny Whickam (Daniel Gillies) and Mrs. Bakshi's choice, Mr. Kholi, an Indian accountant living in Los Angeles - come between the lovers, however, creating tension, misunderstanding and plenty of comedy

The result is a gloriously colorful, raucously musical, East-meets-West version of the story. Some of the dance routines and song lyrics are a little cheesy (though Ashanti's number and some of the Bhangra music are pretty hot), but instead of detracting from the film they only add to the delicious "Bollywoodness" of it. Most of the actors are A-list stars in India, and Aishwarya Rai pulls off her first English-speaking role beautifully. Nitin Chandra Ganatra, who plays Mr. Kholi, steals the show with his hilarious performance, and Nadira Babbar is great as the busybody matchmaker Mrs. Bakshi.

"Bride & Prejudice," as I learned, requires an open mind to be fully enjoyed. Purists to Austen's original work will find many discrepancies, and be forewarned that this is not "Bend it Like Beckham." It is two very fun hours, a refreshing new spin on the typical ho-hum romantic comedy and an exciting musical all wrapped up into a rainbow-colored gem of a movie.