So I was prejudiced. I went to the cinema completely convinced this new adaptation of my favourite book was going to be horrible and I have to admit... it's not. But it isn't any good either.

I can't help it if I'm comparing it directly to the 1995 BBC series, specially since I've seen it a million times and know it almost by heart. And there is too much for the film to live up to. Everyone in the supporting cast, which includes names such as Donald Sutherland, Brenda Blethyn and Judy Dench, comes up with the goods. Even if they are not better than the original cast, they're certainly not worse.

The same thing can't be said of the lead roles. Keira Nightley managed to make her character look and sound as silly as the younger sisters, and in direct opposition to Jennifer Ehle's excellent portrayal of the sensible and intelligent Lizzy Bennet, she doesn't know the meaning of the word subtle. Matthew Macfadyen, on the other end of the scale, also confuses subtlety with using the same stony-faced-intense-looking expression thoughout the whole film, with no variation whatsoever. Instead of Colin Firth's ambiguity of being either shy or rude, Macfadyen's Darcy is both very rude and retardedly shy. Duh!

But for me, the biggest failing of this film is the script. Jane Austen's text was dumbed down and managed to lose most of it's punch. And in order to fit it all in two hours, the delivery was extremely rushed. The so important proposal scene , for example, is totally ruined by the main characters speaking so fast you barely manage to understand, let alone make sense of what's being said.

Sure, I'm biased, and maybe I'm being too harsh. But even if I look at it as just another enjoyable romantic comedy, I have to ask: Where is the snog at the end? I want my popcorn money back!