Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is one of the most treasured books in the English language – and with good reason. Its text is rich with sharp humor and a deep satire of humanity that underlies the whole novel and livens what are already powerfully drawn characters. Yes, Pride and Prejudice is, in no uncertain terms, a masterpiece of literature. Pride and Prejudice on the other hand, is really more of a “piece”. We lose all and any sense of masterfulness in the updated comedy, but darn it if it’s still not a heck of good time.

Pride and Prejudice: A Latter-day Comedy is funny, fun and even kinda romantic. The update is reminiscent of Clueless; in fact, the pastel pallet of the art direction and Elizabeth’s cute, blond personality make it impossible not to compare to Clueless. But Pride has its own twist in that it’s also an LDS setting. It’s never explicitly Mormon, but multiple references to things such The Ensign, Sacrament Meeting and the Provo setting make it easily clear. And it works well. Pride and Prejudice may be the best in the LDS genre to date at including the LDS audience without setting a tone that might ostracize non-Mormons.

The story is worked out by making the Bennett sisters, not all sisters here, actually roommates in Provo. Jane (Lucila Sola) is actually Argentinean and in love with Charles Bingley (Ben Gourley); Lydia (Kelly Stables) is the worldly, bossy sister to Kitty (Amber Hamilton), who does what she’s told; and Elizabeth (Kam Heskin), who apparently has naturally blond curls, is struggling to fight off Jack Wickham (Henry Maguire), who has his issues, Collins (Hubbel Palmer), who is constantly proposing, and Darcy (Orlando Seale), Charles’ rich British friend who runs his own publishing company.

The story follows a general outline of the novel. Elizabeth and Darcy gradually overcome their initial distaste for each other and Elizabeth discovers that Jack has a dark background – just as he runs off to marry Lydia in Las Vegas. Darcy comes in to save the day and everything turns out happy. Even though most of the literary genius of its origin is lost, Pride and Prejudice still succeeds because of its cuteness. The actors are cute, the characters are cute, the costumes and sets are cute and the story overall is one where cuteness is the whole point.

On the other hand, Pride does manage to get in a few things, though subtle and brief, about the nature of its title. The vanity of the “Bennett” sisters is fairly well captured, though rather harmlessly. Even better is a book featured throughout the film called “The Pink Bible”, whose instructions on catching men say more about young women then the men it’s describing.

Pride and Prejudice has its technical problems – some bad lighting, some awkward acting and a handful of cases where the dialogue needed some tuning, but it’s generally overlookable. Pride is sweet, innocent and enjoyable. Though the book provided us with a substantial meal, this adaptation offers us dessert. It’s a light and fluffy confection – but it tastes good.

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