Three Act Structure: Pride and Prejudice (2005)

The first act of the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice introduces the characters of Elizabeth Bennet, her family, Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley, and Mr. Darcy. We see that they live in the late 1700s/early 1800s and that Elizabeth's family is relying on the girls getting married because of their poor economic situation. In contrast, Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley, and Mr. Darcy are very wealthy. The first act develops a relationship between Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley, which makes it look like they might get married. Elizabeth dislikes Mr. Darcy because of his seemingly pompous attitude. Despite this, Elizabeth's family is excited by the possibility of Jane's marriage. The first plot point happens at a ball that Mr. Bingley gives. While dancing, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have a heated debate about his actions toward a mutual acquaintance, Mr. Wickham. This argument intensifies Elizabeth's dislike of Mr. Darcy, but we can see that Mr. Darcy is in love with Elizabeth. This confrontation leaves the viewer wondering who is right about the Mr. Wickham situation, but the main "complication" is the relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. The viewer wonders if the two characters will resolve their differences. This introductory act takes longer than thirty minutes because there is so much to introduce and develop.

In the beginning of the second act, we find out that Mr. Bingley and company have gone to London for an indefinite amount of time. Jane and her family are devastated that Mr. Bingley has left without any warning. Elizabeth blames Mr. Darcy, believing that he didn't want Mr. Bingley and Jane to marry because of their difference in wealth. In a later visit with Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth finds out that this it true. This scene is a "mini-climax"; Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, proclaiming that he loves her. However, Elizabeth only gets mad at him and finds out that he did indeed deter Mr. Bingley from staying with Jane. After this scene we find out that Mr. Darcy did not act cruelly toward Mr. Wickham as Elizabeth had originally thought; Mr. Wickham was totally to blame. This answers one question that act one has raised. This discovery also starts to change Elizabeth's mind about Mr. Darcy, as do various other events having to do with Mr. Darcy, including him encouraging Mr. Bingley to finally propose to Jane. At the end of act two, we have the second plot point where Mr. Darcy's aunt accuses Elizabeth of being engaged to Mr. Darcy. This event seems to further complicate the relationship between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, as we now know that a marriage between them would be opposed. By now, though, we know that Elizabeth loves Mr. Darcy and would marry him if he asked her again. This answers the other question raised in the first act and provides a transition to the third and final act.

The third act begins when Mr. Darcy finds Elizabeth walking in a field and again proposes to her. We can see here that Elizabeth's feelings have totally changed - that she has fallen in love with Mr. Darcy. She accepts his proposal, which makes up the resolution to the original "complication"; their strained relationship. This final act is very short, less than thirty minutes. After all, there's not much more we need to know other than the fact that Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth get married.