One of the things I really appreciate about my parents is that they introduced my siblings and I to many classic movies and a wide range of genres instead of just the newest thing out. This includes many favorites of my mom and older sister like Pride and Prejudice. As a kid those movies definitely moved a bit slow for me, but as I got older I appreciated these movies typically labeled “chick-flicks” more and more.
My enjoyment of these movies definitely does not mean I didn’t make fun of them at times. I think that’s something my parents did well. They gave us freedom to laugh at things they thought were funny or ridiculous without throwing out the baby with the bath water. Of course, it helped that I have a uniquely cool mom and older sister who I’ve always deeply respected and loved to laugh with.
Yet, when it comes to liking these movies I’m definitely in the minority. Most guys I talk to would scoff at the idea of watching a movie like Sense and Sensibility with their wife or showing it to their sons.
Clearly, this is not a primary issue, but I think movies like Pride and Prejudice have an underestimated value that many guys miss. So, here are eight reasons why I think guys should watch Pride and Prejudice and similar movies.
It’s Funny
There is some great humor in these movies and some hilarious characters as well. Mr. Collins is a brilliantly written character whose cringeworthiness makes for some hilarious moments. Whether it’s his awkward facial expressions, gestures, or comments you will find it hard not to laugh or parody some aspect of this character with your family and friends.
It Has High-Quality dialogue.
True, Mark Twain said that every time he read the original novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen he wanted to dig her up and beat her over the head with her own shin-bone. Maybe Pride and Prejudice is lousy compared to the eloquence of Twain and his contemporaries, but compared to the conversation of most 21st century Americans riddled with crutch words such as, “like, umm, just, you know,” Pride and Prejudice stands apart as arresting and memorable.
It Displays Character
Some of the characters in the movie display a high level of virtue that is refreshing. In particular, they display humility and self-forgetfulness that is very biblical (Php. 2:1-3) but is extremely rare today and seen as archaic. Without spoiling anything, one of the characters does an extremely generous deed, but is adamant that he not receive credit for it, even when it would benefit him greatly to receive such credit.
It’s at times almost maddening to our 21st century minds to watch them not speak up to take credit for themselves, but I think that’s good medicine for us. People practically trip over themselves today trying to gain recognition for the things they’ve done, yet Scripture says to not let our right hand know what our left hand is doing, and to work to please God, not man. The characters in Pride Prejudice display such virtue even if it isn’t explicitly Christian.
It’s Modest
There aren’t many movies today that don’t have some dash of sexual immorality in them so the modesty of movies like Pride and Prejudice are much welcomed. Proverbs says not to go near the adulterous woman’s house (Prov. 5:8), and thankfully these movies don’t tread down that path.
It Encourages a Healthier Attraction to the Opposite Sex
Many modern movies simply emphasize sexual appeal. But that’s very one-dimensional. This has no doubt been influenced by Sigmund Freud’s teaching that human’s most base desire is sexual pleasure. That teaching was a driving factor in the sexual revolution and it has shaped entertainment as well. But many older movies aimed much higher with their romantic interests. It wasn’t just about sex appeal, they wanted you to be drawn to the male or female lead’s virtue, wit, humor, courage, as well as his or her appearance.”
In other words, many modern movies are written to make people think at the end of it, “I want that person’s body.” Many older movies were written to make people think, “I want to marry that person.” This is why I think it’s healthy for young boys to watch movies like this occasionally to enlarge their imagination about the type of woman they’d want to marry beyond physical attraction.
It Corrects a Lopsided View of Masculinity
In his essay The Necessity of Chivalry, C.S. Lewis argues that we need men who aren’t just obsessed with battle, blood, and iron, but are also meek. He points to Launcelot as an example. When the great Knight Launcelot died in Thomas Malory’s novel, Sir Ector said of him, “Thou wert the meekest man that ever ate in hall among ladies; and thou wert the sternest knight to thy mortal foe that ever put spear in the rest.” Lewis writes, “The knight is a man of blood and iron, a man familiar with the sight of smashed faces…” But he’s also “a gentle, modest, unobtrusive man.”
This makes a double demand on a man to be both brave and courageous, but also gentle and meek. Jesus modeled this perfectly. He flipped tables and he took the children up in his arms; he boldly pronounced the seven woes on the Pharisees and wept with Mary.
Movies like Pride and Prejudice display a courageous yet meek masculinity that is often lacking in movies, which I believe helps produce Launcelots in the world.
It Will Bless Your Marriage
Every marriage is different, but enjoying or at least appreciating these movies will bless your marriage since there will be less fights over what to watch. You’ll also love your wife well by taking an interest in what she likes, that is if she likes Pride and Prejudice.
It’s a Happy Ending
Tim Keller points out that, “We live in one of the first eras of history in which it is widely believed that a happy ending is the mark of inferior art.”[1] This is because many people believe there is no real purpose in life and so all things are meaningless. Therefore, many think art is more beautiful when it reflects this frustrating and empty reality of life. This is especially true of many critics. But many people, if not most, still enjoy a happy ending (see Hallmark movies).
J.R.R. Tolkien wrote an essay essentially arguing that our love for happy endings is built into us by God, and the epicenter of that desire flows from the Resurrection. He argues that happy endings aren’t escapist but actually cause people to sense that ultimately happy endings are somehow a part of reality.[2] As we read or watch them we inherently believe that though the world is filled with danger and sadness there is still meaning in life and evil will not prevail ultimately.
Is Pride and Prejudice my favorite movie of all time? No. Should you go and watch it immediately by yourself as a guy? Not necessarily. When you watch it should you appreciate it and even enjoy it? Hopefully this has convinced you that you should. At the very least hopefully you won’t want to dig me up and beat me over the head with my own shin-bone.
[1] Timothy Keller, King’s Cross: The Story of the World in the Life of Jesus (New York: Dutton, 2011). 226.
[2] Keller. 227.
Mike McGregor
Mike McGregor (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is Director of College Ministry at First Baptist Church in Durham, N.C. You can follow him on Twitter at @m5mcgregor.
