From page to screen, “Pride and Prejudice” remains timeless. The 2005 film adaptation, directed by Joe Write, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen celebrates its 20 year anniversary this November.

In anticipation of this milestone, this literary masterpiece turned cinematic masterpiece remains a staple in the ever-evolving world.

When Jane Austen published “Pride and Prejudice” in 1813, the novel was arguably ahead of its time.

The story depicts the true human nature of overcoming pride and prejudice to develop a true love rooted in understanding and respect.

Most love stories gloss over the struggles that come with falling in love; it’s not as simple as love at first sight, like with most fairy tales.

I know most of our beloved princes and princesses faced their own struggles, but outside of having an evil queen hunting them down, there were no relationship issues.

True love is rarely as simple as two people being on the same page about everything. “Pride and Prejudice” beautifully details the raw truth behind relationships — they require humility and empathy.

The 19th-century novel was a lesson that still has a grip on 21st-century hearts.

Reading through the pages, people could resonate with the characters; they weren’t perfect, they were flawed and real.

Nearly two centuries later, we saw Knightley (Elizabeth Bennet) and Macfadyen (Mr. Darcy) bring their A-game to the big screen in a beautiful portrayal of Austen’s novel.

The film debuted on Nov. 11, 2005, and created imagery for what so many had pictured in their minds for so long.

Knightley put her heart into embodying Elizabeth Bennet, showing a spirited, self-assured young lady who, beneath all the wit and confidence, is vulnerable under the scrutiny of what “love” was at the time — marrying for wealth and stability.

Macfadyen, on the other hand, perfectly demonstrated the outwardly proud and quiet Mr. Darcy, who was undone from the “norms” by a true love that was contrary to everything he was used to.

The film itself portrays falling in love in slow motion from the rain-soaked confession scene, the charged brush of fingertips, to the dawn-lit proposal.

The film was highly praised for its “beautiful, sweeping cinematography and the picturesque scenery,” as well as the on-screen chemistry between Knightley and Macfadyen.

With all the glory, criticism must accompany; topics such as digression from the novel and the “rushed” pace of the movie were called into question, as well as how the focus on the romance overlooked social commentary.

These criticisms are valid, but they do not take away from the beautifully curated romance on the pages and on screen.

The slow-burning romance between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy teaches modern-day relationships what to prioritize in terms of partners, chemistry, and love.

In a time when it was hard to navigate love and people rarely married for true love, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy learned to set aside what they thought they knew and open their minds and hearts to grow separately for one another.

To obtain such love, perhaps we must learn from the screen and set aside our pride and prejudice.

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Liv Suydam is a reporter at the Lewistown Sentinel.