My thoughts on "Persuasion" 2022, as presented to us by Netflix. My thoughts are my own and are completely subjective.
Let me preface this by saying I got my Bachelor's Degree in English Literature (many, many years ago) and was introduced to the writing of Jane Austen during my studies. Somehow I had not read her in high school, although I did read "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte. It all seems a little backward considering the small, conservative, private school I attended. Bygones.
The first time I read "Pride and Prejudice" I yawned through the first half, but by the end was completely hooked and started reading it again. I love to re-read books because knowing where we will end up makes the journey so much more interesting and layered for me. I read "Persuasion" soon after that, was immediately delighted with it. I completely fell in love with the 1995 adaptation starting Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds. I was so happy that the film matched the story that I loved so much.
When I found out that there were a couple of new "Persuasion" adaptations coming out, I was interested to see what they would do with it this time. I loved the idea of Henry Golding as Mr. Elliot and was interested to see how Dakota Johnson would do in this role. I had never heard of Cosmo Jarvis, so was not sure what he would bring to a character who was capable of writing that famous love letter.
Before I get started on my opinions about this film, I must set the stage. I adore the "Pride and Prejudice" mini-series from 1995 with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. Because It was a four-part series, they were able to really tell the story in a way a reader of the beloved source material could appreciate. When the 2005 movie came out with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfayden, I hated it with the fire of a thousand suns. I didn't like Macfayden as Darcy. I didn't like how choppy the story felt because they spent so much time filming the main characters walking slowly through beautiful landscapes and leaving out what I considered important bits of the story. I went on hating it for years.
Until I decided to give it another chance because a friend of mine loved it so much. As I watched it a couple more times, I understood that there were things to love about this version of the story. Macfayden brought Darcy to life in a different way that I could now appreciate. The scenery and score are really lovely. And I decided it was good on its own and stopped comparing it to other adaptations and even to the original novel. So now I watch it probably once a year.
Now. On to this new "Persuasion" film. I have seen a lot of negative posts about it all over social media. And I will admit, the first time I watched it, I agreed with most of it. Anne was too snarky and broke the fourth wall too much. Wentworth was too stiff. The main couple had no chemistry. Mr. Elliot was more interesting than Captain Wentworth. Some of the language was too modernized.
However, because of my enemies-to-lovers experience with 2005 P&P, I decided to watch it again. I found the soundtrack on Apple Music and fell in love with it, listening to it on repeat for about a week. And I watched the film again. A few times.
Each time I watch it, I find something to like, or even love, about it. Here are my top eight things I appreciate about this film.
8. The wardrobe and hair. I don't care if it's not period appropriate or whatever. I love it.
7. I appreciate the updates they made to Anne's relationship with Lady Russell. At the stage we see in the film, it's like their relationship is partly a friendship of equals, and partly a mother-daughter dynamic. This gave it some added complexity, and I liked that Anne felt confident to be herself and speak her mind instead of continuing to be under Russell's influence completely.
6. The relationship between Henrietta and Louisa was sweet. There was zero competition between them for the attention of Captain Wentworth in this version of the story. Instead, Henrietta is fully devoted to Hayter the whole time.
5. Wentworth v. Elliot. When they first meet, Wentworth is pretty confrontational with Elliot, but Elliot bows out for now and continues on his way. Then with each meeting we see Elliot gaining ground and Wentworth losing ground, until Wentworth quits the field at the musical concert. I just haven't seen their rivalry for Anne presented in this way before, and I enjoyed watching it.
4. Mary Musgrove. Everything about her. This character always adds something special to the family dynamic and this time is no exception. The scenes with and about her children, the "soggy jam" comment, the "I need you with me on that holiday" conversation, the prissy little toss of a stone into the ocean on the beach in Lyme, and her comments about self-care and gratitude. She's a treasure.
3. Captain Harville, upon being introduced to Anne Elliot for the first time on the beach, gives Captain Wentworth this little look like, ah, here is the one you have been talking about for so long. I love how much he communicates in just a couple seconds without even saying anything.
2. At the Musgrove dinner, even though Anne avoided sitting next to him, Frederick waited until she sat down until finally sitting down himself.
1. The embrace at the end. She's so happy. He's so relieved and content to finally hold her in his arms. Even though you can't hear them talking it seems like Anne is saying yes to something, which I imagine is Frederick asking her to marry him as soon as possible. Before his ship leaves, perhaps? Can it happen that quickly? Is that part of his thinking and planning? I like to picture them running off together right then, leaving everything else behind, and starting their new life together.
All in all, I quite like this version of the story now, and you cannot persuade me otherwise. ;)
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