Persuasion
Living with her snobby family on the brink of bankruptcy, Anne Elliot is an unconforming woman with modern sensibilities. When Frederick Wentworth - the dashing one she once sent away - crashes back into her life, Anne must choose between putting the past behind her or listening to her heart when it comes to second chances.
- Released:
- Runtime: 120 minutes
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Stars: Dakota Johnson, Henry Golding, Cosmo Jarvis, Richard E. Grant, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Ben Bailey-Smith, Izuka Hoyle, Mia McKenna-Bruce, Nia Towle, Edward Bluemel, Lydia Rose Bewley, Yolanda Kettle, Jordan Long, Simon Paisley Day, Agni Scott, Stewart Scudamore, Eve Matheson, Gary Beadle, Afolabi Alli, Jenny Rainsford, Kate Ashcroft, Ali Ariaie, Janet Henfrey, Sophie Brooke
- Director: Carrie Cracknell
Comments
- dcnfwrsgb - 11 January 2023
Contrived and Slow
This version of Persuasion consists mostly of the cast wandering about the outdoors, punctuated by the occasional salon scene, all the while emoting sadly. Even the scene near the end where Anne and Wentworth finally get together, he barely smiles for a moment or two before looking like he's in pain. Again. There is no chemistry between the two of them.
The script is plodding and written with comic bits that often fall flat. Dakota Johnson's performance is excellent, though the frequent 4th wall, inner voice asides detract from what little flow the movie has. The final one, in the final scene, makes the movie more about her asides than the scene and perhaps the rest of the movie itself. Dakota Johnson's only competition for holding the viewer's attention is Henry Golding in scenes as Mr. Elliot, an invariably refreshing and magnetic presence. The rest of the cast is forgettable.
The cinematography is quite good. The scenery and settings are beautiful. But the movie simply doesn't work. It's an interesting adaptation in some respects, but might have been better, even as written, if the writers and director had gone for broke and set it in the present. It's contrivances combine to become just too anachronistic for the period setting. - magnoliacream - 11 December 2022
Where's the sensible and proper Anne Elliot?
It's funny and engaging but not my favorite adaptation of the novel. I don't mind its more upbeat version of Anne Elliot. But her portrayal as an alcoholic who would yell out the window is out of character of sensible and proper Anne. As for her rather sultry looks, I would have welcomed it had it elicited more chemistry with Captain Frederick Wentworth (Cosmo Jarvis). But, though there is some spark, the chemistry is not nearly as powerful as that between Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones in the 2007 adaptation.
Nonetheless, I'm happy the producers did not make this Bridgerton-level raunchy, which was what I was afraid of when I found out Dakota Johnson was starring.
A stand-out in this adaptation is Mary. She takes silliness to a whole new level.
