Persuasion Review
6 February 2013
There is a lot of controversy about the 2007 version of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. People complain that Sally Hawkins didn’t fulfil the true essence of Anne Elliot and that her hair was pulled back too tightly. They complain that Louisa’s fall was too quick to grasp what really happened. They complain that no respectable young lady during the Regency era would have run a footrace through Bath to reach the man she loved. They complain. Full stop.
Well, I’m going to fly in the face of most Persuasion (2007) reviews and say that I really like this version. In fact, of the two I have seen (2007 and 1995) this is my favourite version. Yes, there are issues with it, but most of them could be solved by realizing this is
only an hour and a half long movie… The best Jane Austen adaptations are over 3 hours long.
This version was my first introduction to Persuasion. To be completely honest, I didn’t even know this story existed until I checked it out of the library. Instant love. What a storyline! I can’t help but feel Anne’s agony throughout the length of the movie, also Captain Wentworth’s agony when he goes to see Anne in Bath and finds William Elliot hanging onto her coattails. To me, Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones are almost perfect for their roles. *Note: I haven’t read the book yet, so I cannot accurately say if Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones portrayed Jane Austen’s Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth correctly, but I can tell you from my own opinion how I feel they played the roles*
Well, without further ado…
The review…
SYNOPSIS
Well, I’m going to fly in the face of most Persuasion (2007) reviews and say that I really like this version. In fact, of the two I have seen (2007 and 1995) this is my favourite version. Yes, there are issues with it, but most of them could be solved by realizing this is
only an hour and a half long movie… The best Jane Austen adaptations are over 3 hours long.
This version was my first introduction to Persuasion. To be completely honest, I didn’t even know this story existed until I checked it out of the library. Instant love. What a storyline! I can’t help but feel Anne’s agony throughout the length of the movie, also Captain Wentworth’s agony when he goes to see Anne in Bath and finds William Elliot hanging onto her coattails. To me, Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones are almost perfect for their roles. *Note: I haven’t read the book yet, so I cannot accurately say if Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones portrayed Jane Austen’s Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth correctly, but I can tell you from my own opinion how I feel they played the roles*
Well, without further ado…
The review…
SYNOPSIS
Anne falls deeply in love with handsome young naval officer Frederick Wentworth at the age of nineteen. But with neither fortune nor rank to recommend him, Anne’s family were against the match and persuaded her to break off the engagement. Eight years later, Anne has lived to regret her decision. She never stopped loving Frederick and when he returns from sea having made his fortune and reputation, she can only watch as every eligible young woman in the district falls at his feet.
Can Frederick forgive Anne for listening to her family instead of her heart?
SCENERY
The scenery around Kent is rather pretty, and the elegance of the homes in Bath is gorgeous. But by far my favourite scenery is in Lyme. Some may look at the stones and raging sea and question my judgement, but it holds a beautiful strength that is rare in God’s creation. The sound of the waves crashing is so very majestic. Sublime.
Can Frederick forgive Anne for listening to her family instead of her heart?
SCENERY
The scenery around Kent is rather pretty, and the elegance of the homes in Bath is gorgeous. But by far my favourite scenery is in Lyme. Some may look at the stones and raging sea and question my judgement, but it holds a beautiful strength that is rare in God’s creation. The sound of the waves crashing is so very majestic. Sublime.
STORY
If I think hard about it, lots of romantic literature has been based on similar storylines as Persuasion. Girl loves boy, boy loves girl, girl sends boy away, so many years later girl meets boy again, girl still loves boy… but who will boy love?
This adaptation starts with Anne taking an inventory of Kellynch, as the family has been forced to put the house up for rent to pay off Sir Walter Eliot’s debt. Anne soon finds out that an Admiral Croft and his wife will be the tenants for her home. Immediately she freezes. Mrs. Croft is the sister of Captain Frederick Wentworth – the man that she broke off an engagement to eight years ago at the recommendation of her godmother, Lady Russell.
If I think hard about it, lots of romantic literature has been based on similar storylines as Persuasion. Girl loves boy, boy loves girl, girl sends boy away, so many years later girl meets boy again, girl still loves boy… but who will boy love?
This adaptation starts with Anne taking an inventory of Kellynch, as the family has been forced to put the house up for rent to pay off Sir Walter Eliot’s debt. Anne soon finds out that an Admiral Croft and his wife will be the tenants for her home. Immediately she freezes. Mrs. Croft is the sister of Captain Frederick Wentworth – the man that she broke off an engagement to eight years ago at the recommendation of her godmother, Lady Russell.
Anne’s father and older sister, Elizabeth, move to Bath, while she stays behind at a nearby cottage with her younger sister, Mary, and her family. Mary is feeling ‘unwell’ and needs her sister’s help. Soon Admiral Croft, his wife, and his brother-in-law move into Kellynch and Anne can’t avoid meeting Captain Wentworth again. His interaction with her is cold, quite understandably so. And Anne watches in horror as she sees the Captain and a neighbour friend form an attachment. Through a series of events, she leaves Mary to rejoin her father in Bath. There she is dazzled by another young man who pays her very close attentions and promises restoration of her home. Anne is further confused when Captain Wentworth arrives in Bath and word of an unexpected engagement is given to her. The rest you’ll have to find out by watching the movie. Or reading the book. :)
CHARACTERS
Anne Elliot is played by Sally Hawkins. This actress gets a lot of flak for her role as Anne, but I really like her. I love how you can read the emotions in her face and feel for her as the story progresses. I also love how a lot of her feelings and thoughts are relayed through a journal. As a ‘journaler’ I can really connect with that part of her character. She looks the appropriate age – 27 – for Anne, and okay, the hairdressing department could have been kinder to her hair, but her escaping curls redeem the tightly pulled back bun.
As for the character of Anne, she is a rather quiet and helpful girl. I am really inspired by her servant’s heart. If an argument is escalating about who should do something unpleasant, she quickly volunteers herself to stop the fighting. She is also kind-hearted and quick to spring into action when an emergency occurs. Her biggest downfall, however, is that she is easily persuaded. Hence the name of the story, Persuasion. Eight years of emotional agony makes her resolved not to let go of happiness again so quickly and when the opportunity comes again, she grabs it with both hands and does not let go.
Anne Elliot is played by Sally Hawkins. This actress gets a lot of flak for her role as Anne, but I really like her. I love how you can read the emotions in her face and feel for her as the story progresses. I also love how a lot of her feelings and thoughts are relayed through a journal. As a ‘journaler’ I can really connect with that part of her character. She looks the appropriate age – 27 – for Anne, and okay, the hairdressing department could have been kinder to her hair, but her escaping curls redeem the tightly pulled back bun.
As for the character of Anne, she is a rather quiet and helpful girl. I am really inspired by her servant’s heart. If an argument is escalating about who should do something unpleasant, she quickly volunteers herself to stop the fighting. She is also kind-hearted and quick to spring into action when an emergency occurs. Her biggest downfall, however, is that she is easily persuaded. Hence the name of the story, Persuasion. Eight years of emotional agony makes her resolved not to let go of happiness again so quickly and when the opportunity comes again, she grabs it with both hands and does not let go.
The hero, Captain Frederick Wentworth, is played by Rupert Penry-Jones. I've seen some that believe that Rupert Penry-Jones is too pale to play the role of Wentworth, but to me, he does look the part of a naval hero. Perhaps we could have seen a scene or two with him in his uniform. But, oh well.
His bitterness is evident as he meets Anne again for the first time in eight years. He spends a lot of time around Anne as they end up in the same party on excursions and the like and he watches her display kindness, servant-heartedness, and courage. He begins to realize the foolishness of his bitterness and aspects of Anne’s character that he had never seen before.
His bitterness is evident as he meets Anne again for the first time in eight years. He spends a lot of time around Anne as they end up in the same party on excursions and the like and he watches her display kindness, servant-heartedness, and courage. He begins to realize the foolishness of his bitterness and aspects of Anne’s character that he had never seen before.
Sir Walter, Elizabeth, Mary
Sir Walter Elliot and his eldest daughter, Elizabeth, are played by Anthony Head and Julia Davis. Both of these characters are slimy and selfish. Out only for themselves, they assume themselves to be so very important and grovel at the feet of others who have a higher station than they do.
Mary Musgrove is played by Amanda Hale. I really like her portrayal of Mary's 'illnesses' and her desire to get attention, and her general awkward silliness.
Mary Musgrove is played by Amanda Hale. I really like her portrayal of Mary's 'illnesses' and her desire to get attention, and her general awkward silliness.
Henrietta, Louisa
Louisa and Henrietta Musgrove are played by Jennifer Higham and Rosamund Stephan, respectively. These two remind me a little of Kitty and Lydia Bennet with their general silliness and regard for the opposite sex. I don’t know how accurate that is according to the book, but it fits in this adaptation
rather well. Louisa proves not only to be silly and excitable, but also quite calculating. When Captain Wentworth announces that “a little beauty, a few smiles, and a complement to the Navy”, as well as “firmness of character”,would be enough to win his heart, Louisa very quickly takes his advice to heart and uses it to try and catch his attention. Which she does, rather successfully. No spoilers here, sorry. :)
rather well. Louisa proves not only to be silly and excitable, but also quite calculating. When Captain Wentworth announces that “a little beauty, a few smiles, and a complement to the Navy”, as well as “firmness of character”,would be enough to win his heart, Louisa very quickly takes his advice to heart and uses it to try and catch his attention. Which she does, rather successfully. No spoilers here, sorry. :)
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Captain James Benwick is played by Finlay Robertson. This guy’s acting really catches my attention, because he plays the character of a man mourning the loss of his sweetheart so well. There is even a dead hardness to his eyes that really portrays what he is feeling.
Captain Harry Harville is played by Joseph Mawle. He is a quiet fellow, but you can see that nothing goes passed him, he notices everything. He is quick to tactfully point out the mistakes he sees his friends make and come up with a solution. |
The only negative I have to say about the characters is the character of Mrs. Croft. She is supposed to be Captain Wentworth's sister, however she looks old enough to be his mother or aunt… Most certainly not his sister.
COSTUMES/HAIRSTYLES
I don’t know an awful lot about the clothing and millinery of the Regency era, aside from what I’ve seen in other period dramas. From what I can gather, the clothing of the men and the women in this adaptation are pretty accurate. The different hairstyles seen in this film are - from my limited understanding - pretty accurate as well. |
RATING
Between 1 and 5, I’d give this film a 4.
This movie is rated G and is perfectly fine to sit and watch with the whole family. The only scene that could be considered ‘dramatic’ is when Louisa falls and hits her head. But it happens so fast and is very clean that no one really notices how bad it really is.
See my posters available for sale from this period drama
Between 1 and 5, I’d give this film a 4.
This movie is rated G and is perfectly fine to sit and watch with the whole family. The only scene that could be considered ‘dramatic’ is when Louisa falls and hits her head. But it happens so fast and is very clean that no one really notices how bad it really is.
See my posters available for sale from this period drama