Persuasion MOVIE REVIEW 2022
A Jane Austen Classic Adaptation
Are you a Jane Austen fan? Perhaps you read (or pretended to read) one of her novels in school.
Jane Austen is one of the most iconic writers to have ever lived. She published 6 complete novels. They have turned into over 22 movies. Jane Austens stories are great for adaptations.
Have you read Persuasion? I haven’t, but it is now on my TBR list. I am very excited about this new Netflix movie!
The Plot of Persuasion
This story is about Anne Elliot. A modern woman who does not try to fit in with her family or the times.
She lives with her family (who are on the verge of losing all of their money and their home).
Fredrick Wentworth, the fiance’ that she shooed away a long time ago, comes back into her life. He is charming and dashing and the perfect man. Even after 8 years, she still loves him.
Mr. Elliot is also seeking the attentions of Anne. He is the “villain” of the story. His goal throughout the movie is to collect the entire Elliot inheritance, which he is very forthcoming about.
According to Deadline, “Anne must choose between putting the past behind her or listening to her heart when it comes to second chances.”
Meet the Actors and their characters in Persuasion 2022
Dakota Johnson as Anne Elliot
Cosmo Jarvis as Captain Fredrick Wentworth
Yolanda Kettle as Elizabeth Elliot
Nikki Amuka-Bird as Lady Russell
Lydia Rose Bewley as Penelope Clay
Henry Golding as Mr. William Elliot
Richard E. Grant as Sir Walter Elliot
Mia McKenna-Bruce as Mary Elliot/Musgrove
Agne Scott as Mrs. Croft
Stewart Scudamore as Admiral Croft
Nia Towle as Louisa Musgrove
Izuka Hoyle as Henrietta Musgrove
REVIEW OF PERSUASION 2022
I have so much to say about this fantastic movie, that I truly don’t even know where to begin.
Let me break this down into parts:
THE DIALOGUE
The dialogue in this movie is witty, sarcastic, often quick and dry, and very very funny.
When the characters aren’t humorous (whether on purpose or accidentally), they are deep and soulful. Their lines are filled with deep truths that resonate with men and women in today’s world.
The scriptwriters took Jane Austen and the struggles of the 1800’s women and modernized them in a unique and easy-to-follow way.
Jane Austen, as with other classic authors, has a particular “voice” that is now considered outdated. The dialogue in Persuasion is simplified enough that even non-literary fans can enjoy it, but contained in the words remains the spirit and eloquence of the 19th Century European upper-class culture.
BREAKING THE 4TH WALL
If you are not yet familiar with the term, “breaking the 4th wall”, according to the Collins Dictionary is:
- (esp of a character in a television programme, film, or play) to refer to, acknowledge, or address the audience, usually for comedic effect or as an avante-garde technique
Anne Elliot breaks this 4th wall throughout the entire movie. She seamlessly bounces between living her life, while we watch, to telling us (the audience) her thoughts and feelings about everything going on.
The most notable moments are when she doesn’t even speak. She simply looks into the camera, at us, as if we are sharing a secret.
Without giving away any spoilers, I will say that her sister’s comments often make Anne look at us as if to say “do you see what I have to deal with” in an affectionate and slightly exasperated way.
These glances tell us exactly how she feels about her family, friends, and love interests throughout the entire movie without there needing to be unnecessary dialogue.
What I think is truly well done is that when the 4th wall is “broken”, it is during times when the other characters aren’t necessarily paying attention to her.
Just like in a normal group setting, there are moments when two people are talking, but a natural pause in conversation can lead one person to look at someone across the room and make certain facial expressions to convey their feelings.
This simple direction doesn’t always come across on screen well. There are many movies that break the 4th wall but in a slightly cringy and unnatural way.
Persuasion, and Dakota Johnson as Anne Elliot, handles this classical cinematic direction perfectly!
THE BEST ACTING GOES TO...
It’s impossible to choose just one, but my favorite is the character Mary Musgrove played by Mia McKenna-Bruce.
Mia is the youngest sister in the Elliot family and is married to a rich and handsome man, with whom they have three gorgeous childeren together.
Mary is…dramatic, to say the least. She often complains of pain, sickness, and just about anything that causes her even the smallest discomfort. She is straight to the point, and is usually very rude and selfish.
Despite her horrible disposition, she is the funniest character in the movie. Her friends and family brush off all of her rude comments and they all clearly love her despite her faults.
My favorite moment in the entire movie is when we first meet Mr. Elliot – Anne Elliots other love interest.
The group walks by him and Mary, being all of 4 feet and 5 inches tall, completely crans her neck around and up to get a good look at Mr. Elliot. This scene is so subtle that if you blink, you’ll miss it.
Mary is nosy, stuck-up, pretentious, selfish, rude, and a whole lot of other things, but Mia plays the character in such a way that you can’t help but love her for all of those faults.
If Mary were a real person, I would want to be her friend.
Read some of Mary’s best quotes in this Persuasion Movie Quotes 2022 blog.
CONCLUSION
Netflix labels this movie as “swoonworthy”, “witty”, and “romantic”. Despite the romance, this movie is labeled G, for general audiences.
After countless hours of research, I have discovered a few fun facts about this upcoming movie. For one, some or most of the filming occurs in Bath, England. Not surprising, since this is the hot-spot for filming any period piece. Secondly, the fashion is not exactly what would have been worn in the early 1800’s. A few photos show that the costumes sport distinct modern elements.
Are you persuaded to watch Persuasion?
For more upcoming movies based on books, click here.