Persuasion 2008 Movie Review

In early 2008, PBS and Masterpiece Theater did an entire series on Jane Austen including several new versions of classic tales. This included a fresh version of Persuasion, starring Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliot and Rupert Penry-Jones as Captain Wentworth. It was directed by Adrien Shergold.

Interestingly, although I own every version of Pride & Prejudice made (including the Bollywood one) and have seem them all countless times, and read the book numerous times, I never read or saw Persuasion. So this movie was my introduction to the story. I then read the book, then rewatched the movie. So I experienced this both as a "new experience" and also as an adaptation of the book.

The first thing I notice every time I watch this version is that I *really* have problems with the hand held camera work. I can name many movies I adore that use this style, but it was VERY poorly done here. I have talked with many other viewers who agree completely. It was so intrusive at the beginning that when Anne goes past a mirror, I found myself staring in the mirror to look for the camera guy. Scenes are too dark, too light, to out of focus, and pose other issues. It greatly detracts from the storyline.

Next, the introduction of Anne's older sister Elizabeth is very poorly done. It's not obvious at all that she IS a sister - she appears to be Anne's young stepmother. In fact this misconception carries all the way through most of the movie.

Now, that being said, the movie does a good job of squishing the story into the movie's length without missing out on much. Some of the scenes were very touching, like when Anne falls into the river.

I have mixed feelings about the "Run, Lola, Run!" sequence at the end of the movie. It is a little over the top, but it was very moving the first time I saw it. The kiss was drawn out a *little* too long, but I get the sense they were trying to convey - that these people had waited a long, long time for this moment.

I adored Sir Walter, I thought his actor did an excellent job with him. However, although it may seem minor, there was a key change in the scene where he starts ranting about "commonplace widows" (refering to Anne's childhood friend) - not realizing that he is insulting Mrs. Clay who matches that category. In the book, it is a scene of tension; in the movie, Mrs. Clay has already left the room by then.

I was less sure about Anne. She was too wishy washy, too squishy in the movie. Other versions have her much more "settled" and mature which is more true to the book. This perpetual drowning emotion is deliberately enhanced. They added in a line which felt powerful in the movie - where the angst-ridden Anne is wondering if Wentworth will bring his wife and children to his home - but in reality she has been following his life closely and she *knows* he doesn't have a family yet.

I do like that they made Anne much more "proactive". In the book she is sort of there and semi-helpful during the child's fall and the cousin's fall - but in the movie she is the one who actively helps to tend to both wounds. I also have to say I really enjoy the music, it reminded me a lot of the background music in The Hours. The piano work was very rich and emotional. It echos Anne's playing soulfully when she's feeling down.



I did believe in Captain Wentworth, that he was hurt all those years about Anne's behavior, but is slowly drawn in to her. That is portrayed very well. He is very handsome and charismatic, far more than the 1971 movie.

I'm not sure if I like the ending change where the Captain buys the house for Anne (i.e. kicking her family out). In the story they plan to retire to a quiet house which seems much more their style.

In general, I like this FAR more than the 1971 version, but it went too far in the other direction. Anne has lost her grounding which made her such a great heroine in the book. Instead she is a lost, drowned kitten, completely squashed down by life until she is thrown the lifesaver of her lost love.

Random notes:

I love the scene where they're first going to the Musgroves, with the two younger sisters running vs other two "older sisters" following sedately.

Anne is very proactive compared with the other versions.

At Anne's newphew's injury - both parents are vultures in wanting to run off immediately

I love Anne going to stare out at the dinner

Great touch with the tears on the diary, as she thinks about having seen Wentworth.

Gorgeous piano playing scene - she is playing the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven.

The putting-on-the-carriage scene almost looks like he's getting rid of her, not helping her

She thinks he is getting married a bit too much in this version

Everyone leaves during the Mrs Smith argument which takes away from the tension

I like the running from the concert scene

I like that she tells the captain that she's not engaged, and when he leaves she immediately goes after him

Her friend Harriett tells her the truth to warn her when she thinks Anne she will marry - I like this vs other versions where she is going to sit by and let Anne marry a slimy guy

I dislike a key change, there's no mention of the overhearing of "women are loyal" discussion, he only loves her based on her being her.

Starring: Rupert Penry-Jones, Sally Hawkins

Persuasion Main Review Page

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