#84: Persuasion by Jane Austen
Source Material, Volume 7
Book - Published: 1817 | Pages: 249
Movie - Released 2022 on Netflix.
Written by: Ron Bass (My Best Friend’s Wedding) and Alice Victoria Winslow (first feature film)
Directed by: Carrie Cracknell (first feature film)
Starring: Dakota Johnson, Cosmo Jarvis, Henry Golding
Let’s just take a moment and bask in awe that a novel written in 1817, that has already been adapted for the screen multiple times, was backed by streaming behemoth Netflix for another version right here in 2022. It’s incredible.
Did I like the book? Yes, I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Did I like the movie? I’m mixed! I enjoyed parts of it but not others.
It’s quite a fascinating adaptation and merits a much deeper analysis than what I can provide here. Maybe there’s an alternate universe where writing about books and movies is my full time job and I’ve written a brilliant work of comparison identifying the merits and shortcomings of both novel and film. I’m sure that version of me exists and he’s awesome.
The Book
Anne Elliot is a class act who comes from a family of snobs. 8 years ago she was persuaded by a highly respected family friend, Lady Russell, to not marry the confident, brilliant, and headstrong Frederick Wentworth because he had no wealth or status. Lady Russell’s intentions were pure and Anne, being the woman that she is, faults her friend nothing.
Now 8 years later, Wentworth is back in Anne’s life with wealth from his service in the navy and status as a successful captain. The fundamental question of all rom coms is thus presented: Will they or won’t they?
Look, it’s no secret that this book has a happy ending, but it’s how everyone gets there that is fun. Austen sets up the story and characters and conflict in such a natural way. She creates interesting and memorable scenes that allow us to understand character motivations.
Austen has a lot to say about people’s character. There is Anne, who is undervalued in her family yet we know she has the “elegance of mind” and “sweetness of character” that sets her apart from others. Then there’s her cousin Mr. Elliot, who is respected and has all the appearance of a gentleman, yet is a conniving scoundrel. Austen’s writing has such satisfying payoffs when the other characters see what we see and take action, such as loving and cherishing a person with admirable character like Anne. We the readers love Anne and so we end up loving Wentworth for loving Anne.
It’s also just so relatable. I don’t think it’s possible to bump into an ex at a class reunion and not be caught off guard by the thought “Once so much to each other! Now nothing!” Relationships are crazy in that way and Austen gets it.
Lastly, the social commentary is insightful and you can’t help but nod in agreement at lines such as:
No reference to examples in books. Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story. Education has been theirs in so much higher a degree; the pen has been in their hands. I will not allow books to prove anything.
The Movie
The movie follows the major beats of the story, but the tone shifts around in a way that is off-putting at first. Anne, these 8 years later, continues to be in mourning and we are meant to mourn with her, but not too much. The movie is quick to add a playful tune and a joke to avoid things feeling too dour. The book balanced tones better.
Dakota Johnson’s performance carries the film, so if she doesn’t work for you, the movie won’t either. Her winks and monologues break the 4th wall (meaning she looks at and speaks directly to the camera at times) and she’s a talented actress, but to me she isn’t embodying the Anne Elliot of the book. Nor do I think that’s what they were going for as they tried to contemporize the character.
A lot of lines and sentiments from the book make it into the movie. Book lines such as “There could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison” became “A heartbeat ago, there were no two souls more in rhythm than Wentworth and I.” I award points to the movie for that. For me, the scale tips a little too much toward contemporary expressions and I would have preferred more classic Austen dialogue.
I really enjoy the song “Quietly Yours” by Birdy which played during the climactic reuniting of the lovers. It is gorgeous and on point with the movie’s themes. Books need to come with soundtracks.
In Summary
Overall, I feel positively toward these works of art and I’m glad both book and movie exist. Austen will be adapted and re-adapted every few years, so if you don’t like this take on Persuasion you’ll have another chance in about a decade!
More Jane Austen and adaptation content
Michael Perkins on Tik Tok. I have loads of bias, but this is the single greatest series on Tik Tok, now or ever. The soon to be 19 part series breaks down, scene by scene, why the ‘05 Pride and Prejudice is better than the ‘95. You’ll love it.
A Timeline of Jane Austen Adaptations (vulture.com) A perfectly comprehensive yet concise analysis.
A PERSUASION Adaptation Review By Someone Who Hasn't Read The Book (bookriot.com)
On Enjoying Book Adaptations For What They Are | Book Riot Carina Pereira over at Book Riot said something I liked:
This is not to say readers can’t — or shouldn’t — feel betrayed by adaptations, especially when there is so much focus on the original books: some movies really get the core of the book completely wrong, and will even go as far as completely twisting it, and that is always a shame. As consumers of literature and all its adaptations, we have all the right to demand better.
If you felt betrayed by this movie, allow this article to validate your feelings.
What did you think of this book and movie? Leave a comment and let’s talk about it.
Kyle