Persuasion, the last novel of prolific writer Jane Austen published after her death in 1817. Anne Elliot, a young beautiful woman of money, is engaged to handsome Captain Frederick Wentworth, a man with no money or connections to recommend him. Young Anne was persuaded to end her relationship with Captain Wentworth. Years later Captain Wentworth reappears in Anne life. Captain Wentworth is now a man of means and looking for a wife. But, Anne and Captain Wentworth are on different wavelengths. Can Anne and Captain Wentworth be able to rekindle what they previously had?
Persuasion (1995)
| Background | Staring |
| BBC Television,WGBH Boston, and Millésime Productions Film Dramatized: Nick dear Directed: Roger Michell Music: Jeremy Sams | Amanda Root (Anne Elliot) Ciarán Hinds (Cpt. Frederick Wentworth) Susan Fleetwood (Lady Russell) Fiona Shaw (Mrs. Croft) John Woodvine (Admiral Croft) Samuel West (Mr. Elliot) |
| Persuasion starts with romantic music as it transitions between the navy, the Elliot home, creditors, and Ms. Russell. The introductions outline the most important elements of the movie and novel. It abruptly lands on Mr. Elliot self-centered and nasty supercilious ramblings about class. Yet, the introduction to Mr. Elliot highlights how the solicitor, Ms. Russell, and Anne talk with cautious flattery as the only way to persuade conceited Mr. Elliot that getting a navy tenant and going to bath is the way to economize. In the background, we see quiet Anne (Amanda Root) taking in what is happening around her and expressing her quiet opinions on her face. One thing that becomes abundantly clear is that Anne is at the whim of her family. Anne is in the background and a afterthought to everyone. Suddenly Anne takes center stage as the conversation arrives on the most distressing matter, Captain Wentworth. Anne quietly speaks Captain Wentworth name that the clear heartbreak is on her face. Amanda Root did a wonderful job in expressing so much of Anne character and thoughts through her eyes and expression. When Captain Wentworth(Ciarán Hinds) finally appeared Amanda Root did a wonderful job of showing her shock at his entrance. Anne feelings are showed through the camera zooming on her face and showing of her hand grasping the chair. Ciarán Hinds as well showed amazing acting. As Captain Wentworth entered he completely ignored Anne eyes. Captain Wentworth was cold towards Anne. The examples above highlight some of Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds performance that made Persuasion an enjoyable view. Another great aspect of Persuasion was the authentic feeling in the sense that it is not flashy in all areas of music, set design, and costumes. The other actors also did an amazing job in portraying their characters motivations and actions. 5 stars out of 5 |
Persuasion (2007)
| Background | Staring |
| Clerkenwell Films and WGBH Boston Film Dramatized: Simon Burke Directed: Adrian Shergold Music: Martin Phipps | Sally Hawkins (Anne Elliot) Rupert Penry-Jones(Cpt. Frederick Wentworth) Alice Krige (Lady Russell) Marion Bailey (Mrs. Croft) Peter Wight (Admiral Croft) Tobias Menzies (Mr. Elliot) |
| It starts with gentle music and a close up of Anne (Sally Hawkins). Anne is getting everything ready in the Elliot home for their leave. As she moves around the house the camera shakes along with her. Anne is emotional about Captain Wentworth’s(Rupert Penry-Jones) arrival. Ms. Russell is much more involved in Anne’s life and she tends to Anne’s emotional needs. We have a moment where Anne looks at Captain Wentworth old letters and we see that she still treasures what they had. Sally Hawkins gentle voice really makes Anne such a gentle character. When Captain Wentworth finally sees Anne again we feel his coldness towards her through words and actions. Yet, Captain Wentworth would look at Anne in secret with an emotionless attitude like complete strangers. Anne is a quiet observer of Captain Wentworth and the people around her. One enjoyable aspect of this version was when Anne would look at the camera as she expressed her true thoughts and feelings on Captain Wentworth arrival and his actions towards her. This movie has a nice color palette on the characters costumes and the setting. There are many nice nature shots. I like the walking shots because the camera shakes along with the characters. It makes it feel more real. In this version we feel more of the famous Elliot pride and the coldness of her family towards Anne. The greatest take away was the depth of Anne’s emotions and that Anne expresses her voice a lot more in this version. The other actors also did an amazing job in portraying their characters motivations and actions. 5 stars out of 5 |