Persuasion 2022 liveblog
Upon a second viewing to try to figure out why I enjoyed it so much when everyone hates it, even if I am a contrarian ;)
Apologies in advance for the rambly nature of this post, but it is a liveblog. Most Jane Austen fans are hating this adaptation, and I curiously thought it was very enjoyable, even though it’s deeply flawed. I don’t think I want it to be the new template for Austen adaptations in any way…but I enjoyed it for what it is - a modern fantasy, rather than a historical adaptation, and it did capture the heartbreak and love of the original, in the end, for me.
I am curious about the events of this opening scene. Is this the breakup - since Wentworth is crying. It could be an impressionistic one - showing all of the emotions throughout their first relationship
I have to say - I think Dakota Johnson’s British accent is better than Gwyneth Paltrow’s. And the opening strikes a really good note of longing and loss. Very nice music and filming, and I like the bookend
And now we get to the modern fantasy element. The irony is obnoxious, though it is aimed at herself as well as her family.
Casting for her dad is great, though I still prefer Corin Redgrave best. The way they worked in the favorite book (the Baronetage), is nicely done. The dad is one of the most well done book transplants.
Elizabeth is pretty solid, actually. She’s very good looking. And she and Mary look very similar, which is quite nice.
The merchants coming in as shorthand for bankruptcy isn’t badly done, though I prefer the more realistic merchants at the door in 95.
Lady Russell has a nice tone, though…more to come on her. They go very much more for equal best friend stuff, instead of aunt/mother substitute.
Sir Walter’s quote about perspective is so brutally hilarious and nasty.
Anne trying to give good advice is a rare note of the maturity that we should see from her consistently, though she is oddly self assured.
The pain in Anne’s eyes when she says Wentworth is very well done. A well done camera glance, too.
Anne’s room is weird - feels like a child’s room with the wallpaper and coloring and bed. (No pillars and roof)
The exposition between Anne and Lady Russell is clunky, but it works reasonably well. Lady Russell admitting her fault and apologizing is an unusual choice - part of casting her more as a bestie than a mother.
Anne’s grief at “abandon all hope” is again, really well done. They hit the grief really well early on, and I think that’s part of why I enjoyed it so much. And the “hope springs eternal” matches cliche for cliche.
The Most Precious Treasures - it’s funny that it looks so much like Sally Hawkins’ box. And Amanda Root had a letter folded into a boat as well. A box of visual mementos to explain Anne’s love for Wentworth remaining a present emotion is constant in all three of the last 30 years. Anne keeping up with the naval updates is nicely done, even though the whale thing seems very odd/silly to me.
Elizabeth trying to figure out her “projection” in Bath is a good character note. Modern fantasy element, but it feels right.
Mr. Shepherd stuffing his face is a WEIRD note.
The complete lack of bows and curtseys is interesting. I miss it, but I would rather they do that than what they did in Becoming Jane, mock them
The “I had a letter from sister Mary” line is exactly the same as in 95, which is weird, since it’s not in the book. They got rid of the “no one will want her in Bath.”
Anne eating asparagus with her fingers is weird.
Elizabeth and Sir Walter bossing Anne around is nicely done. The shrubberies note is well done. I do hate Anne’s shirt in this scene.
Sophy Croft and Wentworth look very siblingy. And I quite like her casting here - much more memorable than 07. Though not quite as solid as 95. The Admiral is also not quite as good as 95 (such a deep voice he had), but has a lot of character.
This coach scene to Uppercross is very pretty, with some pretty longing from Anne. Not as sad as 95’s journey.
The bunny is still so weird. Don’t get it.
I quite like the location note font. Sans serif.
The intro to Mary is not too bad, though a tad cliched. The actress is a pretty solid choice - has more naturalness than Amanda Hale, though Sophie Thompson gets the strongest acting. Anne does comfort her, which is a kind note. Louisa and Henrietta are nice - it is odd that Louisa looks SO MUCH like Louisa from 07.
The boys are nice, and Charles is very good. Good looking and has a very decent mood. I don’t get the Marie Antoinette thing - it feels very wrong to me. The kinds of ahistorical “facts” that dumb people think will make them seem smart.
Louisa trying to matchmake Anne and Wentworth is very odd. As is Anne’s hairdo in this scene. Louisa’s advice is really obnoxious. The female version of The Rules. Sounds like gaslighting/shit testing. Really don’t like it.
The injury of little Charles is good - Anne is comforting, but doesn’t have the bizarre “I can reset the shoulder to show how helpful and awesome I am” nonsense.
The plum pudding stuff is a really nice repeated line. Mary’s tirade is nicely handled. Anne actually does a kind thing here. And…the empath line. Ugh. I don’t like it, because I don’t like it IRL…but honestly, Mary is exactly the kind of person who WOULD say this kind of self serving nonsense. So it works in the modern fantasy thing.
And here we have a really dumb note. Anne yelling out the window - I get it, but it’s annoying. It does play off of the glimpse through the window we see in 95. I do appreciate she doesn’t swear when she slapsticks her way around.
Anne playing with the kids is cute, though it’s unnecessarily modern romcom. Wentworth is quite friendly, interestingly.
The handheld camerawork is nice - it highlights the awkwardness, without being hard to see what’s going on. And I really like the color grading and choices. 07 had very clumsy color choices that often had characters clash or fade into the scenery unintentionally. This one always has them complement and contrast nicely.
The dinner at Uppercross is awkward. The lack of servants or gentlemen seating ladies is annoying, but not too unexpected. The music is very nicely longing. Wentworth perking up for Anne and then being sad when she leaves is nicely handled. One can see more of why people like him, since he’s not nearly as mean as in other versions. Anne wandering around aimlessly and being awkward is definitely overdone here, and Wentworth saying things to strangers that he should only say to his relatives is still obnoxious here as in 07. Louisa pretending to be an absolute idiot is stupid, and Wentworth lashing out at Anne is the first really resentful note. Not badly done. But then Anne gets drunk, and it’s overdone. I do like all the glasses they have.
Wentworth’s almost suicidal mood because of Anne was nicely handled too, though a bit too openly stated, and Anne’s reaction is nice, too. Changing the line to 18-80 is funny - the rhyme of the 8s. Anne talking about Charles wanting to marry her first is really grating. Very badly done all round. The yellow dress is a good “awkward dress”.
And then she changes? Or is this lighting? Mary reporting the Wentworth line is very good. And then saying “I stood up for you” and then completely not standing up is hilarious. Perfect Mary.
The dance music Anne plays is weird. Mood appropriate rather than an actual dance. The choreography feels off, but again, it’s mood. I suppose I should be happy it’s not breakdancing like 19 Little Women. (Hang on a sec while I torture myself with a rewatch of that scene…)
Anne yelling into her pillow so Mary can hear is weak, though the “Mary is so dumb” joke isn’t…the worst.
Fur Elise as a dance tune is hilarious.
Mary parroting social expectations is…odd. Dunno. More bunnies. Ugh. And the first line of the “worse than strangers, we’re exes.” I think it works, again, in the modern fantasy thing.
The recasting of the boys attacking Anne is fun, though odd. Wish her hair was more appropriate. Wentworth rescuing her is nicely done, with a good French Revolution joke. And the way they build a connection through conversation between the two is nice. Not at all like the book, but I like how it gives them more chemistry.
The Italian joke is a nice thing given we know Anne knows it from the book. And Louisa and Henrietta trying to sneak by Mary is nicely done - a good comedy dramatization of the book. “So you assume just because I hate something I don’t want to do it.” Very funny.
This Louisa and Anne thing, and Louisa asking to break sister code and take her sister’s man is…awkward and weird. I think Anne handles it pretty well, and develops the sweet/kind side. She doesn’t lash out or be mean, even in monologue. We get the sense that Anne actually likes Louisa. But she also is emoting pain very well. The lens flare here is very nicely done. A nice pastel pasture scene. Anne never says, but she looks her love.
The blocking - three, two, one (Anne alone) is nicely staged. The metaphor jokes, and Wentworth bantering, and Mary insisting that Anne not use words imaginatively - a nicely done bit. Mary’s blatant snobbery is…hilarious.
And the infamous pee scene. Honestly…I missed it the first time. And I don’t really mind it. I see why people think what they think, but…it’s not explicit nudity, and it’s just using the bathroom. Awkward.
Louisa sticking up for Anne, Wentworth being explicit about disliking Anne instead of the nut analogy is ok. Wentworth knowing Anne sits around judging people is pretty solid knowledge of her character in this adaptation, honestly. The “sextant” thing is weird. Juvenile “It sounds like sex” thing? Anne creeping around the tree to avoid Wentworth is silly, but not too bad. The falling line and then the trip. Not bad, not good either. And it works to make her limp. Much better than the weird “Wentworth from nowhere” scene in 07. Only 95 gets the Croft’s coach scene right! They all need to sit together, not in front or behind. Louisa again trying to help Anne get out of her own way is an interesting touch. She’s more self aware and sympathetic than in the other versions. Wentworth and Anne share a very nice moment.
Then Anne massages her ankle, then hugs her nephew for comfort. Charles carrying Mary and Mary demanding Anne act as her personal microphone is…funny. I actually think Mary’s overdramatization is one of the better things in the adaptation.
The overlit beach stuff looks gorgeous. A very nice Harville! Benick is definitely better cast than in 07 (such weird sideburns and lifeless delivery!) Harville’s sudden loud sentences are odd, but it’s a nice dynamic. An odd “universe” instead of God or providence - especially since they bring up Providence later on. It’s very interesting the plotline of Wentworth rejoining the navy. It’s referenced in the book and the 95 film, but it’s done as an actual plotline here, with setup and payoff.
Fart jokes. Um. Harville and his wife are very nice. Anne lecturing Wentworth on women is an odd change from Sophy, but not horrible.
Some good poetry bonding with Benwick. This is solid characterization for Anne.
More gorgeous seaside stuff. Honestly…I think at least half of my enjoyment of this film is because it’s so darn pretty. And Mr. Elliot shows up. I don’t like the divots in his hat brim, and though they do provide an explanation for his all black getup as mourning, it’s kind of hilariously silly to see him be mustache twirlingly evil and wearing all black.
Wentworth conversation part 2! The jealousy! The setup for “worse than exes, now we’re friends” - honestly…I think it works. I really like the feeling between these two. And the setup of Anne as best in an emergency is nicely done. And then Anne swimming is…odd. All emotion, but weird. Explains her hair, though. The colors and Wentworth gazing longingly are nice emotions, though.
The flirting between Anne and Mr. Elliot - not great, but not horrible, either. I like the “miss” line, though.
Anne being openly hostile to her family is a bit off, though. No one reacts except Mary, but odd.
And we do get the grand promenade! Very nice framing. A beautiful sunny day! An interesting drawing of an early connection between Louisa and Benwick, with Louisa telling Benwick her feelings. And the famous fall! Not badly done. Anne taking charge is pretty solid. That fall looks kind of terrifying in this version. Louisa does look like a total idiot.
Mrs. Harville is great! And Wentworth asking Anne to stay is gorgeous. And him cutting Mary down, even though she just refuses, is a nicely handled scene by all involved.
Wentworth telling Anne he doesn’t love Louisa is very interesting. Third scene of tete-a-tete!
And the Lady Russell sex tours picnic. Ugh. Not a horrible scene concept, but the “joke” is just obnoxious and bad for her character completely. Definitely my least favorite thing in the adaptation.
The way Anne says “never trust a ten” isn’t great, but it does fit with her distrust of Mr. Elliot’s overly polished looks and way. And the camera movement into the house is a nicely done shot.
Elizabeth being a jackass and Anne snarking to us is…interesting. Sir Walter denying insults made to his face is hilarious.
A much better hat for Mr. Elliot. And I think the one bow they do in the whole movie. Funny how it doesn’t really stand out until I’m looking for it.
There’s more genuine flirtation between Anne and Mr. Elliot is a bit odd. It would be nice to get more from Anne’s fourth wall breaks about why she does it. Mr. Elliot being super honest about stopping Sir Walter from getting a new heir is interesting. Not awful, but interesting. Elizabeth clapping for herself is hilarious. Anne maybe being charmed but not sure is an interesting note. Odd.
(I honestly don’t mind the deletion of Miss Smith, since she’s usually only in two scenes, and is mostly used to have Anne be sassy to her dad…but she’s sassy ALL THE TIME in this, so it doesn’t matter)
Anne’s hangover scene is weird. She shouldn’t be that sad at this point. But it is kinda funny.
Gold teacups! And squished onto a sofa with four! Mr. Elliot being present is a nice touch from the book. Hopefully it leads to the Good Company dialogue. And…then we get the octopus. What?????
Some modern Jungian theory from Mr. Elliot. Wut.
The divots in the hat are back. Ugh. And such an odd pelisse for Anne. Shiny blue? And Anne starts to like Mr. Elliot?
Lady Russell and Anne’s exchange about forgiving Lady Russell, and Anne’s grief, nicely done. And the side of the Crescent is a nice spot! Anne in the bath in Bath…not horrible. Very John Chiveryesque.
The rain reflects Anne’s mood. Anne steals Emma’s hat. And I’m a bit irked by Anne being surprised by Captain Wentworth instead of the other way around. Anne feeling that she’s talking to Louisa’s fiance. Wentworth and Elliot measuring swords is ridiculous. The creature discourse is again silly. The concert invite - making Eliot a pure mustache twirling monster. Hilarious. The misunderstanding is stretched out a bit over long, but not bad. Nice looks back at each other.
And no freaking cancelled chapters!
Such a weird satin dress, weird bright pink color. Wentworth and Anne negotiating their fourth contact. Wentworth’s navy plotline returns. And Mr. Elliot continues to twirl his mustache. It’s completely unmotivated. Hilarious, but why??? And the butt grabbing. WHAT? I do really like how they took the Italian thing from this scene and put it through the whole movie as a joke about Mary and Anne’s relationship. Anne crying at the music is a good note. Wentworth suffering jealousy is good. They keep having him and Anne leaving in the middle of the performance. Overly dramatic. They miss the “there is nothing my worth staying for.” Mr. Elliot’s proposal is overly direct, but then, so is Tobias in 07. Both of them are direct but they say “no answer now”. A cheat by the writers.
MOAR BUNNY?
Anne drinking more. With tooth corks. Huh. Mary showing up is again hilarious. And she has a therapist? Anne hiding the wine bottle is funny, though again, odd at this stage. Charles is very nice in this scene. I quite like this Charles.
The reunion is nice - you do get the sense of the Uppercross warmth, though a bit later than in 95. They’ve changed the reason Wentworth is writing - accepting the naval commission back. Anne and Harville: in the actual right place, and with the right person. Harville is really nice. Anne giving a glance at Wentworth is a bit overdone. How did he write the letter so fast????? Anne finding out Louisa and Benwick are together at this stage is an odd timing, but it does help a bit. THE LETTER! They keep the best lines, but add a bunch of stuff in between. A bit annoying, but it’s not the worst. They do another Anne Running Through Bath thing, but it’s not nearly as bad. They do have an overly rushed Mr. Elliot and Mrs. Clay thing, but it does play with the “caught through the window” scene.
Wordless kiss. Long, but nothing like 07. Very awkward song choice. Shoulda just done the piano. Beautifully shot with shallow focus and low angle.
A nice boat transition to Mr. Elliot and Mrs. Clay’s wedding. Odd choice, but it works ok. The church is a nice goodbye to the cast. Voiceover sucks hard, and Lady Russell’s Euro Sex Tours callback is awful. But the transition to the last scene of Anne and Wentworth is very nicely done. They lack a real sense of the war, which is odd. The navy is just a job here. And I like the bookend scene, and the flirting with the sextant and double meaning. Last wink to camera, then kiss. The wedding ring is a nice image to end on, pulling out to the cliffs and sea. Oops, one more wink to camera.
And that’s a wrap. I think on second viewing, it’s the combination of knowing it’s a modern fantasy rather than a period adaptation, plus the strong elements of love and loss that are well placed throughout, that made me enjoy it.