Persuasion (Netflix)
So this adaptation staring Dakota Johnson and Henry Golding has been given quite a lot of flack recently. Now if you choose to believe it then fine, but seeing as I’ve literally just read the book I thought id weigh in on the film and share some thoughts.
So, we are still in regency England, cool. Period drama etc. cool. But the script is a mix of the Austen works and modern-day millennial pink lingo. Such as “He’s a 10, but I never trust a 10” and other what have yous.
But to get to it. I like Dakota Johnson, but they tried to make her seems dull and boring. You cant make Dakota Johnson dull and boring, no matter how much plain blue muslin you chuck her in. But, I have to admit, that’s what they got right. Anne Elliot (Johnson’s character) is greatly overlooked by the rest of her vain, prideful, and selfish family. What it does for the character in the film is, give her an unwavering sense of humour and magnificent side eyes to the audience. Which basically says “can you believe the bullshit I have to put up with”. Some people don’t seem to like her side-eyed-breaking-the-fourth-wall. But I do, especially when she talk about Mr Elliot’s “charms” which she hasn’t fallen for. Yet. Or maybe it’s the wine?
The best character is Mary. In the book she is a royal pain in the arse. But in the film that honour has been shifted to Elizabeth, who is vain and awfully selfish. She’s also in love with Mr Elliot played by Henry Golding (but more on him later). Mary is honestly the best, she perfectly captures the joie de vivre of Mary in the book and then trebles it to show just how ridiculous Mary really is. Classic younger sibling. Everything must be about her and she absolutely must get away from the little terrors (her children) Does she know where they are? Nope. Does she, out of motherly affection, stay behind when one of them has an accident. Nope she wants to socialise and manipulates Anne into doing it. Otherwise, she’s ‘dying’. Not in the hypochondriac kind of ‘dying’ but the ‘I-WANT-ATTENTION” dying. There is a moment of vulnerability, which momentarily shows that, perhaps she just isn’t good enough… when Anne accidentally announces that Charles (Mary’s husband) proposed to Anne first. Perhaps that’s why she demands attention. Also not cool that Anne did that in front of the in-laws. One because it’s a little degrading knowing that you were second choice but also it only fuels Mary’s ‘woe-is-me’ personality.
Okay, NOW let’s talk about Mr Elliot as played by Henry Golding. Everyone knows henry from his star making role in Crazy Rich Asians. And sure, he plays up the charm in this piece of drama, but he also doesn’t hide how unscrupulous he is. Mr Elliot in the book tries to hide just how much of a bastard he is by wooing Anne with beautiful little compliments that charm Anne’s father more. But as Anne says, “he is a 10, but I never trust a 10”. Lord knows why he wanted to marry Anne. Maybe out of spite? The back and forth between them is fun. Even more so when you know it only fuels the jealousy of Captain Wentworth played by Cosmo Jarvis. which leads me to chat about him. Our romantic lead, our hero of the period. He doesn’t really stand out much to be honest. Oh, don’t get me wrong there are plenty of longing looks, sighing and he pretty damn dapper. However, you could argue that his presence is ultimately boosted by Johnson, especially when she makes an utter fool of herself involving jam and a breadbasket. Bless. He is a quiet man, not one prone to making huge declarations of love and being outlandish in his desires - that’s Mr Elliot. Well, what can I say? It’s always the quiet ones.
I think they had the right idea, just slightly missed the mark in the editing which could’ve been tighter. The ingredients were all there, it just didn’t quite hit the mark. 6/10