“All the privilege I claim for my own sex (it is not a very enviable
one; you need not covet it), is that of loving longest, when existence
or when hope is gone.”
Anne to Captain Harville
Persuasion, volume 2, chapter 11
I’ve posted some thoughts on the movie over at Following Austen. I wanted to love it, but didn’t. Would love to know what you thought.
The Jane Austen Guide to Life: Thoughtful Lessons for the Modern Woman (May, 2012)
A Walk with Jane Austen: A Journey into Adventure, Love, and Faith
I was incredibly disappointed with this version of Persuasion. I love the character of Anne Elliot because even with her heartbreak and her difficult family, she was strong. This Anne was plain, weak and weepy. I couldn’t see her as someone whom Captain Wentworth could have loved, let alone been angry at. The big bosom-heaving kiss at the end was funny, not romantic and certainly not appropriate to the time. All the running back and forth that she did was a waste of time and then to have her stand all out of breath and lip wiggly was pathetic, not romantic.
I absolutely adore the 1995 version of Persuasion with Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root. So, much richer and fuller of an adaptation. Anne starts out a little worn and plain, but by the end of the film she’s stunning. As she blossoms and comes into her own, you see it happen on screen and it made the film so much better. I did prefer Anthony Head’s Sir Walter in this new version, because he captured the utter meanness of the man, not simply his vanity. But, overall, this film is a waste of my time.
I love the beautiful story of love’s second chances in Persuasion, if only they could capture it better in this latest adaptation.
I agree that the running around in this movie is such a waste and after all they went through, the utterly awkward kiss just didn’t do justice! Still I like Rupert Penry-Jones’ portrayal of Wentworth, he’s hunky yet with a tender, melancholy side. Sally Hawkins was okay in some scenes, but terrible in others. But the biggest fault I think is the script! If only they could’ve just used the 1995 adaptation’s script for this one, the actors would’ve had more to work with.