Persuasion (2007)

Persuasion (2007 TV Movie) is a BBC production directed by Adrian Shergold. Sally Hawkins plays Anne Elliott. (Yes, the same actor that we saw ten years later in The Shape of Water.) Eight years before the novel begins, Anne was in love with a young British naval officer--Frederick Wentworth portrayed by Rupert Penry-Jones.At the time, Anne was persuaded to reject Wentworth, because her father is a baronet and he was a penniless young man. Now he has returned as Captain Wentworth. He's rich because of booty won in the Napoleonic Wars. However, Anne and her family have fallen on hard times, because her father insists that, as a noble, he has to spend his money freely. The question raised by Austen is whether Anne can regain Wentworth's love.This is a 90-minute movie, not a miniseries. Naturally, the plot is pared down to its basics. However, this version definitely worked for me.The lead actors were superb, the supporting cast was excellent, and production values were high. We saw the film on DVD. It would surely work better on the large screen, because of the beautiful British scenery and the glorious costumes.This film has an excellent IMDb rating of 7.6. If you're a Jane Austen fan, you've probably seen it already. If you haven't seen it, it's a must. Even if you don't particularly like Jane Austen, I still highly recommend this movie. It's a gem--don't miss it.

It is difficult to emphasise how good this adaptation of Persuasion is - and it IS very, very good - without comparing it to the earlier 1997 version.Firstly, however, it is excellent in its own right. The performance of Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliott is flawless as she exudes a lovable warmth whilst also appearing desperately depressed and consumed with regret at her having rejected Captain Wentworth all those years ago. Some people dislike the end scene which features a long pre-kiss shot of Anne leaning forward waiting for Wentworth to meet her halfway to kiss. Without saying to those people who dislike this scene, "you just don't get it", I think that they are missing the beauty and subtlety of this amazing film. Wentworth is a man scorned, hurt deeply by Anne's breaking off their engagement, and her abandonment. In the end of the film, Wentworth is conflicted by his love of Anne, his resentment for her betrayal, and his fragile hope for their future as she again now accepts his offer of marriage - hence, he slowly and thoughtfully leans toward Anne to kiss her.I have watched only half of the 1997 version of Persuasion (the theatrical tone of the film annoyed me), and I have read Austen's novel. I personally found Anne, in the 1997 version, to be extremely blank-faced, lacking charisma (very unlike the character in the novel), and the acting to be really dreadful: the attempts to portray regret and sorrow, which Sally Hawkins does magnificently, just appears perpetually emotionless.Also, there were many deviations in the 1997 version, scenes and even characters added in the film which were not in the book. They didn't even add anything to the story.Now, THIS 2007 version does have some deviations from the novel but the heart and the tone of the film so accurately reflects the tone of the novel that I now find it difficult to distinguish between the two: almost like the TV series of Pride and Prejudice and the book. Anne's sister and father, who are depicted atrociously in the 1997 version and farcically, appear real in this movie, albeit extremely conceited.Finally, the scene in which Anne runs around Bath is THE BEST use of poetic license I have seen in any adaptation. It is not there for no reason. We, at last, see a strong female character who actively pursues her love-interest in this unique period drama. As Anne does similarly in the novel when she lets an eavesdropping Wentworth know that she "loves longest when all hope is gone" whilst in a conversation with his friend. The scene works so well because Anne, of course, is a very strong woman in the novel and this scene gives her some more sense of power and determination in the film.If you're looking for a film with brilliant acting, great script, and uncliched, artistic direction then this 2007 adaption of Persuasion will not disappoint.

I agree with those reviewers who suggest that it is pointless comparing the film adaptations with source novels. I would add that they do not live and die in comparison to previous adaptations either.The acting of the two leads has been criticised for lacking chemistry but I thought that the repression, surely a better title, is a vital part of the story. Here are two people who are afraid of expressing their true feelings.The scene near the end where Anne goes running is her expressing herself. The letter from Wentworth was the same for him. It is a love story of the time and should be viewed as such I think.I enjoyed it. Against my better judgement I agreed to see the BBC adaptation the following evening and will accept that it was better overall. But that doesn't take away the enjoyment that the ITV version can bring.It is a difficult to accept some of the mores from 200 years ago. I felt like kicking Wentworth's beam ends and telling him to act like a man. But then, nice though Anne is, I have to say that she's not the most exciting of heroines. I can accept that part of the story is how a brave and fearless sea captain, fresh from battles with the Spanish and French, can be put onto the back foot by love for a women, and the accepted norms of society, but even so one does feel like shaking him at times. My wife reckons he's the best looking Wentworth ever (a bit like a younger me she said but modesty forbids me to repeat it.) The camera-work was intrusive. In the opening scenes, with Anne running around, reflected at the end of the adaptation, I could see the point of hand held but it did get in the way at other times. And long lingering looks do not do it for me unless there is some deep need for them.An interesting take on a well established favourite so a brave attempt.The adaptation is well worth the few pounds the DVD costs. The only advice I'd give is to see it before the BBC one.6 stars might be seen as a little harsh but it is not a classic.

I love Jane Austen's work, so I actually say with a heavy heart how disappointing this Persuasion was. Especially considering that 1995's Pride and Prejudice(in my opinion the ultimate Jane Austen adaptation), 1995's Sense and Sensibility, 2009's Emma and 1995's Persuasion have proved to be solid adaptations and succeed beautifully on their own merits.This adaptation of Persuasion isn't without redeeming values. The scenery and costumes are stunning and evocative complete with a melancholic atmosphere, the music is understated and beautiful and Anthony Head and Tobias Menzies are excellent and charismatic.On the other hand, the camera work is dizzying, the close-ups of Anne's face annoyed me after a while and it is annoying that when more than one person is talking not all of them are shown on screen. The adaptation is too short at two hours and consequently felt rushed so that we felt nothing for the characters or felt any passion coming out from the story.When it comes to the dialogue it was lacking the wit, poignancy and humour of the language of Austen, alternatively it didn't flow from line to line complete with some unintentionally funny moments such as Anne chasing Wentworth down the street, a somewhat modernised touch that stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the adaptation.Head and Menzies aside, the rest of the performances are disappointing. I love Rupert Penry Jones, but apart from his handsome looks I found him dull and wooden. Sally Hawkins fares better, her interpretation is confident, though she is let down by bad direction and the decision to make Anne spoilt rather than resourceful. The Musgroves are sadly underused while Amanda Hale is awful as Mary, acting as though she was in a completely different period.In conclusion, disappointing and one of my least favourite Austen adaptations, and this is coming from somebody who didn't think much of 1999's Mansfield Park(not yet seen the 2007 one) either. 3/10 Bethany Cox