Ah,Jane Austen. The 19th century author has penned some of the world’s most enduring love stories. Austen’s novels have inspired many beloved cinematic adaptations, fromJoe Wright’s sweeping and lushPride and PrejudicetoAutumn de Wilde’s charming and vibrantEmma. One adaptation which has flown under the radar for years, but which continues to stand the test of time, isRoger Michell’s 1995BBCadaptation,Persuasion. StarringAmanda RootandCiarán Hindsin its lead roles,Persuasiontells Austen’s most mature story with beautiful subtlety.
‘Persuasion’ is Jane Austen’s Most Mature Love Story
Roger Michell’sPersuasionis based onJane Austen’s last novelof the same name, published in 1817. The film followsAnne Elliot(Root), a27-year-old who has already been through heartbreak. In contrast, most Austen heroines are in their late teens or early twenties, and have not already experienced romantic love when the novel starts. When she was 19, Anne rejected the marriage proposal of Captain Frederick Wentworth (Hinds) on the grounds of him being penniless. She was persuaded to make this choice by a close family friend, Lady Russell (Susan Fleetwood), and not her own heart. Now, Anne is more jaded and cautious about love. She has grown quieter, and her friends and family remark that she seems melancholy. Unexpectedly,she and Frederick are brought back into each other’s lives 8 years later, and what follows is a beautiful story about second chances and slow burns.
Donald Sutherland Made Jane Austen Even Better With His ‘Pride and Prejudice’ Performance
Donald Sutherland plays Mr. Bennet, the paterfamilias of the Bennet family in Joe Wright’s magnificent 2005 adaptation.
Persuasionhas all the classic elements of a Jane Austen romance–a heroine who is wiser than everyone around her, unbearable family members, and a strong dose of witty humor. One of the best scenes is a montage of family members venting to Anne about each other, and her quietly listening and trying to hide a slightly bemused smile. Even with its humorous elements,Persuasionhas a distinctly autumnal vibe. Anne regrets rejecting Frederick, and her nostalgia for what might have been is complemented by soft, painterly landscapes. The film also features BAFTA-winning costume design by the legendaryAlexandra Byrne. Perhaps because it is quieter than, for instance,Pride and Prejudice,with its two fiery lovers,Persuasionremains avery underratedfilm, and is far superior to the perhaps more well-known 2022PersuasionstarringDakota Johnson.
In ‘Persuasion,’ Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds Convey Longing Like No Other Jane Austen Pair
As with all Jane Austen novels, a love story is at the heart ofPersuasion. Root and Hinds play their characters’ awkward re-acquaintance with great subtlety. Each scene they are in together requires you to pay close attention, because they are bothpainfully aware of each other’s presence, but have no idea how to interact, and mostly avoid directly talking to each other. Meanwhile, they arehanging onto each other’s words. Anne is often the quietest person in the room, whereas Frederick is more of a charming storyteller, but her quiet elegance and thoughtfulness certainly doesn’t go unnoticed by him.
This film explores the silent pain of longing so perfectly. For the careful eye, there are many moments (similar to Darcy’shand flexinPride and Prejudice) that have a passionate undercurrent, even if the characters aren’t allowed to directly express their desire in public. In one, when Anne first meets Frederick again, she grips her chair, a deer-in-the-headlights expression on her face. Any shy person who has had a crush will understand.Persuasionis a reminder that sometimes love doesn’t come in quickly and sweep you off your feet, but rather takes patience and growth, and willall be worth it in the end.
Persuasionis available to watch on Tubi.
Persuasion
