Movie review
Netflix
Regency-era news: “Persuasion” is a refreshment for all “Bridgerton” fans
“Persuasion” is the new film adaptation of Jane Austen on Netflix
© Nick Wall/Netflix © 2021
Netflix seems to have taken a liking to the Regency era after the success of Bridgerton. In the new film “Persuasion” a modern interpretation of the Jane Austen classic “Persuasion” is attempted. However, this does not always work.
There’s food for all “Bridgerton” fans: “Persuasion” is the new film on Netflix, which takes place in the Regency era, i.e. the beginning of the 19th century. The costumes are a bit simpler and instead of spicy sex scenes there are “only” a few tender kisses to be seen. Netflix dares to try the Jane Austen classic “Persuasion”. Fifty Shades of Gray actress Dakota Johnson plays Anne Elliot. At the beginning of the film, Anne is dating young officer Frederick Wentworth, but she is not allowed to marry him because he is not rich enough. Yes, that was quite common back then. So they break up. He goes to sea, is appointed captain – and thus acquires a fortune. Meanwhile, Anne’s family becomes increasingly impoverished due to her father’s lavish lifestyle.
Years later – and that’s when the film really gets going – Frederick returns and is looking for a wife. He doesn’t choose Anne as he’s still hurt by her rejection. Instead, he is now hooking up with women from her environment. The next hour and a half revolve around how Anne and Frederick finally find each other. Typical of Jane Austen’s female characters, Anne is progressive and ahead of her time. Which is sometimes refreshing.
But: It is also a problem. The creators went a bit over the top trying to make the dialogue more contemporary. You’ll hear things like “He’s a 10” coming out of Anne’s mouth when she’s talking about a handsome man. It just seems out of place in the Regency era setting. Ridiculous instead of modern. Even when she says, “We’re worse than strangers: we’re ex-partners,” that also comes across more like plagiarized internet “wisdom” than realistic Austen dialogue.
“Persuasion” on Netflix: Author Jane Austen would be disappointed with the implementation of her work
When addressing the audience directly, it is reminiscent of the hit series “Fleabag” when Anne breaks through the so-called “fourth wall” and talks about her life. Jane Austen should be quite disappointed that it’s all about lovesickness and red wine. If the author saw this film, she would miss the complexity of her character, her subtle humor and the subtle social criticism of the situation at the time. Instead, Netflix turns it into a flat love story.
So if you expect a novel adaptation that will become a classic, you will be disappointed. The language alone is too adapted to the current times for that. But if you want to see a not too exciting love story where you can be sure that the two will get each other in the end (and of course they do here), you can watch the film.