Persuasión

If you want to be talked to thru a movie this is your perfect cup of tea. If you enjoyed Jane Austen's books and previous film versions of Persuasion do not even watch. I am so disappointed. I have been waiting, waiting, and so excited for this new edition to come out on Netflix. I realize they had to try and put it more into modern times, but this is just a total fail! Rupert and Sally played this so so well. If you are there in the movie glued to the tv they did their job. They did. This version DID NOT! No. No. No.

If you loved the novel or are a purist, stop now and find another film.

This one has major changes and the main character has the tendency to tell you the story (literally, eyes into the camera) rather letting the performance show what the plot is about.

On the positive side, the camera work is beautiful. The score uplifting. And I'd say the cast did quite well, given the script they got.

However, no amount of Netflix money can cover the odd anachronisms and weak story telling that drop a classic to only slightly above average.

If you have good source material, why do this? Or at least if you want to experiment, do it right?

Okay, I did it! I finished watching the whole Persuasion. And I'm trying - really trying - to say something nice about it, but... I can't. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't an adaptation of Persuasion. Because... really the only thing the movie and the book have in common is the NAMES of the characters. I wasn't expecting anything and yet I'm so very disappointed. Why is Anne acting like Lizzy? Why is she so sarcastic? And (for God's sake) an alcoholic? Why does she have her hair down for half the movie? Why is she just swimming around in clothes in the sea? And the clothes are supposed to be from what era?

How can anyone even call THAT a Persuasion? It's my favorite book. Melancholy, painful, romantic. The movie is cheesy, awkward and cring. I have no words.

I give it 3/10 (two for Mary, she was hilarious and one for Henry Golding).

Persuasion by Jane Austen is one of my favorite books....this movie is so loosely based on the book that it makes me sad to think that new viewers may think that this is what Jane intended.... Anne Elliott is completely mischaracterized.... Dakota Johnson is not Anne Elliott.... Anne would never drink out of a wine bottle.... Yuck...

If you're going into this movie expecting a true adaptation of Jane Austen's Persuasion, you will probably be disappointed. However, on its own it's a nice movie. Not something I immediately want to rewatch, but especially for a Netflix movie it's perfectly enjoyable.