Wuthering Heights

Being somewhat (!) obsessed with the novel, I've watched every adaption of it going and this is undoubtedly my favourite. It fully captures the darkness and moodiness of the novel and the almost painful love between Cathy and Heathcliff.

Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley have incredible chemistry in their roles, which isn't surprising since they were falling for each other in real life (and unlike Cathy and Heathcliff, they are still together, yay!). Their emotion and passion for each other really comes through, and it makes their complicated love story so much more believable. We can truly see how they are better together, terrible apart.

Aside from the leads, the supporting cast are excellent - particularly Nelly, Edgar, and Hindley. The scenery is spectacular, showing the beautiful wild of the moors. The script is a much condensed but fairly faithful version of the novel. In short, I loved this adaptation the minute I watched it and having watched it 11 years after its release, I loved it just as much.

Tom Hardy deserves his Heathcliff. It is an obvious truth and this film represents the right proof. Charlotte Riley has the science to use the traits of Catherine in inspired and, in few scenes, magnificent manner. It is a wise adaptation. Modern, off course, faithfull to the spirit of novel more than to its letter, but giving the reasonable answers to the admirers of Emily Bronte novel. In clear and precise manner. So, more than a good adaptation. Because it propose a beautiful construction of plot and admirable hero but who is , more than in other adaptations, defined by his past experiences more by the pink feelings or irrational angry. Tom Hardy deserves his Heathcliff. And Charlotte Riley knows, more than imperial Merle Oberon of sweet Juliette Binoche , to give the expected Catherine Linton , seductive, charming, cruel, selfish, enloved. Another virtue - Sarah Lancashire as Nelly. And the science to propose more than a portrait of lead couple but a new, seductive, lecture.A beautiful film. About a world, its choices, its deep roots of tragedy.

Yes, I have seen several versions of Wuthering Heights, the 1939 version holding a special place in my heart. But this adaptation caught me from the opening credits and did not let go long after it ended. This is not your grandma's Wuthering Heights, let's put it that way. It's dark, deadly, and haunting. Much credit for the success of this version goes to Tom Hardy as Heathcliff. Hardy's range as an actor gives new depth to Bronte's anti-hero. You see what a great man he could have become if not for Hindley's torturous treatment of him and Cathy's snobbish refusals. The scenes with Heathcliff and Cathy as young lovers are beautiful and true -- the chemistry between these two actors is scorching. But once Heathcliff turns down the road of cruelty and revenge, it's a slippery slope. Hardy's deep voice and stealth mannerisms give you the impression of a tiger waiting to strike. What I really liked in this version was Charlotte Riley's portrayal of Cathy. She isn't a tantrum-throwing caricature. She gives Cathy a likable earthiness that we can identify with even as she makes dreadful choices. The score, the cinematography, the secondary characters, everything is perfect. It may not be for everyone, but this adaptation is one that does the novel justice.

I loved this version. Tom Hardy is a genius, and his Heathcliff has stayed with me long after the film finished. Charlotte Riley is also very good, as are the other cast members. I've read the comments about Heathcliff and Cathy having sex, and this being a diversion from the original book, however, Emily Bronte makes it clear in her text that Heathcliff and Cathy spend many unsupervised hours on the moors together. This in itself was shocking in the days when every unmarried young lady required a chaperone, but I think Emily was leaving it up to us, the readers, to decide what Heathcliff and Cathy did with their time together. I think the interpretation in this film is a valid one. Tom Hardy's musings at the end, on his life, and on the possible futility of his revenge were very convincing and haunting. This is a film you won't forget in a hurry.

There have been several adaptations over the years, for my money, this is the best of them all. The novel is a mix of tragedy and love, almost every minute of this version gives you an intertwined intensity of both, the deep and destructive passion between Heathcliff and Cathy.

What I liked most of all, the cast, without being unkind, it felt like a very modern cast, Tom Hardy, Andrew Lincoln, Charlotte Riley and a few others, not necessarily the first names I'd choose for a costume drama of this sort. All however are perfect, no wonder we all love Tom Hardy, he is sensational, an epic mix of villain and dashing hero, that intensity with Riley is clearly visible.

I'd put the likes of Sarah Lancashire and Burn Gorman as actors perfect for costume drama, they just fit somehow.

Glorious production values, it looks incredible, the accompanying music fits the bill, and nobody can argue that the atmosphere is very much there.

Loved it, 9/10.