pemberley

I enjoyed this movie very much. Full disclosure, I've been a fan of many involved in this project for years, so I was predisposed to appreciate new material from them. Some of my amusement definitely came from seeing lots of familiar and well-loved faces, as well as references to Amy Elizabeth Tyler's (Ashley Clements) previous career as a vlogger and her "little videos." I have no idea how intentional or coincidental that was on the part of writer/director/costar Brendan Bradley and the story he set out to tell (at most an Easter egg, I think), but it made me happy.

That said, I did also enjoy the film on its own merits. The cast is charming and gave me some real life lol moments. This movie promises a comedy about two people who have come to a crossroads in their lives and challenge each other to grow. It delivers.

There is nothing quite so satisfying as when a novel adaptation is done with both accuracy and finesse. Both can be found in Persuasion. This film manages to convey not only the plot, but also the nuances that Austen infused into the book. The relatively confined lives of women, the parallel between Anne and nature, and the shifts in the balance of society at that time can all be felt as this beautiful love story unfolds.