Comments on: ‘Persuasion’ 2022 Review: Netflix’s New Jane Austen Movie is Entertaining

By: Amber Topping

Amber Topping — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 23:45:42 +0000

In reply to Juanita Jones. That is a brutal opinion relating to Austen's original novel! But I agree about the adaptations: despite flaws, I like them all, although I like the 2022 one the least.

By: Juanita Jones

Juanita Jones — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 18:31:17 +0000

If I must be brutally honest, nearly every adaptation of “Persuasion” was far from perfect. However, my favorite is the 1971 miniseries. The 1995, 2007 and 2022 all possess flaws that I would consider cringe-worthy, but I still like them all. And as much as I like Austen’s 1818 novel, I think it had some problems – especially in regard to the William Elliot character.

By: Amber Topping

Amber Topping — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 16:49:32 +0000

In reply to Valerie J Warner. You are in for a treat!

By: Amber Topping

Amber Topping — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 16:49:04 +0000

In reply to Tom jenkins. Yeah, I agree. The movie was okay. There are different types of films and that's fine.

By: Tom jenkins

Tom jenkins — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 15:48:59 +0000

A A community theater feel which is not a bad thing. Using your local cast. Community theater uses the races and accents in the area. Even heavy people can have good roles. To bring in “specialist “ to portray accurate historic context and voice accent can seem uppity. I think it good for a big budget studio to go all the way at times. But these community theater type movies have there place. The movie was ok.

By: Valerie J Warner

Valerie J Warner — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 16:01:56 +0000

I have not read Persuasion. I watched the movie and thoroughly enjoyed it for what it was, a movie. Now I have ordered the book and am anxious to read.

By: Amber Topping

Amber Topping — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 16:33:49 +0000

In reply to Donna Rose. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Yeah, this is an adaptation not everyone will like, for sure.

By: Donna Rose

Donna Rose — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 03:19:27 +0000

I thought this new Persuasion was cringe-worthy! It’s a wonderful idea to bring in a new generation of Jane Austen fans, but not at the expense of the novel’s true essence. Anne’s quiet strength is lost in this adaptation. It reminds me of the mess Sanditon was with its crude gags and non-Regency banter. I’m sorry, but the new Persuasion left me cold.

By: Amber Topping

Amber Topping — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 00:21:29 +0000

In reply to Mermaid Scribbler. What a wonderful perspective! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. :)

By: Mermaid Scribbler

Mermaid Scribbler — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 17:29:46 +0000

I agree with your assessment. Spot on! While I was surprised that they muted the angst and shortcut her suffering (my favorite parts of the book), they highlighted parts of the story which usually get very little screen time. As an Austen fan, I enjoyed this new angle.

Anne was sillier, but it did remind me that she was (in the book) so aware of the ridiculousness of her situation. Instead, they presented the transformed Anne of the second-half of the novel, the one who argues the steadfastness of women with Benwick, the one who is excited and confused by Mr. Elliot, the one determined to choose love and herself, and the one who is prepared to defy her family no matter the consequences.

The writers pairing of modern dialog with classic settings served to rip away the veil between my knowledge of the story and my modern experience with self-doubt and heartbreak. It felt like a step was removed in translating past to present, and the music added to this feeling, too. I expected typical period pieces (or modern pieces with period instruments), but this score captured the fresh perspective.

Agreed that the octopus dream was awful, and missteps were made. The letter definitely lost some of its dramatic punch. However, in the end, it gave me back this beloved Austen in an unexpected way. It felt like turning a prism and seeing new colors refracted from a different angle. As an Austen fan, it was a welcome sight.