Persuasion (2022)

Overall critics are rejecting this take on retelling Jane Austin's final novel but I want to stand up for it. Certainly the film makers decided to take a rollicking approach to this tale of love lost and refound and perhaps the film's rom-com sensibilities are turning off the literary snobs. But when this was done with Emma in 1996 people ate it up. So instead of being opposed to the way the film has fun with the story I decided to embrace it and in doing so I had a lot of fun too. 

In this adaptation Anne speaks directly to us as the everywoman character modern audiences relate to and it is through her we see the joys and pains of falling in love and the awkwardness of it all. Johnson does this very well and is delightful to watch. She is really becoming one of the most enjoyable screen presences and here she is captivating. Her pairing with the lovely Jarvis is the kind that make for great screen chemistry. 

Richard E Grant is here for delicious comic relief but that doesn't mean he lowers himself to buffoonary. He elevates his scenes as he is known to do and infused each with an amazing comedic magic. I enjoyed it very much when he made his appearances. 

Yes the script is witty and irreverent and there were many moments that made me laugh out loud. That appears to be a mortal sin for some but for me it just hooked me more. And this also doesn't stop the screenplay from finding lovely little moments of sadness and reflection as well. I disagree with the critics who say the themes of the book are not there. I feel the film touches on the melancholy, the power exerted to convince people to make choices, life in the periphery of the upper classes. It just does so in a way that manages to be playful too. 

So yes this Persuasion is light and fluffy but it is charming and lovely and I don't see anything wrong with that. 

Persuasion 

Starring: Dakota Johnson, Cosmo Jarvis, Henry Golding, Richard E Grant, Nikki Amuka-Bird

Director: Carrie Cracknell

Writers: Ronald Bass, Alice VIctoria Winslow