Persuasion.
This post is public.
If I don't do it now I'll never write my opinion. So for anyone who cares...
Anne looked like a wreck throughout this entire film. I'm sure the woman playing the role is pretty enough in real life, but not in this film. She often appeared stressed, timid and anxious. I freely admit, I've only read Persuasion once, but I always got the sense Anne was more comfortable with herself by the age of 27, not that she was comfortable with her family or her past decisions, but sort of resigned to live with her decisions. She seemed to hesitate every time she spoke. I was often on edge in scenes with her. She had a bit of Fanny Price about her, but more likable. I thought at the beginning, she would slowly become prettier as she was being portrayed as quite exhausted, but no... she just seemed so tense the whole time.
Because of all this, I felt more pity than empathy. It did seem rather a far stretch that he would love her again from her point of view. She was still obviously incredibly in love, she was quite convincing in that! And who wouldn't be? Rupert Penry-Jones was Yummy with a capital Y. Far too yummy for Wentworth. So, my critique was that I thought Anne should have been more attractive (I do believe the book mentions she'd improved with age unlike her sisters but those who know it better could correct me), and Wentworth less.
I liked the rest of the casting especially Charles Musgrove. The Elliots and the rest of the Musgroves were all well-cast, loved the father and Elizabeth especially. There was very little Lady Russell, and somehow I'd always pictured her older.
As a film in and of itself, it worked until the last part. I had read a few comments about that and now I understand. Frankly, I thought that "climatic" section was terribly done... not about where she got the letter... but the running! I think it was meant to be angsty, but it was so over-the-top, it was comedic... inappropriately comedic. And then the kiss on the street, again, too much delay to the point they lost me... both parts, I kept thinking, "get on with it" because you're drawing out these moments way too much and it's losing its effectiveness.
Do I sound a wee bit negative? LOL It wasn't a waste of my time, if I hadn't read the book, I think I would have seen it as the "ugly girl gets the handsome guy" type of romance. It lacked depth, but what to do in an hour and a half?
I also don't remember from the book... was Louisa just saying Charles had proposed to Anne? That was never resolved... maybe it wasn't in the book either.
Overall, a nice tv movie, but the leads were miscast (though I didn't mind Wentworth being miscast!) and the climax, instead of making me squee, left me wanting.
Haven't seen the film version so don't ask me to compare! Off to bed.
If I don't do it now I'll never write my opinion. So for anyone who cares...
Anne looked like a wreck throughout this entire film. I'm sure the woman playing the role is pretty enough in real life, but not in this film. She often appeared stressed, timid and anxious. I freely admit, I've only read Persuasion once, but I always got the sense Anne was more comfortable with herself by the age of 27, not that she was comfortable with her family or her past decisions, but sort of resigned to live with her decisions. She seemed to hesitate every time she spoke. I was often on edge in scenes with her. She had a bit of Fanny Price about her, but more likable. I thought at the beginning, she would slowly become prettier as she was being portrayed as quite exhausted, but no... she just seemed so tense the whole time.
Because of all this, I felt more pity than empathy. It did seem rather a far stretch that he would love her again from her point of view. She was still obviously incredibly in love, she was quite convincing in that! And who wouldn't be? Rupert Penry-Jones was Yummy with a capital Y. Far too yummy for Wentworth. So, my critique was that I thought Anne should have been more attractive (I do believe the book mentions she'd improved with age unlike her sisters but those who know it better could correct me), and Wentworth less.
I liked the rest of the casting especially Charles Musgrove. The Elliots and the rest of the Musgroves were all well-cast, loved the father and Elizabeth especially. There was very little Lady Russell, and somehow I'd always pictured her older.
As a film in and of itself, it worked until the last part. I had read a few comments about that and now I understand. Frankly, I thought that "climatic" section was terribly done... not about where she got the letter... but the running! I think it was meant to be angsty, but it was so over-the-top, it was comedic... inappropriately comedic. And then the kiss on the street, again, too much delay to the point they lost me... both parts, I kept thinking, "get on with it" because you're drawing out these moments way too much and it's losing its effectiveness.
Do I sound a wee bit negative? LOL It wasn't a waste of my time, if I hadn't read the book, I think I would have seen it as the "ugly girl gets the handsome guy" type of romance. It lacked depth, but what to do in an hour and a half?
I also don't remember from the book... was Louisa just saying Charles had proposed to Anne? That was never resolved... maybe it wasn't in the book either.
Overall, a nice tv movie, but the leads were miscast (though I didn't mind Wentworth being miscast!) and the climax, instead of making me squee, left me wanting.
Haven't seen the film version so don't ask me to compare! Off to bed.