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Movie adaptations of Jane Austen's classic novels were all the rage (relatively speaking) in the mid-1990s. Clueless updated Austen's Emma, which was more conventionally adapted in another version (Emma) starring Gwyneth Paltrow. Emma was produced yet again, this time for British television, as were a celebrated miniseries of Pride and Prejudice and this splendid film of Austen's Persuasion. Persuasion is the story of a love that survives eight years of dormancy and the frustrating obstacles of class prejudice in 19th century England. Anne (Amanda Root) is captivated when she meets the dignified naval officer Capt. Wentworth (Ciarán Hinds), but she is advised to discourage his romantic overtures because he has no fortune. They meet again eight years later, but now Capt. Wentworth has become wealthy while Anne's father is in reduced circumstances in the wake of reckless extravagance. A series of circumstances ensue which prevent Anne and Wentworth from expressing their mutual and inevitable love. The film's success depends entirely on the subtle, superb performances of Root and Hinds. The film builds slowly, occasionally leaving you wondering if anything at all is going to happen. When it does, you realize how carefully crafted a film this is, and the final result is grandly rewarding. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Persuasion trumps Pride and Prejudice (2008-03-14)  This movie is more romantic than Pride, and I'm a big P&P fan! Even when you compare the books... The two leads in this movie were believable, sincere, and oh so romantic. Stick-thin Hollywood misses and heart-throb of the year don't do justice to Austin's work. A must own! And the scene when they finally get together? You have to see it to know what REAL, emotional acting is all about.
quiet and touching (2006-04-22)  Amanda Root is a real delight in this version of Jane Austen's novel. She seems mousy at first, but clearly shows spirit and confidence as the movie progresses. Ciaran Hinds seems a bit old and world-weary as Wentworth, but on the other hand, perhaps his naval experience (and disappointment in love) makes this believable. Sophie Thompson as the grumpy Mary and Fiona Shaw as the vigorous Mrs. Croft also stand out. One very unsatisfactory aspect is towards the end: the filmmakers combine the scenes from Austen's actual final chapters with a scene from a first-draft final chapter that was later deleted. The scene in question is the one where Wentworth brings Anne the message from Admiral Croft about whether she wants him to move out when she marries Mr. Elliott. This scene seems very contrived, as Austen no doubt realized when she removed that section and wrote a new ending. Therefore it seems silly for the filmmakers to put that scene in, when it is so unsatisfactory and unlikely. (Admiral Croft would likely have written a letter or come to talk to Anne--or her father-- himself rather than give Wentworth such an indelicate mission.) Otherwise though this is a quiet, touching movie, very well-acted.
Romance at its best! (2004-08-06) This is a wonderful story of young love lost and then found again. Anne once loved Capt. Wentworth, but was persuaded by her family, and a family confidant, that he was not worthy of her because he had no money and social status. He goes off to sea, rejected by Anne. She remains a spinster. Meanwhile, her father spends the family into a much reduced state of splendour. When Capt. Wentworth returns he is the good catch, but he does his best to ignore Anne and semingly sets his sights on another. Because this is the 19th century, she can only pine for him in silence...and the looks they give each other just melt your heart!So - Is she persuaded a second time to reject him or will true love conquer all?I first saw this in a video store which then went out of business. I went to the sale expressly to buy this one video. It was gone! So, I was thrilled to find it here on DVD and have bought it, watched it and will continue to cherish it. It also taught me to really enjoy Cirian Hinds. He is just a great actor. He is also wonderul in Jane Eyre!
A gem (2004-07-14) This movie is not only the best film adaptation of a Jane Austen novel, it's also a wonderful film in its own right. What did I love about it? 1) It isn't stuffy and unnatural. The characters sound human when they speak; you can imagine that this is how people spoke in the 19th century - not like pompous orators, but like real people. The world surrounding the characters isn't overly polished or brightly lit; again, there's a natural, "lived-in" feeling to all the buildings and landscapes; they do not look like they came out of a glossy postcard. 2) The performances. I don't have enough praise for Amanda Root, who plays Anne Elliot, a woman whose marriage prospects are slim to nil, and who has just been thrown into the company of a man whom she rejected years ago. Root can speak volumes just with her eyes, and everything about her fits perfectly with the gentle, wry and intelligent Anne Elliot. As Captain Wentworth, Ciaran Hinds is also great; he disappears into the character. Both actors aren't conventionally beautiful or handsome either; Root in particular blossoms before the viewers eyes - at first she's very faded and quiet, and then we (like Wentworth) see her spirit shine out. In addition to Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds, the rest of the cast also do a wonderful job. Perhaps because there aren't any big name actors, we can get totally immersed in the film. 3) It's true to Austen. There's subtle humor, real human feeling, and a keen understanding of human nature. It's an unforgettable love story. 4) The kiss. One kiss - perfectly timed, perfectly executed... you will melt. 5) The soundtrack. This holds true particularly for the assembly at Bath, and the Italian vocal pieces.
The DVD made me buy the book (2004-07-01) I have always been a Jane Austen fan, but never read this particular book. Very well acted, and contains the sentiments of the book. Would definately recommend
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