Jane Austen discussion
This topic is about
Persuasion
Austen on Film
>
Persuasion 2007: like it or not? What do you think of Anne's character in the movie?
date
newest »
newest »
I forgot: please write your AGE and COUNTRY of residence at the bottom of your opinion. Your nickname will not be published.Thanks for the help!
Hi Camila! Such a cool topic for a thesis, btw :) I don't know how extensive you want your answers, you should probably clarify that (do you want only yes or no as answers or do you want reasons etc?) - Did you or didn't you like the movie?
I did like it, in the way I like all other Austen adaptations, but there were aspects of it that annoyed me. I liked the Wentworth in it, but some of the narrative devices (Anne talking to the camera) and some of the choices the actress made in her performance were not my favourite. I prefer the other, '90s adaptation, especially when it comes to the portrayal of Anne and the balancing and execution of some of the scenes.
- Have you re-watched it? How many times?
I have re-watched it twice.
- Do you think the movie could be categorised as a "chick flick"?
I think you should probably define what a chick flick is or what you mean by the term. In British English the term has a derogatory connotation, and means a sappy, romantic movie, aimed at women. I don't think it should be categorised as that, and I would think that if someone did they are being very superficial in their judgement of it. It is so much more than just a love story, and appeals to many men (my husband liked it a lot).
I am 27. I am from the UK.
Emily wrote: "Hi Camila! Such a cool topic for a thesis, btw :) I don't know how extensive you want your answers, you should probably clarify that (do you want only yes or no as answers or do you want reasons et..."Thanks Emily! Yes, by "chick flick" I meant the derogatory connotation you mentioned. A romantic film industry for women. I've edited my question in order to check carefully into your opinions about the term. Thanks for the observation.
Hi, Camila! Here are my answers. :)Did you or didn't you like the movie?
I did like it in general but just like Emiliy I did not like certain parts of it (e.g. the actress who plays Anne, I loved the 95 version Anne much better, the too long coming closer for the kiss...). I loved the actor who played Wentworh and the ending was lovely even though it wasn't the book ending.
- Have you rewatch it? How many times?
I believe two or three times
- Why do you think the movie is regarded by some people as a "chick flick"?
I have no idea because it is not a "chick flick".
Age: 27,5 ;) Country: Croatia
Thanks Samanta! I added one question editing the post, would you be so kind of giving me your response? :What do you think of the portrayal of Anne's character in the movie?
Samanta wrote: "I did like it in general but just like Emiliy I did not like certain parts of it (e.g. the actress who plays Anne, I loved the 95 version Anne much better, the too long coming closer for the kiss...)."Argh yes the kiss! I forgot about the kiss! Camila, I don't know how useful this is for your research but the kiss was horrible! :)
Also, they missed some of the crucial scenes from the book, or changed them in a way I didn't like, especially by the end, like Wentworth's letter. The way he gave her that letter in the book was one of my favourite moments in literature altogether and in the movie it was all sort of Hollywood-ized and lost the charm of how subtle and covert it was.
You know what, I will have to go and re-watch it for that. Can I get back to you later on that? How much time do you have?
Samanta wrote: "You know what, I will have to go and re-watch it for that. Can I get back to you later on that? How much time do you have?"Sure!!, don't worry. I still have a hole week left to definately close this chapter :) The movie is uploaded in Youtube btw.
I have it....I'm a movie and book collector :D
Samanta wrote: "I have it....I'm a movie and book collector :D"That's awesome. Sometimes I'd like to make time and enjoy of an all-day JA movies-series marathon!! Thanks Samanta
When you are momentarily unemployed, like I am, you don't have a choice but to do something like that. :D
Camila wrote: "Thanks Samanta! I added one question editing the post, would you be so kind of giving me your response? :What do you think of the portrayal of Anne's character in the movie?"
I have rewatched the movie and I do not exactly remember why I disliked Sally Hawkins so much, but I absolutely hate the way she talks. I know Anne Elliot is quiet and unassuming woman but it does not mean that she has to speak like she has pulmonary problems. You can bearly hear her and you only hear her loud breathing and have to listen hard to hear the words. Also, Sally is just not beautiful enough to me. Sally Hawkings is pretty, with very beautiful eyes, but Anne Elliot is supposed to be beautiful (only her bloom was gone because of so much unhappiness and regret)and Sally is just not it. The 1995 version Anne was also not a great beauty but I liked her more.
Hi, Camila, what an interesting thesis project. These are my personal answers to your question.I watched it once when it first came out, was disappointed, have not watched it again till today, when I skimmed it to refresh my memory.
(1) The portrayal of Anne was anachronistic—especially the public kiss. Is she a London harlot? I think not. Also, I think of her as above all a calm presence, whatever her inner turmoil; and Sally Hawkins’s portrayal seems a little twitchy to me. Finally, she is too forward and proactive throughout.
(2) No, I did not like the adaptation; but I have been disappointed by all the film adaptations of Persuasion. Mostly in this case I dislike the anachronistic elements: the aforesaid boldness, Anne traveling alone to Bath, gentlemen shooting in the country with ladies present. But also, why are most JA adaptations shot in full summer, when most are set in the fall-winter-spring stretch of time? For Persuasion particularly, this seems like a problem, since autumnal scenes and reflections are so central. The erasure of detail and nuance always irritates me, like Mrs. Clay not having freckles and Anne being dressed in, apparently, burlap sacks.
(3) I would be in the camp of saying that this is a chick flick in the derogatory sense, because it employs a lot of standard manipulations to trigger what the filmmakers imagine must be women’s emotions. A sprained ankle, really? Why not go all out with soap-opera melodrama and use amnesia? A lot of the intellectual content of Persuasion is also avoided (though that’s less important in this very emotional novel than it would be with, say, Mansfield Park or Northanger Abbey.
Thanks for including us in your researches! I am 59 years old, from the USA.
Abigail wrote: "Hi, Camila, what an interesting thesis project. These are my personal answers to your question.I watched it once when it first came out, was disappointed, have not watched it again till today, wh..."
great points of view Abigail, thanks!
Samanta wrote: "Camila wrote: "Thanks Samanta! I added one question editing the post, would you be so kind of giving me your response? :What do you think of the portrayal of Anne's character in the movie?"
I hav..."
Thanks Samanta.
- What do you think of the portrayal of the heroine (Anne)?- Did you or didn't you like the movie? (* the extension of the answer is up to you)
- Why do you think the movie is regarded by some people as a "chick flick"?
This is the single worst Jane Austen adaptation and Masterpiece show I have ever seen. They chopped the novel and took out some of the subplot that shapes Anne's decision for her future. They also chopped and moved my favorite chapter, the second to last, which is the most telling and romantic part of the whole novel. Persuasion is my favorite Austen novel. The faded and unapreciated Anne really touched my heart and Frederick Wentworth is a wonderful, but flawed, hero. This production did not do it justice.
Anne was way too skinny and just didn't seem to be Anne to me. I don't even remember her because I refuse to acknowledge this dreadful thing.
I don't know if people think of it as a "chick flick" but Jane Austen is not regarded as serious literature by those who haven't read her. They assume she wrote "chick lit" 1800s style and dismiss her as some frivolous, silly writer and ignore the wit, the humor and complexities that make her novel so special.
QNPoohBear, aged spinster of 36, USA
- What do you think of the portrayal of the heroine (Anne)?The 2007 Anne is not, for me, pretty or dignified enough for the role, though I prefer her (and the rest of the cast) to the 1995 version. I’m inclined to think that her faults are down to production/direction than the actress herself however… she did her best with what she was given.
- Did you or didn't you like the movie? (* the extension of the answer is up to you)
Good question, and the answer isn't as straightforward as it perhaps should be. It started off well enough, and I liked some of the casting better than the 95 version. As it progresses however it gets more and more condensed with odd, seemingly unnecessary changes and rearrangements culminating in the bizarre marathon through the streets of bath where her poor sick friend has to tell her all the things she forgot earlier. It’s that, above anything else, that I remember that film for… it’s terribly out of character and makes it feel rushed, as if they ran out of time to fit everything in.
Having said that, if I don’t have time to watch my favourite version (1972 BBC adaptation with Ann Firbank), I will watch it… every so often I re-watch all the adaptations no matter how bad they were, even if just to remind myself that, yes they really went there. So yes, I sort of liked it, but more as a film based around Persuasion than an adaptation of the novel.
- Why do you think the movie is regarded by some people as a "chick flick"?
I think there’s a tendency to refer to any romance as a chick flick, especially by people who wouldn’t watch them to start with.
Women are sometimes their own worst enemies however, because I know that despite all the depth to the story, the wit, the serious topics, the characters etc in a Jane Austen novel, when asked about adaptations we first compare the men… Which Darcy is your favourite? How well does Captain Wentworth read the famous letter? Brandon or Willoughby? Why wouldn’t a bystander write them off as chick flicks?
And then you have some of the really bad adaptations that positively live up to the image because they’re so far off the book they aren’t good for anything else. (I won’t say which ones I mean in case I start an argument.)
So while I wouldn’t refer to a Jane Austen story as, chick lit… I won’t defend the films against such a title including this one.
Age 36 from England
I personally have never watched it because I don't watch any adaptions under 4 or 5 hours (except NA of which there isn't such a long one) Howevever I see that all my friends here seem to feel as I do so I would like to recommend that you spend you energy on your paper discussing the 1972 film which is excellent Miriam age 64 Israel
- What do you think of the portrayal of the heroine (Anne)?
- Did you or didn't you like the movie? (* the extension of the answer is up to you)
- Why do you think the movie is regarded by some people as a "chick flick"?
Disclaimer: The 1995 version is my absolute favorite.
The 2007 Anne is good in some parts (how used she is by her family and is just so downtrodden comes to mind) but I totally dislike her race through the streets and that slo mo kiss - ugh. No.
So - I really don't like the movie. It was not a good adaptation of the novel. It feels choppy and so much important backstory never makes it to the screen.
I think it has overtones of "chick flick" because of its short length, the way it chops up the story, the way Anne plays right to the camera, and the casting of Rupert Penry Jones as Wentworth. Eye Candy. Nothing wrong with that but....Austen didn't write about eye candy - she wrote about one's character and actions in the world.
Age 57, USA
- Did you or didn't you like the movie? (* the extension of the answer is up to you)
- Why do you think the movie is regarded by some people as a "chick flick"?
Disclaimer: The 1995 version is my absolute favorite.
The 2007 Anne is good in some parts (how used she is by her family and is just so downtrodden comes to mind) but I totally dislike her race through the streets and that slo mo kiss - ugh. No.
So - I really don't like the movie. It was not a good adaptation of the novel. It feels choppy and so much important backstory never makes it to the screen.
I think it has overtones of "chick flick" because of its short length, the way it chops up the story, the way Anne plays right to the camera, and the casting of Rupert Penry Jones as Wentworth. Eye Candy. Nothing wrong with that but....Austen didn't write about eye candy - she wrote about one's character and actions in the world.
Age 57, USA
UGH!My real problem was that I didn't much care for the character of Anne Elliot(Sally Hawkins),I thought she was incredibly dull,and it was totally unbelievable that the 'Drop Dead GORGEOUS'(but his acting here doesn't thrill either)Frederick Wentworth(Rupert Perry-Jones) would have fallen for such a plain Jane,and pined for years for her!I much,much prefer the 1995-Amanda Root,Ciarán Hinds version!
age 63,USA
Mrs wrote: "...I would like to recommend that you spend you energy on your paper discussing the 1972 film which is excellent"I agree completely Miriam.
This discussion inspired me to watch the 2007 film again though... it was much how I remembered it.
Mrs wrote: "I personally have never watched it because I don't watch any adaptions under 4 or 5 hours (except NA of which there isn't such a long one) Howevever I see that all my friends here seem to feel as I..."Megan wrote: "- What do you think of the portrayal of the heroine (Anne)?
- Did you or didn't you like the movie? (* the extension of the answer is up to you)
- Why do you think the movie is regarded by some peo..."
C. wrote: "UGH!My real problem was that I didn't much care for the character of Anne Elliot(Sally Hawkins),I thought she was incredibly dull,and it was totally unbelievable that the 'Drop Dead GORGEOUS'(but h..."
Louise Sparrow wrote: "- What do you think of the portrayal of the heroine (Anne)?
The 2007 Anne is not, for me, pretty or dignified enough for the role, though I prefer her (and the rest of the cast) to the 1995 version..."
Qnpoohbear wrote: "- What do you think of the portrayal of the heroine (Anne)?
- Did you or didn't you like the movie? (* the extension of the answer is up to you)
- Why do you think the movie is regarded by some peo..."
Qnpoohbear wrote: "- What do you think of the portrayal of the heroine (Anne)?
- Did you or didn't you like the movie? (* the extension of the answer is up to you)
- Why do you think the movie is regarded by some peo..."
Thanks all of you for the opinions!I agree with almost everything that has been discussed.I think you will find this fact rather interesting: the contrast between the position of Goodreads Jane Austen community towards the film discussed, and the position of Jane Austen fans communities in social networks such as YouTube and Twitter.
Again, thanks for the opinions!
You might find it interesting then to ask whether they read the book or saw an (and which) adaptation first... it was mentioned on Laurel Ann's site during the P&P discussions last year that whichever version is seen first, though not definitive, tends to have an impact.I do believe if you haven't read a book the film is often much more enjoyable, because you don't realise how much is missing.
There are very different opinions about 2007 tv film Persuasion.
Please answer this three simple questions as you wish:
- What do you think of the portrayal of the heroine (Anne)?
- Did you or didn't you like the movie? (* the extension of the answer is up to you)
- Why do you think the movie is regarded by some people as a "chick flick"?
I have seen the movie many times by the way, thanks for the help.
Camila.