By Jeanette Perez
Graphic by Maya Uribe
“You lied to me when you told me time would heal me of my pain.”
“You’re angry with me?”
“I’m angry with myself, for being persuaded.”
Could true love exist in a world where one is stranger to their own desires? Soul searching and mastering the gift of discernment will set Anne Elliot free. Netflix’s 2022 adaptation of Persuasion offers a unique twist on Jane Austen’s masterpiece, exploring themes of marriage, family and self-actualization.
Having gone through an agonizing eight years separated from her true love, Ms. Elliot has developed an exasperated perspective of life. Participating in mundane activities that fill the void has kept her afloat for some time, but will this distraction be of use when her true love makes his way back around?
Netflix’s adaptation offers a rich dialogue between the characters, embodying that of the romantic era literature. Their formal way of speaking to one another captures a perfect mix of humor and emotion, allowing us to gather the ways that Austen interpreted sensibility and passion: “You piece my soul. I am half agony, half hope” said Austen. If you enjoy modern interpretations of classic work, this contemporary film will have you completely immersed.
The plots central themes of marriage and societal status give the viewers a glimpse into 18th-century views and social values. While Austen’s work mostly centered around domestic life and status, the film captures the essence of her perspective of the world around her, emphasizing the need for passion and empathy in one’s life.
The adaptation takes place in Bath, England, with beautiful cinematography encapsulating the novel’s geographical location. Long walks through the large green fields, woods and the beach highlight moments of great scenery and exploration within the characters’ interactions. Given that the characters were mostly women in the film, it shows us how the sum of their time was spent in a period where women were confined to certain roles in a community. Their stylistic approach to the film was also a mere reflection of 18-century aesthetic elements with women wearing evening gowns, embroidered vibrant colors, and the menswear consisting of suits and trenchcoats, capturing the beauty of traditional stylistic expression.
The simplistic nature of carriages and horses as a central means of transportation also suggests the story’s historical appeal to the viewer, as vehicles had not yet been invented around this time period.
What stood out to me the most was the way screenwriters prioritized the use of appropriate language to represent Austen’s rhetorical devices on screen. The use of dramatic irony and imagery leaves the audience with a clear distinction between the character’s emotional state and physical reality.
In fact, one of the most interesting aspects of their screenwriting seemed to be that of Elliot’s interaction with the screen. This technique not only captures moments of comedic value to the film’s overall delivery, it also works to highlight ironic moments in Elliot’s life, most of which seem to emphasize her emotions and concerns.
This technique, often referred to as “breaking the fourth wall” intentionally engages an interaction between the protagonist and the audience to address an obvious situation in the film. In a way, this technique allows the audience to get a better understanding of the events that are unfolding right before our eyes. With this technique in mind, the audience can better discern Elliot’s emotional reactions to the events unfolding, giving the viewer a sense of empathetic value to her emotional turmoil.
The protagonist in the film offers a transformative perspective of an individual who has matured throughout her life. Having made the mistake of being persuaded toward an estranged life-changing decision, she learns throughout the film that the right answer lies within yourself. After eight years of self-loathing and regret, Elliot has learned the true meaning of discernment and prioritizing her personal needs over what people want for her. This transformative perspective is beautifully transcended through Dakota Johnson’s character adaptation, delivering the true purpose of the protagonist’s role in the film: trusting your intuition.
