Persuasion (2022)

Persuasion is a 2022 American romantic drama film directed by Carrie Cracknel and based on the novel of the same name by Jane Austen. It stars Dakota Johnson, Cosmo Jarvis, Nikki Amuka Bird, Mia McKenna Bruce, Richard E. Grant and Henry Golding. 

The story follows Anne Elliot when Frederick Wentworth – the one who got away – comes back into her life, she most choose between putting her past behind her or going with her heart for a second chance. 

Anne Elliot, an Englishwoman of 27, who family moves to lower their payments and lower their debt by renting their home to an admiral and his wife. The Captain Frederick Wentworth, was engaged to Anne in 1806, but their engagement was broken when Anne was convinced by family and friends to end the relationship. Ane and Captain  Wentworth, both single meet again after seven years of seperation, setting the scene for a second chance at love and mariage and many humorous meetings. 

Sometimes changing up well known stories works and sometimes it doesn’t. This film follows the story to extent but adds so much unnecessary stuff that it is hard to watch for the majority of the movie. It add humor and no Austen story is that humorous. There is also lots of drinking of red wine, lying around in bed and crying in the tub. She breaks the fouth in a “Fleabag” sort of style, making the character that was written as shy and introverted seem more talkative and extroverted. 

Dakota Johnson’s Anne Elliot is for prettier than character is supposed to be as Austen had written that Anne was once beautiful but at 27, her beauty is fading and she is nothing but plain at best. Dakota is anything but plain. Also many of the costumes are not 19th century British-esque, nor are many of the hairstyles. Much of this film feels rather satirical than a serious romantic drama. 

I’m not racist by any means and I understand that the director, casting director and producers didn’t want to come off as racist and such, but that just goes against everything Austen wrote and untrue to actual history. There were no black or half black, Asian or half Asian characters in any of her books and maybe she was racist (who knows), also her books were written as romantic dramas with very little humor. 

Captain Wentworth tries to win Anne back many times and she rebuffs him until he gives up until the end. Charles Mugrove Jr., heir to the Musgrove estate, first proposes to Anne and the tells him she doesn’t truly love him. He ends up marrying Anne’s sister Mary. After learning that Anne turned Charles down, Wentworth tries to win her over again. 

Mia McKenna Bruce is great as Anne’s dull and vain sister Mary. Newcomer Nia Towle brings a liveliness to the role to Anne’s sister in law Louisa, making the film seem more like a really long episode of Bridgerton than an adaptation of a Jane Austen novel. Henry Golding does a really good job as Mr. William Elliot, though it’s hard to get past the fact he’s Malaysian-British and hard to get past his good looks. Cosmo Jarvis is excellent as Captain Wentworth and probably the only realistic portrayal in the whole film. 

This like a  “Bridgerton” and “Fleabag” style retelling of an Austen work. It also feels like Shonda Rhimes wrote and directed it after reading just the Cliff Notes of the book. There is far too many differences from the real story and  too much comedy and drinking. The film is far too focused on romance and not enough on the lives of the character like in book. The movie also has a very sexual feel, though there is no sex, closest thing being kissing, one character grabbing a female character by her waist and quite a bit of flirting. 

Overall, this is not only the worst adaptation of a Jane Austen novel, but also a fiasco of a film that should’ve never been made. It is boring, hardly romantic and not the least bit funny. It seems like Netflix will greenlight just about anything these days. 10+ 2.5/5

Adam Sandler has the #1 movie on Netflix and critics are raving about it — BGR

At this point, it’s no exaggeration to note that Adam Sandler — the star of Netflix’s new original movie Hustle — basically has whatever the Hollywood equivalent is of the Midas touch. The pattern is quite familiar by now. He releases a new Netflix movie, for example, and it shoots right to the top of […]

Adam Sandler has the #1 movie on Netflix and critics are raving about it — BGR

The Last Letter From Your Lover (2021)

The Last Letter from Your Lover is a 2021 British romantic drama film directed by Augustine Frizzell, base on Jojo Moyes’ 2012 novel of the same name. It stars Felicity Jones, Callum Turner, Joe Alwyn, Nabhaan Rizwan and Shailene Woodley.’

It modern time, Ellie Haworth, who recently broke up with her long time boyfriend, has to write an article about the recently deceased editor of her paper. Finally getting passed the archivist Rory to access the editor’s archive, she finds a letter to someone called “J,” from “Boot.” Affected by the emotional feelings between the mystery couple, Ellie becomes determined to know the indentities of the couple and how their love story had ended.

In the mid-1960’s, wealthy socialites Jennifer Stirlng and her husband Laurence travel to the French Riviera for a summer vacation. Foreign correspondent Anthony O’Hare comes to interview Laurence at a dinner party. Jennifer overhears Anthony insulting the Stirlings and their indulging lifestyle, causing Anthony to apologize to Jennifer. Anthony invites the Stirlings out to eat the next day, but Laurence is taken away on a sudden business trip, leaving Jennifer and Anthony to spend the summer together until he returns. They start to write letters using pennames “J” and “Boot.” Neither act upon their blossoming chemistry, until Jennifer impulsively tries to kiss him. When he turns away from her, she runs away. Days later, a letter penned by Anthony comes to her, coaxing to her to meet him at Postman’s Park in London. They start a crazy affair, spending time together where can be safely with him.

Romantic drama films involving affairs have been done time after time, some are very well done, others, not so much. This one is different, as is a story within a story, taking place in present day London and 1960’s French Riviera and London. It can be rather slow at times, making it a bit boring, but it never passion, in the today or past settings. There are many really good things about this film. All the stars are equally fantastic in their roles, the soundtrack, cinematography and costumes are all fabulous, fitting film perfectly.

I used to not be a big Shailene Woodley fan until I saw her in this movie and my opinion instantly changed, except I’m not sure whether she’s supposed to be British or not like her two lovers, as her accent is very weak if is supposed to be. She looks beautiful every second of this film, unlike most of her roles where she plays a tomboy. Her looks are very Jackie Kennedy-esque. Woodley has proved she can take on much deeper roles and is far past Divergent, the series that made her a household name.

This movie has the feel of a Bronte, Austen, or Woolf novel and reminds me a bit of the book and film Atonement, which is also a story within a story and features an affair, the only thing is, Your Last Lover probably won’t be nominated for any major awards, as the story is a bit unoriginal. Jojo Moyes is a modern day Austen meets Bronte. She knows how to write romance and stir emotions, maybe not quite as good as her influences, but not half bad either. This story takes you on journeys from the age of the mini-skirt to modern time and does it so well, not spending too much time in either world.

There film is so deep and full of emotion, both good and bad. So many critics are panning this movie, but they don’t see it for its true art. Yes, they spend a lot of time showing Jennifer (Woodley) and Anthony (Turner) making out and making love, but that is really one of the few bad things about this movie. It can be slow at times, like I said as well and maybe there are bit too many affair films, but that’s all. It is still great film otherwise. Don’t let the bad reviews deter you from watching this one.

18+ 4/5