Persuasion Review: A Revamped Adaptation of Jane Austen With Dakota Johnson

Starring: Dakota Johnson, Cosmo Jarvis, Nikki Amuka-Bird

Director: Carrie Cracknell

Streaming Platform: Netflix

Filmyhype.com Ratings: 3/5 (three stars) [yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

The adaptations of classic novels are already a faithful ally for Netflix and now, one more has arrived to join the catalog: Persuasion. This film, which opens on, July 15, is one of the first adaptations of Jane Austen’s last posthumous novel. The British writer who revolutionized the publishing world was made into a movie on more than one occasion and now the streaming giant is reviving her to bring this story directed by Carrie Cracknell. Persuasion, the homonymous adaptation of the novel created by the writer Jane Austen arrives this weekend at our homes from Netflix. Dakota Johnson stars in the film directed by Carrie Cracknell, who makes her screen debut with this production.

Persuasion Review: The Story

Jane Austen is a writer who never goes out of style due to the fascination that her stories generate in the public and, with Persuasion, she could not be the exception. This novel tells the life of Anne Elliot, a young woman who lives with a presumptuous family and is on the verge of bankruptcy. She, for her part, is sad and frustrated after being forced to abandon her great love, Frederick Wentworth, because of her different social class.

But eight years later, Wentworth returns as a respected, single, millionaire captain to meet Anne again. And, during this, she must choose between giving love a second chance or saving her family. Undoubtedly, it is a moving story in which sadness and desolation are the protagonists, which makes it one of Jane Austen’s most serious works. However, in the adaptation of it, Cracknell blurred this drama to turn it into a romantic comedy that combines drama, but without abusing these three genres.

And, it should be noted, that this is one of the great successes of the Persuasion film. Well, behind is the representation of a submissive woman frustrated by heartbreak or the obligation to marry, but Carrie Cracknell found a way to capture a contemporary protagonist of modern times, turning her into a feminist heroine. In any case, the truth is that this decision of the creator would not have been possible without the great work of Dakota Johnson.

Dakota Johnson, who puts herself in the shoes of Anne Elliot, represents an empowered woman with whom it is easy to connect. Although in certain aspects she shows her desolation, the truth is that this character in the film is a reflection of the feminist freedom that is lived today, but that is simply adapted to the time in which the story is told. On the other hand, the production has been very successful in making the protagonist break the fourth wall by interacting with the viewers.

Persuasion Review and Analysis

Without having been able to enjoy the pages of the novel written by Jane Austen, I can guess the amount of material that the public will miss. Especially those talks so banal that abound in his narratives and that they like so much. Although it is true, it has the characteristics that made Persuasion a different reading than the others. The third-person narrative is maintained, so that Dakota Johnson will break the fourth wall by speaking directly to us, simulating the omniscient voice that only the viewer will hear. The film continues to bet on reflecting all this hypocrisy and selfishness to perfection that the author emphasized so much in her novel, especially with the unbearable character of Mary Elliot (Mia McKenna-Bruce).

The importance of highlighting the thoughts of Anne Elliot remains one of the essential elements. On a few occasions, we have encountered characters who acted erratically without giving us a chance to explore what was on their minds. With Anne, Jane lets us explore our protagonist’s reasoning, making her more human and with whom we forge a much more emotional bond. Persuasion’s problem comes with its narrative pace. A detailed and extensive introduction of the characters with little interaction between them that can become somewhat heavy and very interesting development of the events that keep us in suspense but that ends precipitously with an ending that perhaps they should have taken the trouble to build with more detail.

As for the rest of the cast, they are all a good complement for the development of Persuasion and as the film progresses, it is understood what aspect they touch at certain points in the story. But, as if this were not enough, it should be mentioned that the new Netflix original film has a high level of production. Being a period film, it is important to have a good setting and characterization of the characters, something that they have achieved.

Persuasion Review: The Last Words

In any case, we must bear in mind that in terms of script Persuasion breaks with the intellectual structure that has always characterized the works of Jane Austen. However, this is because the director’s idea of ​​adapting the novel into a romantic comedy forced her to make some writing changes. But otherwise, I can assure you that this film has everything to become an outstanding premiere on the platform. Netflix’s Persuasion is an adaptation that many will find rewarding as a romantic comedy. But it is possible that for those who have been able to enjoy the paper version, it remains redundant and little linked to the original work.