Amazon.co.uk Review
The work of Jane Austen is being confidently mined by filmmakers at the moment, and
Persuasion is the latest to be visited. And while there are some fair issues raised about just how faithful the film is to the source material, its nonetheless a lavish and enjoyable take on Austens story, with much to admire.
Much of the reason as to why this version of Persuasion works well lies with its talented cast. Rupert Penry-Jones, for instance, tackles the role of Captain Wentworth with skill, and Sally Hawkins too gives a performance to be admired. Backed by a primarily good supporting cast, the romantic drama is both watchable and engaging.
Inevitably, parallels are going to be drawn with the similarly strong 1995 television adaptation, and the truth is that some will favour one, some will favour the other. For our money, the earlier version just about nudges it, but the two takes on Persuasion both have enough ideas of their own to make them suitable companion pieces.
Diligently directed and suitably lavish to look at, Persuasion then shows little sign of dampening the enthusiasm for bringing Austen to screens of all sizes. And on the basis of the charming 93 minutes on offer here, thats no bad thing at all. --Jon Foster
Synopsis
Though she refuses Captain Wentworth (Rupert Penry-Jones) in her youth, Anne Elliot's (Sally Hawkins) love for her handsome but penniless suitor never dies. When he returns eight years later--a wealthy and high-ranking naval officer--she has the chance to set things right. While the two leads ably carry the film, the highlight is Anthony Head's (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER) hilarious turn as Anne's snobby father. A splendid rendition of Jane Austen's final novel.