Netflix adaptation of Jane Austen's Persuasion

[StrychnineInTheSandwiches]

Persuasion is my favourite Austen novel. All that longing, those disappointed dreams, the lost bloom of youth. And Captain Wentworth smouldering about the place.

Well Netflix have produced an adaptation featuring Dakota Johnson acting all giggly and Fleabag-ish. Wearing lipstick! Calling Wentworth her ‘ex’.

I will no doubt watch it as soon as soon it’s released next month but I suspect I’ll snort my way through it.

Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds will always be the perfect Anne and Wentworth so I’ll try not to get too precious about this reinterpretation.

But watching the trailer made all ‘u wot mate?’ (as eloquent as Jane herself I’m sure you’ll agree).

Bridgerton effect

You’re so right. I went through a massive georgette heyer phase last year, and there’s so much there, perfect for adaptations.

Honestly, if they are looking for new regency material then they should just start making the Georgette Heyer novels.

I wouldn't want to see them messed with either.

I like the Rupert adaptation well enough, but his complexion was far too peaches and cream for a man who'd spent a decade rolling about the high seas!

When they announced this adaptation (last year?) with the phrase "Anne Elliot is an unconforming woman with modern sensibilities." I was pretty convinced it was doomed.

I'd imagine persuasion is not so well known as Netflix is a world wide service so many won't mind the modernising.

They described it as from the author of Emma and pride and prejudice instead of Jane Austin. which kind of says it all really.

I can't even bear to watch the trailer, given your description of it.
It's my favourite Austen too, and the best adaptation is the Amanda Root/Ciaran Hinds one - I rewatched it recently and it still holds up. It captures the sad, wistful quality of the book.

I mean, I’ll watch it…

But it’s not Persuasion is it?

I just saw this pretty good review of it, but it includes this line:

"In a Bridget Jones-esque montage, she cries in the bathtub, drinks wine straight from the bottle, and describes herself as “thriving.”"

www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/persuasion-netflix-dakota-johnson-first-look/amp

Maybe I will watch it. But I'm not convinced it will work.

I won't watch it. I love both the Amanda Root and Sally Hawkins versions and that promo photo of Dakota just says to me that they've totally missed the point and the mood of the whole novel 🤷🏻‍♀️

Oh God it is beyond annoying this kind of shit. See also the new Agatha Christies involving Sarah Phelps or Branagh.

Ooh it looks dreadful. But to be fair I thought that about Bridgerton but it grew on me, a lot. She is not the same character as Anne from the book is she?

I saw Amanda Root on the tube once about fifteen years ago, I got very flustered, I wish I'd said something to her about how much I loved Persuasion now!

Persuasion is my all time favourite book and I am very unimpressed with this trailer. The previous adaptions have been a bit dour and I would have been delighted to see some humour injected with a more modern version, but they’ve completely fucked with Anne’s characterisation and the interactions between her and Wentworth. It’s a story about loss and assumptions and more about what’s unsaid than what is. They didn’t need to do this!!!

I will watch it, but will probably view it as a stand-alone film rather than an adaption of my favourite book to try and avoid disappointment. The casting of Sir Walter, Mary and Lady Russell looks great.

The best thing about Jane Austen is her wonderful language. I hate the thought of anybody mangling it and destroying her art.
I would love to see some Georgette Heyer novels turned into television dramas. I know the plot and characters are the same in all of them, but they are very enjoyable and the costumes would be fun.

Persuasion is my favourite Austen too so I don't think that I will be able to resist watching. Can it be as bad as Sanditon? I have never understood why the Georgette Hayer novels haven't been dramatised - they are wonderful escapism

...that rattling noise...

that's JA spinning around in her coffin.
😱

Coarse Hinds was the ultimate Captain Wentworth.

I'm going to watch this so I can moan about it after. Fancy casting an American!! Worse a 50 Shades one!

I am also aboard the Hate Watching train.

If they had done a Clueless with it (which is fucking wonderful) I wouldn't be so upset. Called it "Exes" (shudder), a version with modern sensibilities that has fun with the storyline then I'd be fine.

I too long for some Heyer adaptations. They could have fun with The Talisman Ring, for example. There are so many with this kind of archness to them that would work.

I've just watched the trailer again. Wentworth looks like a perplexed potato.

Euch. Wentworth comes back still angry and hurt at Anne in the book, and is quick to have an ungallant jab at her appearance. Rupert Penry-Jones captured it beautifully. In this, he looks all dopily in love when he sees her covered in jam. I can't even bring myself to hate-watch this.

Will also Hate Watch this.
But, like the Keira Knightley P&P, I’ll just watch it as “generic frock flick” rather than “adaptation of beloved Austen novel”.

I am now watching the lovely Amanda Root & Ciaran Hinds version. It is wonderful.

Yes. That film is sublime.

I've just seen the trailer and will definitely be watching! I think I am in the gang that liked the P&P version with Keira Knightley though.

This looks absolutely awful. I couldn't even make it to the end of the trailer.