October 10, 2025
Thanks to Alissa Simon, HMU Tutor, for today’s review.
While I’ve always loved Jane Austen’s characters, it was only after becoming an adult that I understood Austen’s complex social commentaries. I’ve read most of her works multiple times. For some reason, however, I never picked up Persuasion. So, in honor of Austen’s 250th birthday this year, I read that final novel. As usual, I identify with the strong female voice. I admire the way that Austen describes the complexity of social hierarchy and rules. And I love her morals.
Persuasion reads a bit like a version of Cinderella. In this version, the princess (Anne) is belittled by her family, but loved by her friends. We understand that a younger Anne denied her true love due to family pressures. After years apart, however, the two lovers miraculously meet again and discover that they are still in love. Only now Anne has more freedom of choice. It’s heartwarming and charming.
After reading Persuasion, I chose to watch the 2022 film version. This version liberally edited the novel, condensing multiple dinner parties into one, for example, and minimizing the number of characters presented. I have no issue with those liberalities. They also minimized attention on costume and appearance, while presenting wonderful landscapes. In one scene, they even introduced the idea that Anne could swim alone in the ocean. I have no problem with the fact that the production did not accurately represent the period. I could even see Anne Elliot swimming alone, if it had been allowed. Rather, my frustration is with the way that they depicted Anne’s personality.
The 2022 film version has Anne directly address the camera. These direct addresses disarmed me and I found them charming. However, sometimes her conversations deviated into random inanities which disconnected me from her honest and thoughtful character traits. Because of the discrepancies in her character, she lacked sincerity. A few examples may help to illustrate.
When Captain Wentworth first returns, Anne is at breakfast with her sister Mary and her family. Somewhat true to the book, there is an awkward exchange. However, the film chooses to introduce this scene with Anne impersonating Captain Wentworth for Mary’s children. At breakfast, Anne smears jam on her face in the symbol of a mustache. She deepens her voice and feigns a self important attitude. While her ability to entertain the children (much better than their own mother!) is unquestioned, the manner in which the film depicts her playful nature is not true to character. Anne would never have used Wentworth’s name, nor would she have slandered it, even for play. Unfortunately, Captain Wentworth enters at precisely this moment and is as surprised as the audience to hear his name being muddied.
Next, in the novel, Anne always offers excellent advice. She, of everyone – including Captain Wentworth – keeps a cool head. So, when Louisa Musgrove falls while on vacation and hits her head, Anne directs everyone. This is true in novel and in film. She calmly treats Louisa and asks Captain Benwick to get a doctor. This scene aside however, her character flip flops between level-headed and thoughtful, then impertinent, cheeky, and flippant.
Take, for example, the scene in Lady Dalrymple’s home, a distant relative and member of the social elite. Anne’s father and sister delight at the thought of meeting Lady Dalrymple. Anne, however, is less elated. In the book, they interact with Mrs. Dalrymple a handful of times. The film wisely condenses all of these meetings into one scene which is meant to convey a lot of social complexity. Yet it fails. Instead of establishing complicated family connections and Anne’s belief in the moral ambiguity of wealth, the audience is distracted by her ridiculous story. Anne breaks an otherwise awkward silence by relaying a dream in which an octopus sticks to her face. This story makes her seem absurd and irrelevant. The octopus scene doesn’t serve the narrative’s broader point. The best that I can make out, this version of Anne feels uncowed by aristocracy. Social rules matter little to her. But in the novel, she bypasses social rules without relinquishing virtue or venturing into the absurd.
My final point of disagreement occurs at the film’s conclusion. As Anne goes to find Wentworth, she passes Mr. Elliott in the street. He is kissing Ms. Clay which clearly indicates their ongoing affair. Instead of appearing upset at all of Mr. Elliot’s deceptions, however, she simply smiles and sails by. She does not condemn them as she might in the novel. Anne looks at the camera, laughs, and happily chases her own reward. This would be uncharacteristic to say the least.
In my opinion, the 2022 film Persuasion takes too many liberties to be consonant with the novel. Rather, it might be watched as a sort of romantic comedy, something akin to Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream in which the dream world participates with reality. Just don’t expect the cute and clever moments to correspond to Austen’s novel by the same name.
Photo credit: Alissa Simon
