If you watched the first installment last night, Persuasion, what did you think? Here is my brief summary.
What happened to Gillian Anderson in the intro? She looked stiff and ghoulish. What was wrong with her mouth?
I didn’t like the frantic and modern camera work on the movie. I can’t stand all the random action and needing to constantly have the camera moving.
Not too thrilled with the music.
I didn’t care for most of the casting except you have to like that Captain Wentworth. I could watch him for much longer than ninety minutes!
I also strongly dislike the “look into the camera thing.” I think it really takes away from the authenticity of the piece.
Overall, I’d sit through it again for free if I was bored, but there is no way I would spend $20 for a copy. I definitely liked it better than the recent Pride and Prejudice. If you want to read my review of that mess, you can go here.
So what did you think? I hope you’ll leave a comment!
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I was very disappointed. I didn’t like the new format – just giving up the name ‘Masterpiece Theatre’ bugged me. I loved the former set with the richness of the room, books, momentos of past shows, leading up to the host sitting in a chair. Having Guillian on a red backdrop just wasn’t the elegant setting (at least to me) for an Austen setting. When one thinks of the word ‘Masterpiece’ you think of the best – old world paintings, etc. How did they translate that to a red backdrop? What were they thinking?
The specific program last night was also disappointing. I loved the sets, homes, grounds. However, I did not like Sally Hawkins. She just didn’t seem to be the right fit. Now, I did LOVE Rupert Penry-Jones. He was as brooding as he should be, and wonderfully stoic. I also thought the Father was mis-cast along with most of the other main characters. Just a poor production, IMHO. The last 30 minutes was so disjointed that I thought “what is going on?”…
I’m so glad you posted about this! I must say- I liked Captain Wentworth as well. He was just how I imagined him when I read the book.
Anne Elliott seemed to always stand there with her mouth agape. I wanted her to close her mouth or say something. One or the other.
All in all, it was okay. I’ll definitely watch the rest of the movies although I may skip Northanger Abbey- it’s never been my favorite.
Persuasion is my most favourite Jane Austen novel and I have never liked any adaption. We don’t get PBS over here in England, is it a BBC adaption that PBS is showing or is it PBS’s own?
I quite liked the BBC Pride and Prejudice AND the film one (although I’m not a big fan of Keira Knightley I just about put up with her in Pirates of the Caribbean, lol)
Sarah
I thought it was ok. I liked the music. But I have never read the novel or saw a different adaptation. But I liked it. Capt. Wentworth was very good. I also liked Anne Elliott as well. Although not having read the book before, I really wasn’t sure who was who until well into the second half.
I’m just wishing that my PBS station was showing it. It sounds interesting.
I did have a hard time with some of the who’s who-I did not know that Elizabeth was Anne and Mary’s sister until well in the second half. I have not read the book-I guess that would have helped.
I also thought it was poor to have both Elizabeth and Penelope look so much alike-very confusing.
And would Anne and Wentoworth really have kissed on the street in public in Jane Austen’s time?! Especially when they were not yet maried?
The scenery was lovely.
Sarah,
This is from the PBS site here in the states:
“For the first time on US television, Masterpiece presents adaptations of all the Jane Austen novels and a new biopic of her life.”
I thought the acting and costumes were good, but overall the movie felt rushed and the characters were undeveloped. One of my all time favorite movies is the Amanda Root (who played Anne Elliot) version of Persuasion and the character development was wonderful. My girls and I just loved that movie’s portrayal of Anne’s sister Mary and we often quote some of the absurd things she says. Last night’s version of Persuasion made Mary just a whiny, annoying woman.
The only thing I felt was superior in last night’s movie vs the one with Amanda Root was the use of Anne’s diary entries to give us a better glimpse into her inner turmoil.
Overall, I was disappointed in the movie and never came to care for the characters.
For those of you who have never read the book- you should! Its gentle, “mature” love story is wonderfully romantic!
I was surprised that the movie was only one and a half hours. I thought that was too short.
Sallie,
Are you going to watch the rest of the series?
I agree with the mouth agape thing. I thought their kiss near the end was one of the most awkward things I’ve ever seen on TV. Anne standing there with her mouth hanging open for who know how long. It made me squirm in my seat it was so unnatural and unappealing.
Abrianna – Yes, I will continue to watch each week because even though I am a realist, hope springs eternal that maybe some of the others will be good. But I have to admit that my anticipation has been greatly dampered by this first one.
Apparently we aren’t alone either. The PBS discussion boards for this aren’t exactly alive with praise. Lots of disappointed viewers. I know I am disappointed. I was really hoping for better.
I read through those messages and one person said that the other movies are no better than this one. She had seen the others in preview.
It looks like there will be more disappointment ahead.
FYI – for those who haven’t read up on the background of this movie, it was produced by ITV in England. It was NOT produced by BBC nor WGFH (Boston PBS Channel) who partnered together to produce most of the period dramas we have watched before.
I had much the same response. I wrote my thoughts here.
I thought Wentworth was handsome, but he didn’t really seem like a sea captain to me. And I thought Anne’s running through the streets was highly uncharacteristic of what a lady would do in the time.
I also hated that they misplaced the classic line about loving longest when all hope is gone — Wentworth was supposed to overhear that near the end.
Hey, I thought it was great. Sure, it was a little different and I like the older one better.
I guess, I am not a purist and like different takes on the story. I liked that this character of Anne Elliot was more apt to show her emotions. I liked the fact that she cried. I didn’t notice an open mouth.
BTW, I like the P&P movie, too. It wasn’t my favorite, but it was very enjoyable compared to most of the garbage they crank out.
One more thing. Gillian Anderson *is* ghoulish looking. She is no comic actress. LOL! She’s Scully from the “X-Files!”
Zan,
Back in my “wild days” (and believe me that it’s a stretch to call them “wild”), I loved The X-Files. Well, for only the first few seasons. Then it got way too weird and gory. I couldn’t watch it any longer.
Anyway, I never thought of Gillian Anderson as ghoulish. But there was just something so unnatural about that intro she did. It weirded me out. I seriously hope PBS sees all these negative comments everywhere and rethinks what they are doing.
I am so glad someone besides me was watching Sunday night! No one I know IRL is a Jane Austen fan. I posted a review on my blog, but since I am the only one who reads it, I will post here too!
First of all, I thought Capt. Wentworth was handsome, always a plus!
Second, I thought her running through the streets was odd and out of character.
Third,the way they chopped up the ending (which is so awesome in the book) with the letter and all, it was just shameful.
And last, the way she hung her mouth opened at the end for the kiss was just goofy and unnatural. I don’t care if she has waited 8 years for his kiss!!
I would watch it again, but it doesn’t even come close to being as good as the book.
I enjoyed reading your comments! Will you be doing this next week too? Because I will be watching Sunday night!
I went over to the PBS page this morning to catch up on the blog about Sunday night’s program. Guess what – the blog page is gone. Guess they didn’t want to continue to the negative blog! 🙁 Let’s pray they took all the viewer’s comments seriously.
I give up! Remind me, never to watch a movie with you ladies. Way too picky. 😉
I am an x-files fan, too. A closet one. Well, not anymore.
Jo Anne,
I checked and it is still there. Maybe try again?