Persuasion (1995)

"Women without children are the very best preservers of furniture."

Anne Elliot (Root) is misunderstood by her self-absorbed family.  She is reserved and focused on other people, while mending a broken heart.  With her father, Baronet Sir Walter Elliot (Redgrave), facing financial ruin, the family is forced to retrench their estate at Kellynch Hall.  Sir Elliot departs for Bath with his oldest daughter Elizabeth (Nicholls) and her companion Mrs. Clay (Dean), leaving Anne to pack everything to join them.  She is also obligated to visit her younger sister Mary Musgrove (Thompson).

Mary and her husband Charles (Beale) live in the country in close proximity to his family.  Mary is always complaining and regularly at odds with her in-laws, but the Musgrove family loves when Anne visits.  While Anne is staying with the Musgroves, they are joined by Naval Captain Frederick Wentworth (Hinds).  Eight years prior, Captain Wentworth proposed to Anne, but on the advice of family friend Lady Russell (Fleetwood), she turned him down and he left town.  Now, he is wealthy, successful, and looking for a wife.  No one knows about their past relationship and he treats her coolly.  Can Anne find love and happiness again?


"Persuasion" was Jane Austen's final novel.  The novel was published in 1817 and is the most mature and subtle of Austen's works.  It has only been adapted 4 times: a BBC miniseries in 1960, a British TV serial in 1971, this film, and a BBC TV film in 2007.  This film is considered the best adaptation of the novel.

Nick Dear wrote the screenplay for this film, laboring over it for 2 years.  He had the difficult task of bringing a mostly internal story to life.  This was Roger Michell's film debut, previously working in theatre.  He wanted the film to feel authentic and filmed on-location with all-natural lighting.  The cast wore minimal makeup.  Costume designer Alexandra Byrne wanted the costumes to look realistic.  The lighting and costumes help tell the mostly visual story.

Prior to watching this film, I was not familiar with the story.  I was lucky enough to watch the film with a group of friends who love Austen novels and appreciate the little details / moments in these films.  I enjoyed the film and can't wait to read the novel.

Persuasion (1995) 104 minutes
Director: Roger Michell
Starring: Amanda Root as Anne Elliot
Ciaran Hinds as Captain Frederick Wentworth
Susan Fleetwood as Lady Russell
Corin Redgrave as Sir Walter Elliot
Fiona Shaw as Mrs. Croft
John Woodvine as Admiral Croft
Phoebe Nicholls as Elizabeth Elliot
Samuel West as Mr. Elliot
Sophie Thompson as Mary Musgrove
Judy Cornwell as Mrs. Musgrove
Simon Russell Beale as Charles Musgrove
Felicity Dean as Mrs. Clay
Roger Hammond as Mr. Musgrove
Emma Roberts as Louisa Musgrove
Victoria Hamilton as Henrietta Musgrove