Director: Roger Michell
Starring: Fiona Shaw, Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds
‘A Captivating Period Piece’
Not many actresses in Britain have produced movies that inspire awe like Fiona Shaw. Since her rise to fame in the 1990’s, Shaw has made memorable movies. Whether it’s aunts of boy wizards, helpful housekeepers or lovers, Shaw has portrayed countless characters. Arguably, Shaw’s strength as an actress has often been her strong presence. She is one of those rare actresses that has always had flair for stealing the show in supported roles with limited screen time. Even when she isn’t the central focus of a movie, Shaw has commonly left a long-lasting impression. Although she is best known for her iconic role in the Harry Potter franchise, Shaw has proven that she can thrive in a wide range of roles. A British icon, Shaw has become an actress that audiences cherish. Throughout an illustrious career, Shaw has made many strong movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Shaw and adore all the films which she has made in her career. However, “Persuasion” is my favourite. Released back in 1995, Roger Michell’s movie offered a strong adaptation of Jane Austen’s renowned book. Packed with breathtaking production, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best period dramas ever made. At centre of it all is an excellent performance from Fiona Shaw, who embodies a woman engaging in a doomed love affair facing trauma. Ultimately, what makes “Persuasion” a great adaptation is universal appeal. Unlike most Jane Austen adaptations, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message about extramarital affairs that would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing adaptation of a beloved book, there are many strong reasons why “Persuasion” is worth seeing.
Set in the Victorian era, “Persuasion” tells the story of a woman engaging in a doomed affair causing tension. Amanda Root portrays Anne Elliot, a young woman which seeks romance. Anne’s dreams come true as she is engaged to a wealthy sea manager. Frederick Wentworth (Ciaran Hinds) is a wealthy member belonging to a rich aristocratic family that admires Anne dearly. However, Anne’s life changes when she is forced to break off her engagement causing disaster. Faced with a dilemma, Anne begins to question if she will ever be able to find love in the Victorian era. Assisted by her long time friend Mrs. Croft (Fiona Shaw), Anne embarks on a frightening journey to reunite with her commemorated past lover. As she faces tension, Anne begins to question her power of persuasion in romantic relationships under destruction.
Roger Michell is a newcomer to the stories of Jane Austen. Before her made “Persuasion”, Michell had never made a Jane Austen movie before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a legendary piece of literature but he succeeded tremendously. Through captivating cinematography, Michell captures a woman on a journey to find her identity. Emulating Ang Lee’s “Sense & Sensibility”, Michell effectively uses montages to capture a woman going on a journey to find romantic relationships causing adversity. For instance, montages enhance the engagement scene. During this uplifting scene, Anne is overjoyed when she is engaged to Fred in a marriage. Using strong montages, Michell captures the tensions that women in doomed love affairs are facing. Montages are complex techniques to use in films. As Chris Columbus’ “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” did suggest clearly, montages elevate adaptations of iconic fantasy books. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Through breathtaking visuals, Michell celebrates a legendary English author that’s compelling.
Another admirable aspect of “Persuasion” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Michell effectively uses production design to capture the tensions of women in a romantic relationship experiencing a decline. Throughout the movie, Michell uses costumes to capture the personalities of women facing doomed relationships. Anne’s costumes exhibit her strong personality as a woman in doomed love affairs facing tragedy. For instance, the costumes enhance the reunion scene. During this unforgettable scene, Anne experienced a sense of joy when she reunites with Frederick in a ballroom dance. Using costumes, Michell creates a strong character which audiences can relate to. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Jeremy Sams’ music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which women in doomed love affairs bear. Through powerful production design, Michell captures women in doomed romantic relationships that decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Persuasion” is a Jane Austen adaptation which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively employs silence to capture lovers in doomed relationships that face tension. Throughout the movie, Michell uses silence to capture tensions that women facing doomed love affairs are experiencing. For instance, silence enhances the breakup engagement scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Anne is separated from Frederick in a tense breakup causing adversity. Through the silence, Michell honours an author whose tales are compelling. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Terence Mallick’s “Tree of Life” suggested, silence enhances films about American families. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a powerful screenplay, Michell honours timeless stories of an author that is beloved today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Fiona Shaw delivers one of her best career performances as Ms. Croft. Shaw earned appreciation for playing aunts of magical wizards in fantasy films. With “Persuasion”, however, she took on her most complicated role. It isn’t easy to portray a woman facing doomed love affairs causing adversities but she succeeds immensely. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charming and emotional on her most iconic role. Through mesmerizing expressions, Shaw captures the angst, desperation and grief of a woman stuck in a doomed love affair causing tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest actresses in Britain today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Fiona Shaw, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Amanda Root is riveting, bringing charisma to a woman that faces a dilemma when her engagement is broken causing trauma. Ciarin Hinds is strong, capturing the compassionate personality of an aristocrat seeking romantic relationships with affection. Lastly, Susan Fleetwood deserves appreciation. As a lovesick woman, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Persuasion” will earn the appreciation of everyone for honouring an actor deserving recognition. Unlike most Jane Austen movies, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with Jane Austen to appreciate it. It discusses bold themes including identity, marriage and sexism which would resonate with everyone. It delivers a meaningful message about marriage which would resonate amongst everyone. Therefore, “Persuasion” is one of those rare Jane Austen movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Fiona Shaw will definitely appreciate “Persuasion” and so will movie-goers which seek exhilarating entertainment. A riveting literary classic, it honours an actress which is iconic.
Centuries following the publication of literature written by a legendary author about women seeking persuasion, it’s riveting reminder about a commemorated British actress with strong dedication that has made unforgettable movies throughout her career which are definitely without a single doubt worthy of celebration.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 