Editorial Product Review:Amazon.com:Movie adaptations of Jane Austen's classic novels were all the rage (relatively speaking) in the mid-1990s.
Clueless updated Austen's
Emma, which was more conventionally adapted in another version (
Emma) starring Gwyneth Paltrow.
Emma was produced yet again, this time for British television, as were a celebrated miniseries of
Pride and Prejudice and this splendid film of Austen's
Persuasion.
Persuasion is the story of a love that survives eight years of dormancy and the frustrating obstacles of class prejudice in 19th century England. Anne (Amanda Root) is captivated when she meets the dignified naval officer Capt. Wentworth (Ciarán Hinds), but she is advised to discourage his romantic overtures because he has no fortune. They meet again eight years later, but now Capt. Wentworth has become wealthy while Anne's father is in reduced circumstances in the wake of reckless extravagance. A series of circumstances ensue which prevent Anne and Wentworth from expressing their mutual and inevitable love. The film's success depends entirely on the subtle, superb performances of Root and Hinds. The film builds slowly, occasionally leaving you wondering if anything at all is going to happen. When it does, you realize how carefully crafted a film this is, and the final result is grandly rewarding.
--Jeff Shannon
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Buyer Reviews
Average Buyer Rating:
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The most perfect screen version of all!
It's the best screen version for this splendorous novel! After having seen it, try to read the book again - I promise: you'll see in your mind all the scenes again! The dialogues are almost the same you've read in the book. There were almost no changings from the book to the screen- a good and very careful direction, I suppose.
And Captain Wentworth ... God! ... the look in his eyes when he sees Anne made me shake inside!
I really, really loved it!
Customer Rating: 
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True to Austen's story
This version of Persuasion follows Jane Austen's story and dialogue closely. Two sweethearts parted 8 years ago unexpectedly cross paths again. Ann has pined for Captain Wentworth, but he has hardened his heart against her. How will they find their happy ending? The answer is subtle, so think England, not Hollywood. A very beautiful and enjoyable love story.
Customer Rating: -
Just great
This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Sticks close to the book.
Customer Rating: -
Best one yet
See this one; this Wentworth-Anne match is the best.
My favorite is Amanda Root; she's brilliant here. She captures Anne's patience and gentle forbearance, but what I love most is how her eyes shine when she's happy. It's in keeping with Anne - quiet, demure - but it shows Anne's own strength. Even movie stills manage to capture that light in her eyes - I don't know how Root did it, but it was fantastic. Root's performance matches the ever-excellent Ciaran Hinds, and that's not an easy task; I had a hard time watching Hinds' "Jane Eyre" (opposite Samantha Morton's Jane) because they didn't seem well matched to me.
Those two alone make this Persuasion the one to see.
I don't consider it perfect: I preferred the 2007's Benwick and Lady Russell and the 1971 miniseries' length (the 1971 isn't bad at all). Minor, though.
