Persuasion (2022)
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A woman must confront her past feelings for a man she once rejected due to social pressures.
The story
Eight years after breaking off her engagement to Frederick Wentworth due to his low social status, Anne Elliot lives a quiet life. When her family's estate is leased to Admiral Croft, Anne is tasked with caring for her ailing sister, Mary. The arrival of the Admiral and his wife—Wentworth's sister—brings the past into the present. While Anne tries to navigate her current life and the attentions of a wealthy cousin, she finds herself constantly reminded of her old attachment to Wentworth, who is now a successful naval officer.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Eight years ago, Anne Elliot broke her engagement to Frederick Wentworth because of his lack of wealth and social standing, influenced by her family and Lady Russell. Now, her family's estate, Kellynch Hall, is leased to Admiral Croft. While Anne cares for her sick sister Mary, she encounters Wentworth again, who is now a successful captain. During a holiday in Lyme, Anne tries to hide her feelings for Wentworth while a cousin, William Elliot, pursues her. After a series of events involving a family friend, Louisa, who is injured in a flirtatious attempt with Wentworth, the group travels to Bath. In Bath, William Elliot pursues Anne with the intent of securing his inheritance. Wentworth, believing Anne has moved on, prepares to accept a new ship offer. However, after overhearing Anne speak of the enduring nature of love, Wentworth writes a note declaring his feelings. Anne runs to him, and they declare their love for one another, finally reuniting as William Elliot marries Mrs. Clay.
- First release year
- 2022
- Runtime (minutes)
- 109
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Carrie Cracknell
- Writers
- Ronald Bass · screenplay; Alice Victoria Winslow · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Dakota Johnson · Anne; Cosmo Jarvis · Frederick Wentworth; Nikki Amuka-Bird; Mia McKenna-Bruce; Richard E. Grant; Henry Golding
- Genres
- historical romance; romantic drama
- Themes
- social status; regret; enduring love; persuasion
- Tone and mood
- modernized; anachronistic; wry
- Premise and plot tags
- historical; romance; drama; period piece
- Source material / true-story basis
- Jane Austen's 1817 novel Persuasion
- Reception
- The film received mixed to negative reviews, with critics criticizing its modernization, the performance of the lead male actor, and its use of fourth-wall-breaking gimmicks.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 42 · scale: 100 · review count: 37
- Production trivia
- The film features fourth-wall-breaking gimmicks.; The film was released in theaters a week before its streaming release on Netflix.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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