#Persuasion is just a modern day movie with people wearing Regency clothes

[kcrabb88]

Okay so here’s the thing. If I see one more “who cares about historical accuracy in a historical piece of media” I am truly going to lose my entire mind. I’m not asking for TOTAL accuracy down to the detail (I don’t strive for that, and things should connect with a modern reader) but I AM asking that books and shows and movies ENGAGE WITH THE PERIOD THEY’RE SUPPOSEDLY SET IN. The new Persuasion is just the newest (and one of the most egregious) instances of this, but I’ve seen this sentiment a lot, recently. If you don’t care about historical stuff, then why create or engage with historical media? The goal should not be to “modernize” historical fiction, but to create and engage with more diverse historical media. Different settings and periods! More stories about queer and BIPOC folks! Historical fiction has so so much to offer without stripping it of all historical context. I’m tired. 

#Persuasion is just a modern day movie with people wearing Regency clothes #It's not even a GOOD modern movie #It wouldn't even work as a modern day adaptation of Persuasion #But my point stands #KCrabb rambles

[jasminedragonart]

Just to preface this little rant but I am not a Jane Austin fan. I haven't read her books nor do I know why I decided to watch Netflix's Persuasion 2022. But I did. And I have never been so offended on an author's behalf than when i was watching it.

Now, I'm not opposed to modern iterations. I have enjoyed some modern interpretations of shakespeare when the RSC comes to town. But theres a difference between a modern interpretation and trying to modernise a period of history that doesn't need to be.

The fact they tried to slip modern dialogue into this film is offensive. Not only to the intelligence of the audience but the characters they're portraying. The reasons things like Austin and Shakespeares works are timeless is because to this day we can understand it. We might need a bit of context every now and then, but is Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet if you don't get the flowery language professing their love for each other? The fact they slipped modern sayings into this film brings you out of the story so much its impossible to sink bacn in.

Not that you want to.

I feel kind of bad for Dakota Johnson. Whoever thought this would make a good film lied to her. like I said, I've not read persuasion, but the fourth wall breaks were completely unnecessary for a character like her. Ignoring the book, a fourth wall break is primarily used by quiet characters. Anne is not a quiet character in this. In Fleabag, our main character is repressing her emotions so much we need these fourth wall breaks. Sure, she has her outbursts, but they're clever and have purpose. Another character I could pick from would be Jim from the Office. Jim is, for all his pranks, a quiet character. He's very subdued and not as emotional as Dwight. His fourth wall breaks are usually looking to the camera in a way that speaks 'are you seeing this?'

Anne is not like this. Her breaks add nothing. Her dialogue is pointless too. Why lament for an hour then talk with your ex anyway? The pining was nonexistent. The chemistry wasn't there and I blame the script more than the characters.

Speaking of bad things, those costumes. What were they thinking? Those costumes were awful. The background characters were okay. But they were boring. There was no cohesiveness. I know in ye olde times that people wouldn't be cohesive. But this is a film, there is symbolism in it. Like in Bridgerton (I stopped watching after 2 episodes it wasn't for me) but they used colours to band characters together. Families had specific colour palettes so we could recognise them and their importance in the scene.

In this film, there was nothing. They were all mismatched and while it was okay, it wasn't anything to brag about. Now Anne. shame on who did Anne. I don't know what angers me more her hair or her clothes.

We'll start with the clothes. Why the black? Black is for mourning. If anything, Anne should have worn black in the beginning to symbol the death of her relationship. But no shes wearing it in the middle of the movie for no reason. All of her clothes are dark or bright and they too lack a colour journey.

Worse, they're modern inspired. Anne looks SO out of place its painful to watch. Her trousers? Her coat? Why is she wearing that? Why do we have the need to force these characters into clothes we find acceptable for a protagonist and not accept what they would have worn as okay? Dresses are okay. This is a regency piece it is more than okay for her to look like a freaking girl.

She didn't need to be modernised and its offensive that they thought she did.

Moving onto her hair. Why the side bangs? I know people had bangs back then but not like that. Her hair being down too? Or just tied back like it is? Its disgraceful to the time period and the character.

So, for context, Anne is seen as a disappointment to her family. Why, if you are a disappointment, are you going outside looking like that when your family depends on their reputation to survive? Who is allowing her to leave the house like that? Any self respecting woman back then would pin their hair back. They wouldn't wear it down, especially when a formidable ex is on the scene. Anne would not wear her hair like that. The only people who wear their hair like that would be children, poor children at the very least. Maybe some of the poorest commoners.

But not a rich lady like Anne.

This movie was painful. I hope it flops and netflix realises that masterpieces like Emma which I watched after this are the way to go.

#Persuasion 2022