Persuasion Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Girl regrets dumping hot sailor because her friend told her to, then spends two hours awkwardly trying to get back with him while talking directly to the camera like we’re her therapist.

🍿 Persuasion: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Persuasion to End an Engagement

Anne Elliot, living with her financially struggling and narcissistic family, is haunted by her past relationship with Captain Frederick Wentworth. Eight years prior, she was persuaded by her friend Lady Russell to break off their engagement due to Wentworth’s lack of fortune and social standing. Anne still carries deep regret and unresolved feelings for him, a secret sorrow she bears alone.

Wentworth’s Return

The Elliots are forced to lease their estate to Admiral and Mrs. Croft to alleviate their financial woes. To Anne’s surprise and unease, Mrs. Croft is Frederick Wentworth’s sister. His presence back in Anne’s life stirs up buried emotions and painful reminders of their lost love. He enters society a wealthy and respected Captain, a painful contrast to the man Anne was told to reject. The Musgroves’ estate becomes the center of society and the Captain is pulled into it.

Lyme and New Connections

Anne and the Musgroves visit Lyme Regis, where Anne and Wentworth encounter Mr. William Elliot, Anne’s cousin and heir to Kellynch Hall. Mr. Elliot is shown to be very interested in Anne and they both form a potential relationship. The visit is marred by an accident when Louisa Musgrove, impulsively jumping off a seawall, is seriously injured. This event creates a shift in relationships, as Louisa recuperates and Captain Benwick is there to help her.

Arriving in Bath

As Louisa and Captain Benwick become engaged, Wentworth and Anne travel to Bath, where Mr. Elliot’s interest in Anne grows stronger. He seems to be a very respectful and honorable man, especially in contrast to her father. Lady Russell, Anne’s trusted confidante, encourages the match, hoping Anne can secure a respectable future. However, Anne remains conflicted, still harboring feelings for Wentworth.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Anne Elliot (Dakota Johnson): A wistful and unconventional woman who gets a second chance at love with Captain Wentworth.
• Wentworth (Cosmo Jarvis): A naval captain who returns to Anne’s life after achieving success, forcing her to confront their past.
• Sir Walter Elliot (Richard E. Grant): Anne’s vain and extravagant father, obsessed with his social standing and appearance.
• Mr. Elliot (Henry Golding): Anne’s charming and calculating cousin, who poses a threat to her renewed romance with Wentworth.
• Lady Russell (Nikki Amuka-Bird): Anne’s well-meaning but misguided godmother, who initially persuaded Anne to break off her engagement with Wentworth.
• Mary Musgrove (Mia McKenna-Bruce): Anne’s self-absorbed and hypochondriac younger sister, married to Charles Musgrove.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sir Walter Elliot: “What use is a title if you have to earn it? What use is anything if you have to earn it?” – Reflects his vanity and belief in inherited status without effort.
• Anne Elliot: “Now I’m worse than single, I’m an old maid.” – Anne’s self-deprecating remark reflects her awareness of her diminished social standing.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $23,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Persuasion Reviews

Personal Review

As a Jane Austen fan, I had high hopes for this adaptation. Dakota Johnson is usually great, but the constant breaking of the fourth wall pulled me out of the story. I didn’t feel the chemistry between her and Cosmo Jarvis. It felt more like a modern rom-com trying to fit into a period piece, and that just didn’t work for me. I found myself comparing it to other Austen adaptations I’ve enjoyed, and this one sadly fell short. I ended up feeling disappointed.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of romantic dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in period pieces with a modern twist”
  • “Dakota Johnson fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Implied alcohol use”
  • “Brief mild language”
  • “Thematic elements”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “While Dakota Johnson brings a certain modern charm, the film’s attempts at updating the material feel forced and often clash with the period setting. The frequent fourth-wall breaks become distracting rather than engaging, and the overall adaptation struggles to capture the emotional depth of Austen’s novel.
• The Guardian: “This ‘Persuasion’ tries too hard to be ‘Fleabag’ meets Austen, resulting in a tonally inconsistent and ultimately unsatisfying experience. The performances are uneven, and the attempts at humor often fall flat, failing to do justice to the source material’s subtle wit.
• Variety: “Dakota Johnson is captivating, but the film leans too heavily on modern sensibilities, sacrificing the nuances of Austen’s story. The plot feels rushed, and the emotional connections between characters lack the depth needed to make the romance truly resonate.

Audience Reactions

Some viewers found Dakota Johnson’s modern portrayal of Anne Elliot to be refreshing and entertaining.: Despite the mixed reviews, some enjoyed the film for its lightheartedness and modern take on a classic story.

Many viewers who are Austen purists found the adaptation disrespectful to the source material.: Fans of the novel generally disliked the modern dialogue and character interpretations, citing them as inaccurate and distracting.

Overall Consensus: A divisive adaptation that modernizes Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion’ with mixed results, appealing to some viewers while alienating others with its unconventional approach.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Henry Golding’s costumes were designed to reflect the ‘swagger’ of his character, Mr. Elliot, with beautifully fitted dark dusters and frock coats.”
• “Cosmo Jarvis’s costumes as Wentworth were minimalist, reflecting his desire to ‘fit in’ without making a big fashion statement.”

🖥️ How to Watch Persuasion?

Persuasion (2022) is available to stream on Netflix. Check Netflix in your region for availability. You can also find digital purchase options through platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Persuasion, you might like these similar films:

• Pride & Prejudice (2005): A classic Jane Austen adaptation exploring social class and romantic entanglements in 19th-century England.
• Emma. (2020): Another recent adaptation of Jane Austen that employs wit and social commentary.
• Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001): Modern romantic comedy with similar themes and a heroine trying to navigate love and social expectations.

🛒 Persuasion Related Products

• Jane Austen: The Complete Novels: A beautiful hardcover collection of all of Jane Austen’s novels, including Persuasion, for fans who want to dive deeper into her works.
• Persuasion (2007 BBC Adaptation) [DVD]: The critically acclaimed BBC adaptation of Persuasion starring Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones. A more faithful and widely loved interpretation.
• Regency Era Dress Costume: High Quality Regency style dresses, perfect to dress up for historical era balls and events. Comes with multiple color options and sizes.
• Jane Austen Persuasion Quotes Poster: Elegant wall art featuring iconic quotes from Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion,’ perfect for adding a touch of literary charm to any room.

🎧 Soundtrack

Persuasion features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Quietly Yours” – performed by Birdy

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Every Jane Austen Adaptation Ranked from Worst to Best

Ever wondered how the latest ‘Persuasion’ stacks up against all the other Jane Austen adaptations? This video ranks them all, from the best to the, well, not-so-great! I was surprised by some of the choices, you should definitely check it out to see if you agree.

Did Captain Wentworth Buy Kellynch? Jane Austen’s Persuasion and Regency Primogeniture Explained

Want to understand why everyone in ‘Persuasion’ is so obsessed with inheritance? This video breaks down primogeniture, the weird Regency-era law that dictates who gets the family fortune. I never really understood it until now, it’s fascinating!

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