THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, December 25, 1995 TAG: 9512230062
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Movie Review
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
BRITISH NOVELIST Jane Austen, who died at age 41 in 1817, is experiencing something of a movie rebirth. This might indicate that 1995 folks are tired of our own rude and violent culture and are willing to look elsewhere. Her six novels dealt primarily with sophisticated ironies, romantic yearnings and spirited, bright heroines who adeptly avoided the pitfalls of their time.
This year's witty teen hit ``Clueless,'' was reportedly based, ever so loosely, on Austen's 1816 novel ``Emma.'' In a few weeks, Emma Thompson's fun-loving version of Austen's first novel ``Sense and Sensibility'' (1811) will reach local theaters.The most popular Austen novel, ``Pride and Prejudice'' (1813), was the basis of the highly popular MGM movie, which starred Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier in a hilarious tale of five sisters and their search for suitable husbands.
For those who want to jump on the Austen carriage (you could hardly call it a bandwagon) immediately, there is ``Persuasion,'' a somewhat somber version of her final novel, a work that was written in a race against her failing health. Directed by Roger Michell, the former director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, this is surely the most serious film look at Austen. Both Thompson's and the Garson-Olivier adaptations come perilously close to 20th century perceptions in looking back at the ``quaint'' preoccupations of upper-crust 19th century poseurs.
``Persuasion'' concerns the long-thwarted love affair of a wealthy landowner's daughter who, at 19, is persuaded to break off her engagement to a handsome, idealistic, but poor, young Naval officer. When he returns nine years later, he is rich and respected, but shows little interest in his former flame.
The long glances the two give each other tell the audience all we need to know, but the other characters in the film never seem to notice. The love affair is marred by numerous obstacles, all of which must be navigated. In the meantime, we get a mess of idle chatter about birth, education, manners and such.
Amanda Root, in her first film leading role, gives a puppyish performance that seems to suggest that Anne goes into complete ecstasy whenever Captain Wentworth (Ciaran Hinds) comes near.
The film is remarkable in its attention to detail, both in dialogue and costuming. Teas and dances are but settings for nimble little flirtations that are so subtle modern audiences hardly will notice the glances.
``Persuasion'' is replete with one of the rarest commodities in current movies - literate dialogue. It's a slow go, but the details are the real attraction. After all, if you want to escape to a more romantic, decorous era, you have to expect (don't you?) that it would be slower. ILLUSTRATION: SONY
Amanda Root stars with Richard McCabe, middle, and Ciaran Hinds in
``Persuasion,'' a somber version of Jane Austen's novel.
MOVIE REVIEW
``Persuasion''
Cast: Amanda Root, Ciaran Hinds, Susan Fleetwood, Corin Redgrave,
Fiona Shaw
Director: Roger Michell
Screenplay: George Faber
Music: Jeremy Sams
MPAA rating: PG (romantic intensity)
Mal's rating: ***
Locations: Naro Expanded Cinema in Norfolk
by CNB