MovieChat Forums > Persuasion (2008) Discussion > I liked this version better than the 199...

I liked this version better than the 1995 version

posted 9 years ago by bd74
7 replies | jump to latest

A much better-looking Anne and Frederick, for starters. This version was also very scenic. The scenes at Lyme were beautiful. I thought Sally Hawkins did a great job conveying the shy/awkward/introverted nature of Anne, which was hardly noticeable in the 1995 version. There were however some aspects of silliness to this version. Anne's sister Elizabeth appeared much older than her two sisters. Frederick's sister appeared much older than him. And the entire scene leading up to Anne's engagement to Frederick felt too rushed. Everything in that scene happened too quickly, whereas in the 1995 version the pacing of the events leading up to the engagement was more realistic. But overall, I enjoyed this version a bit more than the 1995 version.

[–] Anhun 9 years ago

Anne Elliot isn't supposed to be shy and awkward. She responds to her family's dismissive treatment with a quiet dignity. When she's with people who actually listen to her and respect her opinion, she can be quite sociable.

"You two ought to be ashamed of yourselves . . . two grown men acting like . . . grown men!!!"

[–] Julie-30 9 years ago

There is a great scene in the 1995 version that is taken directly from the book and which is not present in this version. It's the scene at the Musgroves' house when all of the Musgrove family complain to Anne about Mary. It really shows just how much she is respected and appreciated by everyone other than her own father and sisters.

http://currentscene.wordpress.com

[–] ida96 9 years ago

That's a favorite scene of mine as well -- warm, lovely, leisurely. The character of Mary, in the expert hands of Sophie Thompson, was funny and exasperating.

But in the newer version, Mary is extremely sarcastic, hateful, unpleasant and completely unlikable -- shocking, really. Mary is one of several reasons to disregard this as a serious attempt at Jane Austen's story.

[–] huwdj (4566) 8 years ago

Mary was ridiculoulsy horrible. But I thought Amanda Hale also made her funny and it's actually a very enjoyable performance.

[–] huwdj (4566) 8 years ago

I thought that was well conveyed when they were all so pleased to see Ann and gathered round taking whilst Mary was effectively pushed in to the background and ignored.

[–] Quasimodo (16388) 4 years ago

Exactly right. Also Louisa's sister said at one point that they all wished Charles had married Anne and not Mary.

[–] huwdj (4566) 2 years ago

I actually prefer the 1995, Amanda Root & Ciaran Hinds, version. It feels appropriately genteel and there is something a little too stylish about this version.
But having said that I ran it again today just because I wanted to watch something with Sally Hawkins and thoroughly enjoyed it. Incidentally I have both versions rated at 7/10 on IMDb so there is perhaps not that much to choose between them.