It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a viewer in want of an excellent film, must be in want of a Jane Austen adaptation.
Austen, a prolific English novelist, wrote six books across her career that critiqued the class structures of the 18th and 19th centuries and explored themes such as love, family and perseverance. Her work has been adapted into countless films, many of which entered the canon of classics alongside her novels. Popular adaptations of her Regency-era novels include “Clueless” and “Sense and Sensibility,” the latter of which was released Friday. The appeal of Austen’s adaptations comes from the gorgeous costumes, electric chemistry and timeless storytelling.
[Related: Film Review: ‘Sense and Sensibility’ successfully brings Austen’s classic to the modern screen]
Read on for the Daily Bruin Arts contributors’ selections of the best Jane Austen adaptations.
Persuasion (1995)
“Persuasion” is guaranteed to pierce a viewer’s soul.
The 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s last novel – an adaptation that must be distinguished from the 2022 version, featuring Dakota Johnson – stars Amanda Root as protagonist Anne Elliot and Ciarán Hinds as her estranged lover Captain Frederick Wentworth. The film takes place eight years after the duo was madly in love – and after Anne’s confidante, Lady Russell, persuaded Anne to reject Wentworth’s proposal because of his lack of wealth and influential family connections. As Wentworth returns a wealthy and decorated captain, Anne must navigate his changed circumstances and her unchanged love.
The excellence of “Persuasion” is a combination of plot and presentation. Austen’s last novel is also her most mature and romantic, and the film’s storytelling is equally engaging, relatable and compelling. Director Roger Michell and screenwriter Nick Dear sought to create a more realistic portrayal of the 19th century, encouraging their actors to eschew makeup and embrace a more unpolished look. Likewise, BAFTA award-winning costume designer Alexandra Byrne fashioned costumes that are simultaneously captivating and lived-in, with fashion being used to show Anne’s transformation over the course of the film. More than 20 years after the film’s release and in a media landscape critiqued for melodramatic storytelling and overly glamorous portrayals, “Persuasion” is a moving and worthwhile reprieve.
Given its grounded characters, visual aesthetic and timeless story of reconnection, “Persuasion” is bound to leave the audience in a state of half-agony, half-hope and complete admiration.
– Julia Kinion
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
With romance and passion, “Pride & Prejudice” has bewitched viewers for more than two decades.
The 2005 version of the beloved Jane Austen novel stars Keira Knightley as witty and bold Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as wealthy and arrogant Mr. Darcy. The film follows Elizabeth and the other Bennet sisters as they navigate charming soldiers, snobbish gentlemen and plenty of marriage proposals. The cast also includes Donald Sutherland, Rosamund Pike and Jena Malone, whose performances let the vastly different personalities of the Bennet family shine. There are many adaptations, of course, as “Pride & Prejudice” is centuries old. Yet this version remains in viewers’ hearts as the most watched – and rewatched – adaptation of the novel.
The story of Elizabeth and Darcy is timeless, but it’s the ambience that makes this film special. Director Joe Wright transports audiences into the breathtaking world of the Bennets: the stunning English countryside with its sweeping landscapes and vast estates. BAFTA award-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran plays a crucial role in crafting this tale of love and society – her designs distinguish the Bennet sisters from each other and women from a higher social class. At just over two hours, the movie seamlessly blends lively dance scenes with heartfelt confessions of love.
Romance fans yearn for “Pride & Prejudice” just as much as Darcy yearns for Elizabeth.
– Cara Putterman
[Related: Second Take: Classic literature finds new life in film in an increasingly online age]
Emma (2020)
The 2020 adaptation of “Emma” is everything: “handsome, clever, and rich.”
In Autumn de Wilde’s adaptation of “Emma,” Jane Austen’s 1815 novel, romance is a game of gossip and careful scheming. Anya Taylor-Joy brings Emma Woodhouse to life with a charming blend of humor and compassion as she plays the sharp-witted, aspiring matchmaker who resides with her ailing father. After successfully matchmaking her former governess, Emma adopts Harriet Smith, portrayed by Mia Goth, as her protege and sets out to find her a socially advantageous husband. “Emma” transports the viewer to Regency-era England through exquisitely tailored pastel costumes, vibrant colors and picturesque English landscapes.
Although Emma meddles in Harriet’s love life, the 2020 adaptation “Emma” is as much a tale of their friendship as it is a tale of their search for romance. As Emma’s naive schemes lead to fallouts, she must confront her own flaws, learn to see past first impressions and reconsider what it means to be loved. “Emma” has enchanted readers for centuries. Its 2020 iteration exemplifies the allure of the original novel while also presenting Emma as a more emotionally vulnerable and imperfect protagonist, adding depth to her journey of self-discovery.
With witty dialogue, striking cinematography and charming characters, “Emma” is guaranteed to tug on viewers’ heart strings and leave them smiling long after the credits roll.
– Ali Mo
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