Persuasion (PG, 1995)

common sense media says

Jane Austen love story with an admirable heroine.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this romance is fraught with lies, gossip, and manipulation, but very little in the way of sex or violence. Two people fall and injure themselves seriously -- one, a child and one a teenage girl. The child falls off-screen and is carried limply back to his home. The teen falls on-screen and appears for a moment to have died.

Positive messages: A tremendous amount of back-stabbing, gossiping, conniving, and manipulating is done by most characters. But Anne is a great female role model, strong in her convictions, smart, well-read, and determined to follow her heart, even if it goes against her family.
Violence: One of Mary's children has a serious fall from a tree (off-screen) and there's some discussion about whether his spine has been affected. Louisa falls off a wall and seriously injures herself. For a moment, it looks as if she's died.
Sex: Mr. Elliot implies that Sir Walter Elliott and Mrs. Shaw are having an affair. Anne and Fredrick kiss once.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Persuasion

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the options for women's relationships in the 1800s versus today. Why did Anne break off her engagement to Fredrick in the first place, and why is he more suitable now? What's the difference between a "good match" and a "love match"?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Anne Elliot (Amanda Root) is a quiet, inquisitive woman who must do battle daily with the petty insults and parental neglect of her social-climbing father and sister. Anne also has a past that has robbed the color from her cheeks and left her sad: Years ago, she fell in love with and planned to marry a sailor, Fredrick Wentworth (Ciaran Hinds). Then her family, sure that he was a man with no connections to improve their social rank, nixed the marriage. But the tables have turned on Anne's family since then. Anne's irresponsible father (Corin Redgrave) has run up massive debt and they retreat to Bath. There Anne sees Fredrick again, who is now not only the captain of a ship but also wealthy. She's also wooed by a dashing young man with questionable motives. The scheming local ladies, and their lack of regard for Anne -- whom they find plain-looking and even too old to be a good match anymore -- make a happy romantic ending even more challenging.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Kids who loved the modern Jane Austen-inspired movies like Clueless, or warmed up to Austen with Keira Knightly's turn in Pride & Prejudice may still find PERSUASION too boring and slow-moving at first. But if they can stay in there, they'll be rewarded with a satisfying love story featuring a strong, smart lead character worth applauding. It takes till about halfway through the 100-minute film for the romance to get going, and when it does, it's in a demure, Jane Austen way. There's no cornering of Anne in a coat room. There are no Sex and the City hijinx. There are only moments when Fredrick offers Anne his umbrella or when her other suitor admits to wanting to flatter Anne for the rest of her life. Subtle at first, but many longing glances later lead the viewer to an attraction that positively crackles.

And because this is an adaptation of an Austen novel, Anne is smart, well-read, and kind. She's not the prettiest girl, but she's the most confident. She's the kind of girl most young female viewers might want to be friends with -- and whom they might also want to emulate. Especially as children hit the age when they are conducting Austen-like reconnaissance on their crushes du jour, Anne's restraint and sense of self are very instructive.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Sony Pictures
Director: Roger Michell
Cast: Amanda Root, Ciaran Hinds, Corin Redgrave
Genre: Drama
Run time: 104 minutes
Theatrical release: August 7, 1995
DVD release: February 1, 2000
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: brief mild language

This review was written by Heather Boerner
 
 

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

 
The best show on TV!
We need a UK DVD release PLEASE!!!!! My five year old laughs from the minute he sees Shaun and David till the minute the show ends. We had to explain that Father Christmas doesn't make DVD's!!

wiganopoly
teen, 17 years old
 
Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen book and now movie. To a lot of people they will probably think it is boring. But if you can handle a movie not filled with action you will love it. It's funny and smart. Younger kids will probably not like it

sbond
adult
 
Great for Adults too!!
This is one of the best shows on for kids these days! Really educational, and the kids don't even realize it because they dress it up with Zany fun! I enjoy watching the show and sometimes find myself turning ON the TV to watch it if we're doing something else. These guys really get what kids and parents want and boy do they deliver! I hope this show has the longevity of Sesame Street and Mr.Rogers. It definitely is just as educational (and more entertaining). :)

 
Love the vocabulary in this show!
Creative, fun, engaging, entertaining, and the use of language superb! Introduces many new words in a easy to learn way. My wish? more new shows, my daughter has watched every episode and is wishing for new ones she has not seen before.

 
My 18 month old LOVES it.
This show IS by far the best show for kids on tv. My 18 month old will watch it all day. She thinks Shane and David are the best. She runs to the TV every morning and says "My Show, My Show" I am very pleased with the teaching method that these people have come up with. I can't wait to see more! Thank you creators of THE UPSIDE DOWN SHOW!

 
Brain-Building Series for Kids (and grown-ups!)
This is the best show for kids on television today. The scripts are so smart and witty and the humor is brilliant. My 3 year old can correctly use words like "scrumptious" and "rotate" because of this show. His level of pretend play has sky-rocketed and he laughs from the time the guys come on screen to the time the show is over. It's kids' television with a brain, and I for one will be eternally grateful for it.

 
Can't Get Enough
Love this show. Great for the imagination. I know I enjoy watching it as much as the kids!!!!

 
Love, love, love this show!!
As somebody said before...this is the only show that my 21 month old daughter will sit down and intently watch the whole thing. Very entertaining! Very educational! And I may have a slight crush on Shane..haha :)

marykins2004
parent of 7 year old
 
Fascinating to Watch!
This show is funny, imaginative! The imagination aspect is just incredible! It's fascinating to watch. My 3year old grandson, who is a sophisticated media kid due to his parents!, laughs and watches spellbound. I think it helps kids develop imaginative play! Great show.

 
A Must See Show For All Ages
I have a four year old daughter and I babysit a 21 month old boy. There are very few shows that can hold both of their attentions for more than 30 seconds. That is until The Upside Down Show comes on. My daughter loves to work the remote that she recieves at the beginning of the show, and the boy loves the puppets and the silly faces that Shane and David make. I actually love to watch it too. It stays entertaining and leaves me wanting more. I just wish there were more shows that taught in an entertaining way instead of having shows that make no sense!

martin
teen, 16 years old
 
IT
THIS SHOW REMINDS ME OF BLUES CLUES AND IT WILL BRING THE END OF NICK JR

 
I look faward to watching it with my 3 y old
The show is great and funny and my 3 year old comes screaming in the kitchen when it comes on!! pulling at me so we can watch it together..I love it as much as she does

mta2153
adult
 
Can't decide which is more fun-watching this show or seeing my son watch it
What a zany fun way in which to teach our preschoolers. My son really gets into it. He is up on his feet interacting and having a great time.

 
I am happy
I love this show. I may be 13 and too old to watch it but i don't care. they are the best no matter what anyone says. I Love Shane!

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age