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Parents' Guide to

Persuasion (2022)

By Jennifer Green, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Diverse but muddled adaptation has drinking, mild innuendo.

Movie PG 2022 109 minutes
Persuasion Movie Poster

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 8+

Based on 3 parent reviews

dannycruise
dannycruise Parent of 12-year-old
July 25, 2022
age 8+

Fun, not faithful adaptation

If you forget it's based on an Austen novel you can enjoy it for what it is.
Lana R.
Lana R. Parent of 4 and 8-year-old
July 22, 2022
age 6+

Super cute movie!! My kids loved it!!!

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

It's been eight years since Anne Elliot (Dakota Johnson) was persuaded to break off her engagement to Captain Frederick Wentworth (Cosmo Jarvis) at the start of PERSUASION. She was convinced to do so because Wentworth was not as wealthy as her family. Now, her father (Richard E. Grant) has overspent the family into debt, meaning they must rent out their estate and move to a humbler abode temporarily. Their renters turn out to be related to Wentworth, who comes for a visit. It's clear Anne and Wentworth still have feelings for each other, but neither will admit it. This leads Wentworth into a new relationship, and Anne, meanwhile, is pursued by wealthy cousin William (Henry Golding).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (2 ):

The imposition of anachronistic elements to modernize Jane Austen's novel ultimately undermines the story and characters. From a trendy exploitation of fourth-wall breaking to unsubtle sexual innuendo, modern-day music, and 21st century self-help speak, Persuasion doesn't seem content enough with its original material. This is a shame, and the excellent cast suffers for it; in fact, adding in a contemporary diversity is one modernization that does work well here. Johnson has the charisma and credibility to hold the camera's attention, but the snarky asides and forced complicity just don't fit with the character or the time period, otherwise faithfully crafted in beautiful settings and wardrobes. This is a mixed bag that could've been better.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the adaptation of a book into a movie, as with Persuasion. What do you imagine are some of the challenges of an adaptation? What other book-based movies have you watched? Any by Jane Austen?

  • What do you think of the character of Anne talking to the camera? Does this make you feel more or less engaged in the story? What other movies or series have you seen this device in?

  • In what ways do the characters here feel of their time? In what ways do they feel more modern?

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