More than '50 shades of Anne, Dakota Johnson broke the mold in Austen’s Persuasion

Last year, we witnessed an audacious modern spin on Jane Austen's 'Persuasion,' featuring Dakota Johnson, that proved to be more than a genteel English rom-com. As reported by The Guardian, Johnson's portrayal of the demure Anne Elliot echoed shades of 'Fleabag,' complete with wry monologues to the camera and a sharp comedic edge.

Dakota Johnson: Austen’s Anne with an Attitude

In this quirky adaptation, Johnson brought Anne Elliot, Austen's resigned and reticent protagonist, into the contemporary era. The film's Anne was far from the traditional portrayal—she often indulged in despairing swigs of red wine, nursed an eccentric pet rabbit, and in a bold twist, gave the audience a direct wink at the film's conclusion, forging an unconventional bond of complicit approval.

This rendition of Anne has experienced love's regret: eight years prior, she had been convinced to reject a marriage proposal from the handsome but penniless sailor Wentworth, played earnestly by Cosmo Jarvis. Johnson expertly captured Anne's emotional torment when Wentworth re-entered her life, newly wealthy and still eligible for marriage. Her still simmering affection for him contrasted sharply with her family's diminishing fortune, a result of her father's irresponsible spending, played humorously by Richard E Grant.

'Persuasion' - A Comedic Rollercoaster

The narrative unfolded as a rollercoaster of romantic entanglements and family dramas. Anne's selfish sister Mary, portrayed by Mia McKenna-Bruce, imposed on her, leading Anne away to Lyme. Meanwhile, Wentworth found himself caught in a romantic web spun by her brother-in-law's pretty sisters. Add to this the suave cousin William Elliot, played by Henry Golding, and the meddling Lady Russell, enacted by Nikki Amuka-Bird, and you have a vibrant, humorous take on Austen's classic tale.

Indeed, this was 'Persuasion' as we'd never seen it before. Infused with the spirit of contemporary comedy, it offered a refreshing perspective on Austen's world. And at the center of it all was Dakota Johnson's Anne, standing not as a passive figure of the Regency era, but as a modern woman grappling with love, family, and self-worth.

The film was an eccentric ride, filled with wrong notes and unexpected turns. Yet, in its own way, it honored the timeless story that Jane Austen had penned, exploring the trials and tribulations of love amidst societal expectations. This was, unmistakably, a 'Persuasion' for the modern viewer, and Dakota Johnson led the charge with a spark in her eyes and a bottle of red wine in her hand.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)