November 9–16, 1995

movie shorts

PERSUASION

Jane Austen was always ahead of her time. Roger Michell's movie captures her insight into social hypocrisies and elegant sense of irony, with precisely understated performances and a subtle, witty script. Anne Elliot (Amanda Root) is the stalwart "good daughter" in a snobbish family which finds itself in difficult financial straits. Concerned with social propriety but also quite aware of the emotional costs of following such arbitrary dictates, Anne finds herself drawn to a former suitor, Wentworth (Ciran Hinds), a captain in the Navy. The movie follows the development of their renewed relationship under the watchful eyes of family and friends, with a delightful attention to details (glances, sighs, missed communications) and a rare gentleness and affection for all characters.

— Cindy Fuchs

(Ritz at the Bourse)