A bold and original imagining of one of the greatest love stories of all time, Emerald Fennell’s “WUTHERING HEIGHTS” stars Margot Robbie as Cathy and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, whose forbidden passion for one another turns from romantic to intoxicating in an epic tale of lust, love and madness.
The film also stars alongside Oscar nominee Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, BAFTA winner Martin Clunes and Ewan Mitchell.
What We Thought:
I’ve never read the book by Emily Brontë that “Wuthering Heights” is based on. Going into the screening I genuinely had no idea what the story was. I sort of knew it was a forbidden love angle, but I had no idea who survived or died, when it took place or anything like that. After watching it, I’m shocked to say I actually liked it.
The main reason I liked it is because it feels like a movie Hollywood used to make all the time. It has two attractive leads in a believable love story. It has top-notch production design, costuming and a period looking setting. Most adaptations get updated for today’s viewer and yes you can tell director Emerald Fennell brought a little bit of the 21st century to her 19th century based film, but she doesn’t beat you over the head with a message, 21st century beliefs or any of the usual things today’s films throw into older stories. It’s based in the 1800s, it looks like the 1800s, and all the characters feel like people you would have in the 1800s.
There’s something to be said for just letting actors be who the characters should be. Margot Robbie is one of the most beautiful creatures on Earth who just so happens to be one of the best actresses on Earth as well. It shouldn’t be difficult to get across that multiple men might pine for her Catherine Earnshaw. Throw her in some beautiful clothing and it’s pretty much a slam dunk. Jacob Elordi is a tall, good looking guy with a solid resume as well. Just put them in front of a camera, dress them nicely, dress the set nicely and tell them to act horny.
Speaking of horny, having not read the book I can’t tell how you much it differs from the film in terms of the, um, we’ll go with love making. I walked out calling the film 1850 Shades of Grey. There’s no kink shaming on this website, but I definitely feel like the women who made the book a hit (and who will probably make this film a hit) are a bit perverted. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Don’t get me wrong, there’s no gratuitous nudity and the sexy parts are well done and don’t feel out place or tacked on.
The release of “Wuthering Heights” feels off. I get tying it to Valentine’s Day for date night or Galentine’s Day for the groups of women who will go together, but I’m not sure why it wasn’t out for award season. Production design alone is award worthy. Both leads have been nominated before and co-star Hong Chau has also been nominated for an Oscar too. I thought the two younger actors playing the younger versions of Catherine and Heathcliff were fantastic and you can never go wrong with Doc Martin’s Martin Clunes. I’m usually not a fan of period films using new music, but I thought the score and original songs by Charli XCX fit the gothic vibe perfectly. If you can’t tell I don’t have much to say negatively about the film so because of that, it is…
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