By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
Rating: ++
out of ++++
Running Time: 136 minutes
This feature from Warner Bros. Pictures opens exclusively at theaters on Friday, Feb. 13.
The Emily Brontë novel Wuthering Heights is a classic, but it’s hard to think of a notable film adaptation of the property. Admittedly, there have been several attempts, but the story’s dark edges and gloomy tone have made it a difficult one to sell to audiences. The latest attempt is from writer/director Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman, Saltburn). It’s very clear that no expense has been spared to give this period film a grand scope, but the end product still struggles to keep viewers invested in the fates of its lead characters.
This story follows a family living on a dilapidated estate on the coast of northern England. The head of the household, Mr. Earnshaw (Martin Clunes) is a drunk and an abusive father, but does take in an orphan, jokingly giving the boy to his daughter and telling her to keep him as a “pet.”
Over the years a bond forms between the pair, and as adults it becomes clear that Catherine Earnshaw (Margot Robbie) and Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi) share an unrequited passion for each other. When the kind and wealthy lord of a neighboring property named Edgar Linton (Shazad Latif) takes an interest in Catherine, it’s seen as a life-saving pairing for the woman (who is described by family members as a spinster). Their marriage infuriates Heathcliff, who first disappears and then arrives years later to try and cause disaster to the relationship. Catherine doesn’t help herself, obsessing over Heathcliff and sabotaging her own upward mobility.
The relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff is clearly toxic, harming themselves and those around them. They just can’t stay away from each other, eventually using others to play sadistic and masochistic games on each other. Only Catherine’s caregiver, Nelly Dean (Hong Chau) seems to understand this issue, but even she can’t keep the pair from committing horrible and self-destructive acts.
This is an odd but interesting story arc, and one can see a fascinating movie in which characters attempt subtle, devious acts to try to manipulate others for their wants and desires. However, everything in the film is cranked up to extremes well past the level of believability. This is a melodrama where there are a lot of raised voices and shouting. Most props placed within arm’s reach are grasped and hurled in angst and fury. You’ll also see characters repeatedly glowering in the pouring rain without cover. Displaying this once or twice is perfectly fine, but when the actions occur again and again, it starts to result in snickers.
The movie is also focused on the sexual kinks of its period characters. Again, while it’s OK to address the matter on the part of a few individuals, all but one of the central roles in this story end up taking part in some sort of bondage or domination act.
And again, it’s all so over-the-top that it ends up coming off as amusing, but the exaggerations don’t help the picture when it attempts to veer back and address the core drama and tragedy of the central relationship. It is clear by the climax that the film wants viewers to be very invested in the fate of the leads, their problematic childhoods and the negative effect it has had on their lives. But when the material is played in a grandiose fashion with so much artifice, no viewer will be moved by the resolution.
There are a few things that do work. This picture is beautiful to look at, with impressive production design and costuming throughout. The Earnshaw estate, which is almost built right into the side of a cliff, is striking. So much so that one thinks with a more concerted effort to keep it clean and in order, it might actually be a gorgeous place to live. The Linton estate is brighter and grander, with some outrageous design ideas, but at least the motifs and details (many involving hands) are interesting to observe. And there are a few amusing sounds, looks and comments that are intended to raise a smile and succeed in doing so.
In the end, this is a unique take on the source material about deeply unhealthy relationships. The cast also do their best in difficult roles. Unfortunately, it’s played in such a hyperbolic manner that the film never fully transports the viewer into its world or makes one feel any investment in the lives of its characters. Any human drama in this adaptation of “Wuthering Heights” quickly wilts and leaves viewers unmoved.
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