MODERN PERSUASION

US, 2020, 82 minutes, Colour.

Alicia Witt, Mark Moses, Li Jun Li, Daniela Pineda, Tedra Milan, Jenn Harris, Liza Lapira, Adrienne C.Moore, Bebe Neuwirth, Shane McRae, Chris O'Shea.

Directed by Alex Appel, Jonathan Lisecki/

Jane Austen fans will immediately recognise the title. Yes, this is a modern version of the plot outline and characters from Jane Austen’s novel. This is a very risky undertaking although the 1995 Clueless was a successful modernisation of Emma. And there have been all kinds of variations on her classic Pride and Prejudice with Bride and Prejudice as well as a version with zombies!

This film is rather slight, set in the world of big business, the focus on Ren, successful businesswoman, unmarried, remembering Owen, a love from college days. When he suddenly appears representing a campaign for a company acquisition, he seems to ignore her at first. However, it finally emerges that he has not lost his love for Ren.

In the meantime, there is Owen’s friend who has lost his former girlfriend, there is Wren dominating aunt, Vanessa, who is pushing a young man, Tyler, for Ren’s attention. There are the bosses at work, brother and sister, he vain and flirtatious, she businesslike. And there are the young women who also work on the staff, more than a touch flighty.

So, the film works on the level of romcom which is probably the best way to look at it. If the parallels with Jane Austen are intriguing, so be it – but, there is such a difference in attitudes and freedoms, customs, let alone costumes and decor between the early 19^th century and the early 21^st-century.

1. The Jane Austen inspiration? Adaptation? Interpretation? Modernisation?
2. The world of New York business, offices, planning meetings, social events, launches? Apartments? The atmosphere of the city? The musical score?
3. The plotline from Jane Austen? The transition from the early 19^th century to the 21^st-century? Characters, standards, behaviour, interactions, emotions? The contrast with 21^st-century freedoms? Costumes and decor?
4. Wren, her apartment, the cat, the link with Vanessa, the past, her mother and Vanessa’s care, her father seen as irresponsible? College, the links with Owen, in love, the breakup, Vanessa’s influence, her career? The years passing, in New York, not dating, relationship with the management of the company, the planned link, arriving, not recognising her, behaviour at the meeting, the aftermath?
5. The range of people on the staff, the boss, age, vanity, flirtatious? His businesslike sister? His aide, her dominant manner, the later relationship with Tyler and pouring the water on him, apologies to Ren? Katie and Crystal, their chatty style, business talents, Crystal and Brian, the gallery, the engagement, marriage preparation? Liz, pregnant, tough-minded, compulsive eating? The birth of the baby?
6. Owen, his friend, the sad story of his former love, cancer, abandoning him? Shy and reticent, comfortable talking with Wren, the sudden attraction to Katie, her going on the rocks with Owen and injuring her leg, hospital?
7. The gatherings of the country estates, socials, volleyball, talk?
8. The launch, the perfumes, Rebecca, the photos, Tyler being pushed by Vanessa, his kissing Wren in the photo, it being shown, Owen’s reaction, leaving?
9. The final conversation, with Liz, being Frank, Owen overhearing?
10. Reconciliation and romance?