2016 #81
Andrea Arnold | 129 mins | streaming (HD) | 1.33:1 | UK / English | 15
Andrea Arnold | 129 mins | streaming (HD) | 1.33:1 | UK / English | 15
A world away from heritage adaptations of classic literature (or, indeed, that Kate Bush song), Andrea Arnold’s earthy, plausible take on Emily Brontë’s beloved novel (the first half of it, anyway) won’t be to all tastes — particularly anyone after an epic romance feel — but its sparse dialogue, Malickian attention to nature, and oppressive mood make for a benumbing work of cinematic art.
The claustrophobic 4:3 framing and mist-shrouded photography lock us into an isolated world, where rough people treat each other roughly and misery begets misery, from which neither we nor the characters can escape. It’s grim up north, indeed.
100Films.co.uk 
Really admired Arnold’s take on it; her honestly in the brutality of the setting and the choice to cast Howson as Heathcliff (in the book there’s a very strong argument to say that the character is black). I suppose for me, in cutting so much of the plot, the film doesn’t wholly catch the essence of the text or feel totally satisfying. A very intense watch though
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I have to confess I’ve never finished the novel, so can’t really compare them (must try again sometime!) Intense is definitely a good work for this adaptation, though.
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It’s worth reading to the end but it’s a bruising one alright
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Oh I haven’t seen this. Interesting!
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