Ever since Emily Brontë’s novel was published in 1847, there have been multiple adaptations of the story. Provocative filmmaker Emerald Fennell (Saltburn, Promising Young Woman) now takes a turn with a version of the “love story” that is bold, passionate, and also hilarious and quite naughty. I have watched only the 1939 version starring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon. Though I appreciated the atmospheric filmmaking, I did not like the characters. With Fennell’s vision, the characters remain nasty and toxic, but she and her cast members find ways to make this old story fresh and exciting.
Margot Robbie stars as Catherine Earnshaw, and Jacob Elordi portrays Heathcliff. For the most part, the basic elements of the original story are intact. As a poor, disheveled child, Heathcliff is taken in by Catherine’s father (Martin Clunes), and the two are raised together. As both Cathy and Heathcliff mature, they develop romantic feelings for one another. However, the class difference between Cathy and Heathcliff makes Cathy look elsewhere for love and future security.
If the 1939 movie is mostly faithful to the source material, I am not a fan of the novel. I found the characters mostly dull, stupid, and unlikable. For the most part, they get what they deserve. And though Elordi’s Heathcliff and Robbie’s Cathy also become despicable people, Fennell and her cast know exactly how to make them more intriguing and exciting to watch. Mixed with Fennell’s fearlessness and sense of humor proves to be a winning formula.
I also love the art and production design, the costumes, and the cinematography. Purists of the novel and perhaps some of the more faithful adaptations may not enjoy this version. Emerald Fennell makes some bold choices, and the result is not unique but simply good trashy fun. Fans of the director will absolutely love it.