Rating: 
Summary: Exquisitely poignant
Review: This is positively one of the most beautifully told love stories of all time--and thankfully, this film version does perfect justice to all of Jane Austen's subtle nuances. One is almost overwhelmed by heartwrenching scenes of despair, deep sadness, and mortification, then buoyed by the hope of tender longings and true love returned. The acting is quite simply superb: Ciaran Hinds makes a dashing and intelligent Cptn. Wentworth, long-suffering yet ever true; Amanda Root is touching as the spinster Anne Elliot who, through hope, basic goodness and love, manages to get back some of her lost youth and beauty; Corin Redgrave portrays Anne's vain, foolish father quite well; Fiona Shaw is perfect as the feisty, intelligent, and very likable older sister of Frederick; and Sophie Thompson is wonderful as Mary, Anne's annoying yet somehow sympathetic hypochondriac of a sister. (My own response to those few who have complained that the lead characters are too old to play lovers of 27/28 and 32: although these actors are a bit older, it is no great stretch to visualize them as being those ages, given the differences of appearance--makeup, hairstyles, dress, and carriage chief among them--between now and the past. Look to portraits of the period, and you often find a young person whom we would today guess to be much older than their actual age.) I have nary a complaint for this excellent film; watching it repeatedly only gives me new pleasures in catching something subtle or sly I had not noticed before. Truly brilliant!
Rating:
Summary: A Delight!
Review: A bittersweet tale of life in Regency England during the time of the Napoleonic wars. Anne Elliott is an unmarried gentlewoman approaching thirty. The daughter of a vain, spendthrift and foolish baronet, Anne's sense of duty led her, eight years before, to break off her engagement to an "unsuitable" Lieutenant of the British Navy. When at last they meet again, Anne, who's youthful looks are gone, endures agonies as, now Captain, Wentworth with a fortune far exceeding her fathers, plans to marry - someone else. Outstanding performances by the cast - and Sophie Thompson (Emma's sister, and actually a finer actress by far) gave a truly masterful performance as Mary Musgrove.
Rating:
Summary: This film has a beautiful, haunting melancholy
Review: that is hard to resist. I have watched this film over and over since I first saw it. The more times that I see it, the more it "pierces my soul" as Frederick writes to Anne in the passionate letter that finally brings them together. Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds are perfect in their roles. The rest of the cast, especially Sophie Thompson as Mary and Samuel West as William Elliot, are also very fine. The first part of the film, with it's brooding quiet and sense of stagnation, tells you everything you need to know about Anne's years of dully enduring her pain and loss. You can feel her agony when the Wentworth family enters her life again. And her sense of release as she stares out the window at rainy Bath, when she is convinced that Frederick will marry Louisa and all her hopes and dreams are finally over. This is Anne's phoenix-like moment, when she allows herself to live for herself, not memories of what might have been. Anne's joy when she finds out that Frederick is still free and her determination not to squander this unlooked for opportunity are wonderful moments. Was this Jane Austen's (or Roger Mitchell's) intention? That Anne could not be happy until she "found" herself again? That Frederick would love only what was worthy to be loved? Interesting. Anne Elliot is a great character, worthy of a film like this.
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully done!
Review: What I loved best about this film was that the love between Anne and Captain Wentworth was so quiet but true. The most moving scene is when Captain Wentworth, who can contain himself no longer, writes a letter to Anne expressing his love. Immediately after, they meet in the square among the carnival goers. Not a word is spoken as she slowly offers her hand (her love) to him and he accepts it lovingly. In this scene, it is so wonderfully apparent that they are totally oblivious their surroundings and completely immersed in each other and the wonder of their rediscovered love. Call me a romantic, but I love that. This may not be an exciting movie, but it is quitely stirring...
Rating:
Summary: This is a great movie!
Review: This is a great movie!!!!! This is definitely a 'romantic comedy'. Hilarious at certain parts in the story. But be WARNED: you really HAVE to watch it at least twice to really see the subtle humor that is cleverly slipped in. It is intriguing. There is a lot of depth to the story and hidden meanings behind glances and side comments. So be sure to get cozy and don't get distracted for a moment so you can grasp every detail of what is UNSAID. It is a sweet love story.
Rating:
Summary: A film that captures Austen's rich depth of emotion
Review: Apparently the viewer from Baltimore is not the nuanced fan of Jane Austen she (or he) would like to think she is. Perhaps "fans" such as this would prefer, say, Leonardo de Caprio and Cameron Diaz in the lead roles. I do not, however, believe this is what Austen would have wanted. "Persuasion" was Austen's last novel, and it is her most deeply felt and serious as well. It is often thought to be a reflection of the middle-aged and unmarried Austen's own experience of missed love, but in her case it never had a happy ending. There is a more sombre and bitter-sweet tone to this novel than to her others, and only the coarsest reading of it could miss that atmosphere. The film perfectly captures the feelings of an earnest woman who is beautiful in her own right, and attractive due to her intelligence and gentleness of spirit. She is clearly made of higher stuff than most of those who surround her, yet the brilliant actors and direction never resort to obvious or heavy-handed caracatures of types. Captain Wentworth is not pretty and is, thankfully and quite rightly, not attractive in the glossy, big-toothed Hollywood sort of way. He is, instead, handsome in his dashing and forceful character. Both Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds are perfectly cast in this wonderful and faithful adaptation of Jane Austen's masterpiece.
Rating: 
Summary: a total disappointment
Review: Being a great fan of Jane Austen, I've read the novel "Persuasion" many times, but this movie ruins my memory of the book. The script might be mostly faithful to the novel, and those who haven't read the book might like the movie for its story. BUT those who have read the book will only find this movie a huge disappointment, for aesthetically this movie is poorly done. First of all, The two main characters are miscast. Amanda Root looks too old to be Anne. Although Anne is not supposed to look very young, but according to the book, people still find her attractive, special, and even beautiful. Amanda Root, on the contrary, only looks like an ordinary middle-aged woman who can hardly excite any admiration. Ciaran Hinds is miscast as Captain Wentworth for similar reasons. Besides the miscasting, the overall look and atmosphere of the picture is rather coarse compared to Emma Thompson's "Sense and Sensibility," which is the only movie adaptation of Jane Austen's novel that is worthy of the original and the only one that I'll recommend.
Rating:
Summary: I always anticipate the time I can watch it again!
Review: Persuasion is a compelling film. I love watching two people who are meant to be together stay faithful and be rewarded in the end. Can you imagine how excellent the kiss is when they have finally given themselves permission to be together for the rest of their lives. I get the chills everytime! Love is powerful, this movie portrays it as such. I can't wait to watch it again.
Rating:
Summary: British drama at its best!
Review: The somber tone that Jane Austen intended for this story is superbly played out on the screen. You can actually feel the weight on Anne's heart as she becomes aware of Wentworth's change of circumstance and quietly observes his growing attachment to Louisa. I applaud Amanda Root's portrayal of such an intricate character!
Rating: 
Summary: A superb adaptation of a beautiful novel
Review: After seeing the movie "Persuasion," I was impelled to do two things at once:(a) buy a copy of the novel; and (b) learn more about the works of the lead actors, Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds. Jane Austen's story-telling is incomparable, but this adaptation, with its excellent cast, screenplay, and direction, is nearly as good as the real thing. (P.S. If anyone needs help writing a love letter, be sure to read Captain Wentworth's note to Anne Elliott toward the end of the novel/film. It is probably one of the most heartfelt and passionate declarations of love in English literature.)
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