Audience Reactions to Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights Film
Emerald Fennell's latest cinematic venture, a film adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic novel Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, has sparked a wave of diverse opinions from viewers. The movie, which blends gothic romance with modern aesthetics, has left audiences divided over its faithfulness to the source material and its artistic choices.
Mixed Reviews from English Teachers
A group of six English teachers, aged 30 to 54, shared their collective thoughts after viewing the film. They praised the visually shocking elements and the contrast between lavish costumes and the moor landscape, noting that Fennell captured this aspect well. The inclusion of Charlie XCX music was highlighted as effectively evoking the book's spirit. However, they criticized the film for reducing emotional longing to silliness, lamenting the transformation of Nelly into a villain and the omission of supernatural scenes, such as Heathcliff digging up Cathy's body. While they appreciated character conflations for sympathy, they found inconsistencies in Heathcliff's portrayal.
International Perspectives on the Adaptation
Júlia Fachinetti, a 25-year-old from Sheffield, read the book in preparation and was pleasantly surprised by the film. She noted that the unlikable essence of the characters was maintained, though the unreliable narration of Nelly was not represented due to plot changes. The full cinema on release night suggested strong audience interest despite critiques.
Rachel Mountney, 48, from Ireland, a fan of gothic literature, found the film absorbing but criticized the excessive costumes and set pieces for detracting from the story's intensity. She felt a 21st-century spotlight overshadowed the dark, bleak tone that could have made it more moving.
Critiques from Book Enthusiasts
Cassidy Ellis Salter, 34, from London, described the book as dark and modern, emphasizing its themes of obsession rather than love. She found the film poor, with no chemistry between the leads and boredom from excessive sex scenes and violins. Inconsistencies in Heathcliff's character and surreal elements were noted, along with criticism of the house's design.
Melanie Downs, a teacher from Toowoomba, Australia, viewed the film as a gothic romance but expressed frustration that it might mislead viewers about the book. She appreciated the teenage fan fiction vibe and soundtrack but felt the film could have gone further in depicting obsession, with character portrayals like Isabella and Linton being underwhelming.
Disappointment from Longtime Fans
Richelle Buckingham, 58, from Newcastle, a longtime fan of the book, was disappointed by the film's focus on costumes and symbolism. She found Margot Robbie too Hollywood for the role and was bored enough to leave early without missing the ending.
Gerard O'Doherty, 62, from Clevedon, North Somerset, reread the book after seeing the film and noted its torrid nature. He praised Jacob Elordi's brooding performance but criticized the blond casting of Catherine and the film's music video-like coherence, feeling it rang hollow despite reflecting the director's vision.
Overall, the film has ignited discussions about adaptation fidelity, with viewers appreciating its visual and musical elements while questioning its depth and consistency in portraying Brontë's complex narrative.
