Written by Luke Barnes
Summary
Netflix uses a beloved classic novel as toilet paper.
I could have told you the exact second this was announced that it would be awful. Netflix has proven they lack any kind of sensibility that would allow them to properly pull off an Austen adaption, think of Emma from a few years ago now Netflix would never make a film like that. No, rather instead Netflix has to modernise, Netflix has to Americanise and crucially Netflix has to turn any period piece they try and adapt in to Bridgerton. All three of these things combined lead this film to be truly abysmal.
Moreover, wherein Austen’s words are timeless the script presented here not only doesn’t know what it wants to be but does decide on being cringe at every available opportunity. In addition whilst diversity is always a welcome thing, here it is quite clearly cynically forced into proceedings just for the sake of no one trying to cancel them. This again feels like a very American move.
In addition whoever is Dakota Johnson’s agent needs to be fired right sharp, as her being in this just as the memory of those awful Fifty Shades Of Grey movies is starting to fade from people’s minds is entirely not what she needs at all. Worse yet she isn’t even very good in this mess of a film.
The one silver lining of this film is that it features Henry Golding and he is always charming and watchable, sadly he is having his time wasted here.
Overall, Netflix really, really need to revaluate their content output.
Pros.
Golding
Cons.
It doesn’t understand Austen or her sensibilities at all
It bastardises the characters and story as a whole
It is generic
It feels incredibly American
Johnson
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Another Millennial Reviewer 