What does Persuasion change from Jane Austen\u2019s novel?<\/strong><\/h2>\nFrom a narrative point of view, the film sticks reasonably closely to Austen\u2019s novel \u2013 key plot points such as the re-emergence of Frederick Wentworth after several years, Louisa Musgrove\u2019s fall, and William Elliot\u2019s role are all taken directly from the text.<\/p>\n
The film does change a few character details \u2013 for example, the background of Lady Russell \u2013 but by and large the film is a faithful adaptation as far as the major events are concerned.<\/p>\n
But where there are major differences between the book and film are when it comes to tone\u2013 with Cracknell keen to update the film for a modern audience, especially the dialogue.<\/p>\n
Austen\u2019s words are changed to reflect modern parlance, with lead character Anne Elliott re-imagined as Fleabag-esque character who frequently breaks the fourth wall and quips directly to camera.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to adapt this story with a version of Anne who\u2019s incredibly contemporary, strident, and funny,\u201d she explained in the film\u2019s press notes. \u201cSomeone who messes up, gets herself into awkward situations, and gets things wrong.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to take the spirit of the original character and drag her into the current day,\u201d she added. \u201cWhat excited me most was the idea of a younger generation coming to the material and finding themselves represented in more aspects of the story than ever before.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to honor the tropes and traditions of Jane Austen while making the characters more diverse, current, and emotionally available, where people could really see themselves in the characters.\u201d<\/p>\n