Advertisements for the whirlwind romance that is “Wuthering Heights,” a steamy adaptation of the Emily Brontë novel, have taken over the media. As seen in the poster, the title is in quotation marks, signifying the real liberties that director Emerald Fennel took when creating the film. Released this past Valentine’s Day, the film is a romanticized version of scandal that focused on sexuality more than connection.
Please note that I have not read the book or seen any previous adaptation of “Wuthering Heights.”
The film tells the love story of Catherine and Heathcliff, who after growing up together became divided when Catherine goes on to marry a wealthy man named Edgar. The story spans from when Catherine’s family took Heathcliff under their wing as children to the ultimate tragic ending of their scandalous love affair.
The film stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, a seemingly unlikely pairing. Though both actors have a lot of talent in their own respect, the casting choices were questionable. Margot Robbie gives the better of the performances, as she handled Cathy with grace in the film.
The choice of Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff is much more troublesome. Though this review doesn’t take the source material into account, one should acknowledge that Heathcliff is supposed to be a person of color. Elordi is a white man and doesn’t even deliver a good performance with what he was given. Though the tension between Robbie and Elordi is palpable, it feels lackluster compared to the spectacle that trailers promised us.
The movie takes an elaborate approach to the production design. One of the standouts of the film is the expressive costume design. Though not historically accurate, the film’s artistic liberties and ambiguous setting justify the complexly beautiful set design. Sometimes the choices veer into the bizarre, but the location combined with the costuming creates a romantic setting that Fennel’s abstract choices can survive in.
The movie features original music by Charli XCX. Though not inherently bad itself, the music is edited into the movie in inconsistent, abrupt ways that take you out of the story.
Another source of controversy for this adaptation is its overwhelming use of sexual content. What was once longing for each other’s company becomes a romanticized version of adultery and toxicity. For most of the movie, it passes as an erotic choice, but towards the end a dynamic emerges that abruptly shifts the tone of the movie, taking the viewer by surprise.
Overall, “Wuthering Heights” is an entertaining watch that maintains its entertainment value. This movie has remained divisive among audiences, but if you’re someone who enjoys melodrama and period romances, this movie could be for you.
Wuthering Heights is now playing in select theaters.