If you are a fan of Bronte's novel, or read it recently, then you will be disappointed with the film as it deviates much from the novel and is not about the place of Wuthering Heights at all, but solely about Heathcliff. It is this character's experiences as a foundling in the Earnshaw family and his return later as a man of means that forms the narrative. It is, therefore, a film of two halves.
The first half features young actors in the roles of Heathcliff and Cathy and is shot in a naturalistic way with the sounds of nature (weather, insects and animals) forming the 'soundtrack'. The dialogue is minimal with much given over to sensual and savage nature and the relationship between the two protagonists developing through shared interaction with the natural environment. For example, when they ride bare back and the juddering camera, representing Heathcliff's eyes, moves between the horse's mane and Cathy's hair. The use of the Moors and nature is the most faithful representation and homage to Emily Bronte's novel.
The second half features the adult actors: Arnold's discovery James Howson as Heathcliff and Kaya Scodelaria as Cathy. Neither are bad by any means but they are no match for young actors Solomon Glave and Shannon Beer, respectively. Scodelaria is nothing like Beer and this represents a problematic break in the film's authenticity. The second half is also the most radical departure from the novel and it is a pity that Arnold did not adapt the novel basing it in the youth of Heathcliff and Cathy and no more because in the first half this worked well.
The film is typically Arnold whose previous films (Fish Tank and Red Road) take the working classes and explore their lives. This is the tale she wants to present in the film, but the novel is not so focused on the working classes and Arnold portrays the Earnshaws as borderline poor working class, which they are not. Arnold excels in showing the gritty reality of lives and certainly achieves this in the opening half of the film.
Watch this with an open mind and allow yourself to be awed by the wind, the driving rain and relentlessness of nature explored by two young people who forge a strong bond as a result. Do not expect a film that is faithful to, or a close adaptation of, the book.
The first half features young actors in the roles of Heathcliff and Cathy and is shot in a naturalistic way with the sounds of nature (weather, insects and animals) forming the 'soundtrack'. The dialogue is minimal with much given over to sensual and savage nature and the relationship between the two protagonists developing through shared interaction with the natural environment. For example, when they ride bare back and the juddering camera, representing Heathcliff's eyes, moves between the horse's mane and Cathy's hair. The use of the Moors and nature is the most faithful representation and homage to Emily Bronte's novel.
The second half features the adult actors: Arnold's discovery James Howson as Heathcliff and Kaya Scodelaria as Cathy. Neither are bad by any means but they are no match for young actors Solomon Glave and Shannon Beer, respectively. Scodelaria is nothing like Beer and this represents a problematic break in the film's authenticity. The second half is also the most radical departure from the novel and it is a pity that Arnold did not adapt the novel basing it in the youth of Heathcliff and Cathy and no more because in the first half this worked well.
The film is typically Arnold whose previous films (Fish Tank and Red Road) take the working classes and explore their lives. This is the tale she wants to present in the film, but the novel is not so focused on the working classes and Arnold portrays the Earnshaws as borderline poor working class, which they are not. Arnold excels in showing the gritty reality of lives and certainly achieves this in the opening half of the film.
Watch this with an open mind and allow yourself to be awed by the wind, the driving rain and relentlessness of nature explored by two young people who forge a strong bond as a result. Do not expect a film that is faithful to, or a close adaptation of, the book.