February Film Club: Wuthering Heights

This month for February is no other than a heartbreaking story. The month of love has to be celebrated and what better way than Emily Bronte’s, Wuthering Heights.  

A love story set in the eighteenth century, England came to cinemas just before Valentine's Day, February 13. The classic surrounds two characters, wealthy Catherine Earnshaw and adopted Heathcliff. The two fall in love and what could go wrong? This relationship becomes intense and destructive, set in the Yorkshire Moors. Following Heathcliff becoming a servant to his adopted family, he returns later rich and vengeful. 

I do not know where to start. I have so much to discuss. So grab a cuppa and read me natter on and don't worry, we go through everything. 

Now I have heard so many different views on this film with the moans and huffs. But before I delve into that negativity, remember this is an adaptation, that is not supposed to be a carbon copy of the book. And how could you expect that with Fennell's amazingly warped mind and creating a classic in this modern era? Did it represent our generation of today, yes. Did it have the vital points of the storyline and character, yes. And to remind everyone if you thought this was a lovely spicy romance I can happily say this is a tragedy in all the most beautiful ways. 

At the start of the film before you are introduced to the setting of the stunning Yorkshire Moors you are placed in darkness. The first scene represented the whole film as a whole leading you to think there is a raunchy scene ahead but actually a hanging, how lovely. Making you think something that it was not, foreshadowing the entire film and not to predict. Then onto the title scene as a fan of the Bronte's there was so much depth to it. The title of Wuthering Heights was made with real hair, I know Elordi’s and Robbie's too. This represented the sisters relationship as they made friendship bracelets out of their own hair. This could be looked at as adding to the darkness of the film but I thought it only made it more brilliant and added meaning to it too. 

The film is set within the Yorkshire Moors which was a concern for us northerners, as to whether it would have been represented properly and as beautiful as it is. From a northern girl I can approve, it made me actually fall in love with the countryside we have again and the beauty within that inspired this alluring story. The Earnshaw and Linton household were far from similar. The Earnshaw’s dark, old and used meanwhile Linton’s was sparkly, pristine and well kept. Having these made to the two divides easier to understand the two worlds Catherine and Heathcliff’s realities are. It was really fun to watch from the countryside to the lavish life. It was overwhelming at times along with the music at how impressive and amazing it truly was to watch on screen. You could feel how much effort and time had been put into every thought and every choice they made to create this vision of Wuthering Heights. It was truly a gift to experience. 

Costumes have been a controversial subject as they were not particularly traditional. For myself I loved the mixture and variety of dresses Catherine was able to wear. You could see they experimented with all colours, styles and that they reflected each part of the story. In particular red being in her youth, pastels when meeting Linton and black when grieving Heathcliff's departure. 

One thing that was the only thing that didn't particularly work for me was Isabella Linton’s character. Going with my partner who had never read the book and seeing things online I could understand why. It was confusing who her character was and where she had come from. You had to make the assumption watching. Isabella as a character without the confusion was a brilliant character that I am glad had more spotlight than I thought she would. Her character brought humor and also parts of Catherine. I loved her playfulness even though they would butt heads at times when it came to Heathcliff. 

Choosing Margot Robbie as our Catherine and Jacob Elordi as our Healthcliff was an idea I wasn't sure of. As much as I fancy a bit of Elordi from time o time, I was concerned how this could work. But Elordi killed it, with his talent and perfecting his northern accent it was a pleasure having him as my Heathcliff. Margot Robbie was incredible with her high spirits and mischievous nature that Catherine is through and through. The way she created her character was phenomenal and clever.

Whilst you may be laughing other emotions come into play, anger and upset. The anger and frustration you grew for Nelly. Nelly is her foster sister and servant.  Even though they all had their part to play in the destruction. It gave not only just the lovers story but her own too. Which I thought was clever as they all had one thing in common: jealousy. The sadness part, well you can find out for yourself I do not want to share the news, ha. 

Onto Charli XCX. Smashed it. The soundtrack made it all the more emotional and heartbreaking. I had goosebumps listening and I truly feel that if you aren't fond of her music you can fully appreciate it for this movie. It didn't feel out of place, it was like it was meant to be there. 

A couple of days after seeing the film, I want to watch it again. I have felt in mourning and not the same. Like a part of me has gone and left in the Moors. Fourteen year old me thanks Fennell for an adaptation of this film and feels content. It evolved with myself, time and who we are now.