While Fennell did not bind herself slavishly to the Brontë text, she did authentically capture the dark, feverish, swallow-your-soul passion at the center of the love story. This version isn’t built for comfort; it’s built for speed. In the novel, of course, a great deal more happens that is tangential to the romance. People in 1847 had more time on their hands and a better tolerance for pedantic detail. This Wuthering Heights has jettisoned anything that would slow it down. It has been stripped down to the bare metal and had the serial numbers filed off. Everyone who isn’t Heathcliff or Cathy gets violently pushed aside. The framing story of Lockwood is gone, and this is not Nelly’s flashback.
As such, Elordi and Robbie must hold our attention for over two hours, which is a big ask. They succeed beyond any reasonable expectation. Their chemistry sizzles, and it’s impossible not to get lost in their obsession with each other. The relationship is one of the most toxic in literature, but there’s no escaping that. Casting Hong Chau as Nelly and having her be only a little older than Cathy is an odd choice, but it works on the strength of Chau’s performance. She demands her time in the light, and gets it, which is impressive given the juggernaut of dark fire she’s pulling attention from.
“…Elordi and Robbie must hold our attention for over two hours, which is a big ask. They succeed beyond any reasonable expectation.”
The actors portraying young versions of Cathy (Charlotte Mellington) and Heathcliff (Owen Cooper) set the stage for the fireworks that come later. Cooper, in particular, sells us on the ragged orphan from the streets. We’ve seen him earlier in an amazing performance in the Netflix miniseries Adolescence.
This film needs to be seen on a big screen, as Linus Sandgren’s cinematography is sweeping and awe-inspiring. The desolate moors reflect the emptiness in the characters. The jutting rocky promontories and fog-wreathed views of the ocean are breathtaking. The soundtrack features haunting songs from Charlie XCX created for the film.
There is much to recommend in Wuthering Heights, but not everyone will be onboard. It deviates from the book significantly. This film will need to find its audience while suffering the slings and arrows of English teachers and literary purists, as well as cinema snobs who prefer one of the many other adaptations. People have always been drawn to this dark, desperate romance and the willingness of these characters to burn in that fire. Even if this doesn’t wind up being your favorite version of the film, it’s worth seeing Fennell’s updated take.
"…needs to be seen on a big screen..."
