The imagination behind Wuthering Heights.|Oct. 14, 2022|Australia|130 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;History;Romance
Description: Emily Brontë is best known for her only novel, “Wuthering Heights.” Inspired by romanticism and gothic fiction, the story revolves around Mr. Lockwood, an Englishman who discovers two diaries during his unsettling stay at Wuthering Heights in Yorkshire. These diaries reveal a complex and passionate love story between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, whose intense relationship ultimately brings destruction to themselves and those around them.
Frances O’Connor’s 2022 film, “Emily,” explores the life of the renowned writer before her classic novel was written and published. The two-hour drama delves into Emily’s resilience and challenges, highlighting the pressures she faced from her family. These expectations stifled her creative ambitions and nearly pushed her into a teaching career alongside her sister, Charlotte.
The film strongly emphasizes the dynamics of family relationships, portraying both their strength and struggles. Emma Mackey (as Emily) and Fionn Whitehead (as Branwell Brontë) deliver remarkable performances, showcasing their on-screen chemistry as siblings. One standout scene, “Freedom In Thought,” features the duo on a vast, desolate grassland where Branwell encourages Emily to scream freely, symbolizing liberation of the mind. This powerful moment resonates deeply, as both characters momentarily set aside their personal burdens to embrace true freedom.
Emily’s bonds with her sisters, Charlotte (Alexandra Dowling) and Anne (Amelia Gething), also play a crucial role in the narrative. Their relationship significantly influences Emily’s creativity and writing, despite facing constant criticism and doubt from her siblings. The film beautifully captures the essence of Emily Brontë’s life and the forces that shaped her timeless work.
Cast director: Frances O’Connor
Cast actor: Emma Mackey, Fionn Whitehead, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Alexandra Dowling, Gemma Jones, Adrian Dunbar, Amelia Gething, Veronica Roberts, Gerald Lepkowski, Paul Warriner
Original name: Emily