A passionate and tumultuous love story set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, exploring the intense and destructive relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.
Catherine Earnshaw (Margot Robbie) and Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi) have been as thick as thieves since they were kids. Opportunity and miscommunication occur, which lead to the two marrying other people. However, that doesn’t stop them from loving each other.
I have read the book and will say this film adapts only the first half of the novel. It also makes some changes, but nothing too drastic. Prior to the film’s release, there was some controversy regarding the casting of Elordi as Heathcliff. The book implies that Heathcliff is not of white European origin.
I will say that after seeing the film, I think casting Edgar Linton as a person of color was a smart choice. Heathcliff is described as brutish and rude in the book. At the same time, Edgar (Shazad Latif) is the kind yet unassuming husband. It’s better to portray people of color in a positive light during these turbulent times in America.
Emerald Fennell directs this film. She previously directed “Promising Young Woman” and “Saltburn.” I am a fan of one of these movies and can tell you that it was not “Saltburn”. I was very skeptical going into “Wuthering Heights,” but I did end up liking the film.
The trailers strongly suggest this will be a steamy period romance film. And it mostly is. The steaminess is not as explicit as I was expecting, honestly. After “Saltburn,” I thought the sex scenes would be more graphic and weird. Fennell kept things more appropriate, but keep in mind this film is rated R.
A nitpick I have about the film is the ages these characters are as adults. Catherine, Heathcliff, and Nelly seem to have been around the same age as children. However, Nelly (Hong Chau) looks about 10 years older than Margot Robbie as an adult, and Margot Robbie looks about 8 years older than Jacob Elordi.
I do think Elordi and Robbie had a believable chemistry together. Heathcliff is only tender in front of Catherine. He likes to vex her. And while Catherine can be quite bratty, she is always looking for Heathcliff.
I must also shout out Alison Oliver, who plays Isabella. She was a comedic standout.
The costuming and production design were unique and heavily contributed to the aesthetic Fennell is known for. They modernized some outfits and décor, which I didn’t mind, but it may put off some viewers and die-hard book fans.
I will say things do not end on a happy note. There’s no happily ever after here, and it’s better to know that going in. There were many tears shed at the end of this film. “Wuthering Heights” is not exactly an uplifting tale. It’s a tragic romance.
In Theaters Friday, February 13th
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