A recent adaptation of Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights” diverges significantly from the source material by explicitly incorporating sexual content. Where the original novel, published in 1847, apparently left the relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff unconsummated, the new film portrays a “hot-blooded affair.” One scene depicts Catherine masturbating while Heathcliff observes and touches her.
A Shift in Genre
The adaptation’s focus on sexuality is described as an attempt to “demythologize Brontë,” questioning assumptions about the constraints of the author’s era. But, the film’s approach to history is characterized as “decorative,” utilizing awkward material fantasies rather than grounding the adaptation in the historical context of the American and French Revolutions.
The film is considered a “banal movie” that isn’t necessarily a poor adaptation, but rather a reflection of a largely forgotten cinematic genre: the romantic drama, or “women’s picture.” These films, popular from the silent era through the 1950s, were exemplified by directors such as John M. Stahl and Douglas Sirk.
Romance in Contemporary Film
Contemporary films, in contrast, appear to feature less overt romance. While “Sinners” includes a love story, it is presented as “fragmentary” and “symbolic.” Other recent films, such as “The Mastermind” and “Hedda,” are described as “bitter about love,” while “The Phoenician Scheme” and “One Battle After Another” focus on paternal love. “Marty Supreme,” though driven by romance, presents a relationship that is “thin” but thematically suggests a profound connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary difference between the film adaptation and the original novel?
The film adds explicit sexual content to the relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff, which was apparently unconsummated in Brontë’s novel.
What genre does the film adaptation appear to be drawing from?
The adaptation appears to be drawing from the cinematic genre of the romantic drama, also known as “women’s pictures,” which was popular from the silent era through the 1950s.
How does the film’s approach to history compare to its portrayal of sexuality?
The film’s approach to history is described as “decorative,” utilizing awkward material fantasies, while its portrayal of sexuality is explicit and central to the narrative.
Given the shift in contemporary film toward less overt displays of romance, what role might adaptations like this play in revisiting and reinterpreting classic stories of love and passion?
