Review of Wuthering Heights (2011) by Paul K — 31 Dec 2012

Pared back to the story's elements, this taciturn, heightened and visceral rendition of the familiar tale of furious love is more visual tone poem than narrative. Arnold focuses on creating a physical sense of the two youngsters as they romp unselfconsciously in bleak and brooding moors which are almost palpably windy, cold and wet. Wobbly-cam allows the viewer to share their intimacy, but also adds an anachronistic whiff of the 'found footage' genre. This early part dragged a little for me although it does give you time to develop a sense of the depth of their bond.

As adult actors take over we seem to move very quickly from Heathcliff's humiliation and rage through to recrimination, death and beyond, but the 'haunting' is handled with refreshing if almost unbearable earthiness.

I couldn't help wondering if I would have found the story more engaging if I hadn't already known where it was heading. We probably didn't need another adaptation of this novel, but Arnold's bold, uncompromising vision stays with you like a half-remembered dream.