‘Wuthering Heights’ Review: Star power isn’t enough to carry this adaptation
In a typical love story, you’re often left rooting for both of the romantic leads. Wuthering Heights may be the exception to this.
In the film’s first act, we’re given the background of Catherine (Margot Robbie) and Heathcliffe (Jacob Elordi) from their childhood to the present. Even during the scenes set during their childhood, you get the sense that this is more of a friendship than romance.
This makes it even harder to believe the events that follow. All grown up, Catherine decides that the best way to solve her family’s issues is to marry into money. Heathcliffe leaves Catherine behind after hearing an incredibly coincidental and conveniently timed argument between Cathering and Nelly.
Upon his return, Heathcliffe is an entirely different character. He is seemingly interested in only one thing - Catherine. And if he can’t have her, he wants to make sure she is miserable too. The shift in tone from the first act of the film is quite jarring. From a romance that is akin to ships in the night, to a steamy affair that borders on animalistic, Wuthering Heights can’t quite commit to what kind of story it wants to be. Is it going for the classic rom-com feel, or is this 50 Shades of Grey set in a different time?
Judging by the film’s valentines release, they’re probably banking on two things: the racy parts of the movie creating buzz, and an A-list cast to back it up. After seeing Wuthering Heights, I may need to reconsider deciding to see a movie on star power alone. Robbie and Elordi give passable performances when talking, and passionate performances during love-making scenes. Perhaps that is where the substance of the movie lives. Outside of that, Wuthering Heights doesn’t have much to offer.
By the time you leave the theatre, you’ll probably have realized that there’s nobody left to root for except Edgar, who gets the privilege of not having to deal with any of these people hereafter.