Emily Bronte’s 1847 novel Wuthering Heights is a classic piece of literature has been adapted and re-adapted hundreds of times over the years, to mixed effect. The original is a deft exploration of the consequences of the tumultuous, volatile thing that is teenage romance, but unfortunately Lifetime’s new adaptation of the lauded Victorian drama falls far short of the original, succumbing to the same tedium and banality that plagues so many of the networks made-for-television melodramas.
The story revolves around Cathy Earnshaw, a wealthy teenage girl who, upon losing her mother and experiencing slut-shaming at high school, is struggling to cope. When Heath, the son of an employee of Earnshaw’s father who has just been deported to Mexico, is brought in to the family, Cathy’s grief turns to happiness as the couple embark on an irresistible romance. Each is trying to fill a whole in their lives, but when Earnshaw is ostracised further by her high school clique for dating the rather unconventional immigrant, she bows to the pressure and opts for a more popular boy. What follows is a story of betrayal, passion, jealousy and pride, one with undeniably tragic consequences.
Wuthering High School simply isn’t a good re-telling of the story however. Starting with the acting, wooden and unimpressive performances are offered by practically every character. Missed opportunities are also prevalent throughout. James Caan – well known for his portrayal of Sonny in The Godfather and similarly excellent performances in Misery and Las Vegas – is constrained by the terrible dialogue, directing and generally baleful re-imagining. All I could think of whilst watching the film was the far more entertaining image of James Caan telling Cathy to be quiet and proceeding to spell out his burgeoning gambling issues, a la The Gambler. Of course, if that film were transplanted into the world of Wuthering High School in such a manner; there would be no mob, just a player who’s exhausted all of his free welcome bonuses but still feels like playing a few games on UpTownAces. It’s an experience many people experience today, but you wouldn’t cast Caan to act out the scenario. In essence, that’s what Wuthering High School does to the veteran actor; it cheapens his stellar prowess, but only after you’ve initially asked the question, why is this story being told in the first place?
One of the main problems of the film is the setting itself. Bronte’s novel creates most of the mood and meaning from the blustery and wild locations in which the plot takes place. Here, in the vacuous and overdone city of Malibu, any shred of the original’s intricacy is completely lost. Arguments in the girls’ bathroom, drug-fuelled teen parties – filled with actors who all look like they’re in their late twenties – and cack-handed nods to practically every teen-orientated movie ever produced; Wuthering High School – I can’t express enough how much I despise that title, by the way – has it all!
Of all of the problems endemic in the movie, the writing is by far the biggest issue. At the end of the film when Earnshaw tells Linton that she loves Heath a heck of a lot more, Linton responds; “Friendzoned. That’s what I get for being nice”. One of Wuthering Heights’ standalone moments, cannibalised for the Instagram generation; it perfectly encapsulates the entire film’s approach!
This review was written by Lisa Allison