By ANGELA DRAKE
There are no subtitles in International Cinema films this week.
Three English films, 'Sense and Sensibility,' 'Emma' and 'Persuasion' are playing until Saturday in 250 Spencer W. Kimball Tower.
The films, based on Jane Austen's novels, are not action-packed or filled with special effects; they explore the profound -- human nature in relationships.
'Persuasion' is the most unfamiliar film. It opened quietly in 1995 and cannot boast a star-studded cast as 'Sense and Sensibility' with Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant. Still, Jane Austen fans will enjoy its compelling plot.
In 'Persuasion,' Anne Elliot (Amanda Root) refuses the hand of Frederick Wentworth (Ciaron Hind) when she is 19, and resigns herself to a spinster's role. Lady Russell (Susan Fleetwood) persuades Anne to break off the engagement because he has neither fortune nor connections. Anne is unhappy, yet tries to persuade herself that she made the right choice.
Anne's father, Sir Walter Elliot (Corin Redgrave), needs to rent his home, Kellych Hall, because of his prodigal nature. Admiral Croft (John Woodvine) and his wife (Fiona Shaw) rent the home. Frederick is Mrs. Croft's brother, and so he encounters Anne again.
The naval officer, of eight years previous, becomes Captain Wentworth, who has become rich and successful. Anne avoids him, persuading herself that whatever they once felt for each other has dissolved.
Captain Wentworth becomes enchanted with two other young women, Louisa (Emma Roberts) and Henrietta (Victoria Hamilton), yet their foolish actions cause his affections to dissipate.
Wentworth and Anne meet again at Bath, where he finds that she has a suitor, her cousin William Elliot (Samuel West). Lady Russell tries to persuade Anne that William is right for her, based on his rank and wealth. Anne is caught between the persuasions of her heart and her friend's advice.
Anne and Admiral Croft's conversation in Bath unleashes the epiphany. Within Wentworth's earshot, they debate whether it is harder for men or women to forget the one they love. Anne claims it is harder for women, since they must stay confined and quiet to their homes, while men can venture on to new voyages.
'Our feelings prey upon us,' she said. Yet Croft believed the reverse from reading literature about the fickleness of women.
Wentworth writes furiously during Anne and Croft's discussion, even dropping his inkwell to the floor. He and Croft leave, yet a letter remains on the table. Anne reads the letter, in which Wentworth implores her to not think that men can easily forget the ones they love. He said he tried to forget her, but, 'You pierce my soul.'
Anne is persuaded.
This film lacks a fast-paced plot because it would be counterproductive to the subtle humor and introspective dialogue. It would also go against English society in the early 1800s, the film's setting. Such a film allows simple things -- facial expressions, tones of voice, holding hands -- to become overstatements, showing their significance.
'Persuasion' and the other films based on Austen's novels excel in their ability to explore human nature, where something new can always be found.
Persuasion plays today at 3:15 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. It plays again on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 7:40 p.m.