There are a number of high-profile classic literary adaptations coming out in the next few months, including (but not limited to) Joe Wright's stage-bound "Anna Karenina," Mike Newell's stately "Great Expectations," and "Fish Tank" director Andrea Arnold's "Wuthering Heights." We're not sure why people aren't really talking about Arnold's adaptation — it was one of the absolute highlights of Venice last year for us — but hopefully after this new trailer (courtesy of Vulture), they will be.
Shot beautifully in the squared-off 4:3 aspect ratio (Arnold prefers the format because it puts a maximum emphasis on the actors' faces, but the extra height does wonders here for the period setting), the classic tale from Emily Bronte practically jumps off the screen. "Skins" star Kaya Scodelario plays Catherine, and, in an attention-grabbing first, young black British actor James Howson plays Heathcliff. As anyone who has taken a literature class in the past twenty years can tell you, it's not exactly an easy romance.
Arnold, whose previous film — the very modern "Fish Tank" — absolutely dazzled us, seems to be the perfect director for the project, updating and refining the story we all know and adore while adding new dimensions. We love how muddy and bleak everything in the trailer looks, and the song you're hearing is the one that Mumford & Sons wrote for the closing credits of the movie (called "The Enemy").
"Wuthering Heights" was released in the UK last year and will finally wash ashore next month. It plays New York's Film Forum starting on October 5th and will then expand to Los Angeles, Seattle, and other cities. We can't wait.