While any good book can be adapted into a movie, the classics tend to get multiple chances at doing it right. The most recent example of this is Netflix's Persuasion, which takes on the Jane Austen novel of the same name. The story follows Anne as she attempts to find love and a secure future, despite rejecting her soulmate several years before.
The film does an excellent job telling the audience everything they need to know about a character in their first appearance through Anne's narration. However, it can also be helpful to look at their first and last lines to see how they've changed from start to finish. Though some characters finish the story exactly as they started it, others are shockingly different from their first to last scenes.
First: "Sir Walter Elliot, Born March 1st, 1760."
Last: Anne, We Need You To Do Italian For Our Cousins.
Sir Walter Elliot
Sir Elliot is introduced as an excessively vain man, and that is born out through his first and last lines. In his first, he is reading about himself in a book, proudly extolling his best accomplishments. This is doubly conceited, as the audience soon discovers that he is reading something he wrote himself.
He's not much better by his ending. Walter believes that clinging to their high-status cousins will boost their own personal standing, so he is demanding Anne abandon her conversation to show off her knowledge of Italian. From start to finish, he is a man only concerned with himself.
First: Shame There Wasn't Anything Nice To Add About You, Anne.
Last: Anne! Hurry Up!
Elizabeth Elliot
Elizabeth talks about Anne a surprising amount of the time, though never in a positive light. Her first line is full of condescension, as she mocks Anne for not being worthy of a detailed description in whatever book chronicles their family's accomplishments.
In the end, she is still focused on using Anne as a tool to help herself. While Anne tries to talk to Wentworth, Elizabeth yells out to her to hurry up. They are still socializing with their relatives, and Elizabeth is only concerned with Anne insofar as she can yell at her.
First: Careful, Boys, Ladies Don't Like To Be Trampled.
Last: Where Are They?
Charles Musgrove
Charles may be a better parent than Mary, but that doesn't say much. When he's first introduced, he is bringing the children in and warns them not to overwhelm Mary and Anne. He is clearly the more responsible of the pair, and viewers might question how he and Mary ended up together.
However, in the end, he's just as foolish and distractable as she is. While everyone attends Mr. Elliot and Penelope Clay's wedding, his children are running around, getting into trouble. He asks Mary where their children are, and while audiences might worry for the children's sake, they understand the marriage far more.
First: Anne Elliot.
Last: I'll Make Sure This Letter Gets To iral Croft.
Captain Harville
Captain Harville is in the movie more for his functionality than his personality. His first line is spent acknowledging Anne, with a tone to his voice that suggests he knows precisely what her relationship with Wentworth was. He then gives her the opportunity to impress Wentworth by helping Benwick.
His final appearance gives him the chance to clear up the misunderstanding about which Captain Louisa is marrying. Their newfound love shows the triumph of true connection, and while he plans to take Wentworth away from Anne, his words are what finally get them together.
First: You Must Retrench. You Have No Choice.
Last: Well, I'm Here When You Want Me.
Lady Russell
Lady Russell is introduced as the wise older woman who counsels Anne and her family, but her later misinformation shows the flaw in trusting others' advice. She first appears when the debt collectors come for Sir Elliot, and she details her plan for how they can save money and recover.
However, she is less sure of herself in her final appearance, an unusual deviation from the standard mentor role. The information she shares turns out to be wrong, and she is at a loss for how to help Anne. She loses her authority, which adds to the idea that Anne listening to her in the first place was a poor decision.
