Don’t Be So Dramatic: Be More
Eye contact, dancing, fancy dresses, wit, intelligence, beauty, romance, soirees, the hand clench…. All notable attributes of period dramas. The perfect movie genre for the hopeless romantic, showing that maybe love IS real.
There is an enduring quality to the idea of pure, passionate love. One where chivalry is not dead but rather thriving despite possible odds. In romantic period dramas, “soulmates” have their chance to flourish. The ideal of the regency-era couple stands atop the hierarchy of romance.
In this genre, the strong heroine who defies societal pressure also commonly comes to the forefront through one character or another. When Elizabeth Bennet calls out Darcy for being an arrogant, selfish bigot. Or when Jo March does not settle for a man she doesn't truly love. And when Eloise Brigerton refuses gender expectation, instead expressing her strong desire to go to University. Just to name a few. This genre is not constrained to infatuated lovers and giggling girls, but rather illuminates plots that follow multi-dimensional female characters that are forced to navigate a rigid patriarchal society.
Through the lens of the (usually English) upper class and ‘everyday people’ a version of one previous era is depicted. Our current milieu appears to provide the perfect foundation for audiences to gravitate towards period dramas. Perhaps it is as simple as the characters defying societal rules, having tension, and frustration about their current position that resonates with us as an audience.
One of the best purveyors of modernized period dramas is Netflix. Addicting plots that hold intense relationship developments, avoidable problems, and excess of privilege encompassed into cinematic art. This platform still holds amazing true to era styled works such as Downton Abbey, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, Jane Eyre etc, with an apparent new turn towards modernized versions of regency era society.
In the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic Netflix released the series Bridgerton. With record breaking watch records– 625 million hours viewed in the first month of season one’s release– Bridgerton proved to be an audience hit. What is the appeal to this genre of media? Is it escapism, a window into simpler times? Or the use of costume design and setting that keeps the audience looking forward to more? Or possibly the modernized version of the regency era that attracts a whole new audience.
Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Bridgerton, created a space for black representation on television in a genre that lacks. Period dramas have the tendency to focus on the attractive asthetiques of the past, disregarding the ‘real’ hardships that occurred. Critics challenged e Bridgerton for being too ‘woke’ with its inclusion of different people of colour that would not be historically accurate during the time period. But shows like Bridgerton prove that they are here to stay and that productions that are reforming the all-white casting narrative, are arguably adding to the success of the genre.
In early 2022, Netflix released its book to movie adaptation of Jane Austen’s popular work Persuasion. Another predictable, but still totally irresistible plot: Anne Elliot (played by Dakota Johnson) dreams about the ex she let get away due to his lack of fortune. Many years pass and by chance they meet again, when regret aligns with second chances.The book is noted to be one of the best romance stories told in literature. Whilst the movie received terrible reviews, the pattern of dislike stemmed from the movie's lack of truth to the book. But arguably, a greater audience was more enamored by the story on the big screen, compared to the good (by personal opinion) albeit boring book.
To further separate this movie from previous Austen Adaptations, Dakota Johnson's character breaks the fourth wall between herself and the audience. This technique serves as a way to include the viewer into the story, not previously used before in this genre. The audience craves media that they can relate to. In period dramas this connection is often to the ideas of unrequited love, heartbreak, complicated dynamics etc. In the case of Dakota Johnson's character in Persuasion, it feels as if she is talking to the audience as a confidant. One cannot help but root for her success.
With first thought of the romantic period drama genre, conventional gender roles and an all white cast may come to mind. These are all recurring factors in this particular genre that can ultimately be determined to be holding this genre back. The modernization of films in this genre do not disregard the beauty of the older films but rather open up a different venue for viewers previously excluded from representation.
Despite the modernization, and change, social pressure that restricts love interests, is one I don't believe will be leaving this genre anytime soon. If you’re a hopeless romantic like myself, I strongly recommend divulging into these movies and series, if you have not yet. Be forewarned, the love interests are incredibly charismatic, and as a viewer, you may develop a new love interest yourself.
