Emerald Fennell's Cinematic Influences: A Journey Through Gothic Love

Emerald Fennell's Cinematic Inspirations

In a recent discussion, Emerald Fennell opened up about her cinematic influences while crafting her adaptation of Wuthering Heights. As the director of the acclaimed film Saltburn, Fennell brings her sharp storytelling flair to the hauntingly beautiful world of Emily Brontë's classic. In an episode of the popular podcast Happy Sad Confused, hosted by Josh Horowitz, Fennell delved into the films that molded her creative vision. The conversation offered a fascinating glimpse into how the magic of cinema can transcend generations and influence modern storytelling.

Unearthing Transformation

“Like any young woman, I would say those movies were completely transformative—not just because of my lifelong, truly psychotic love of Leonardo DiCaprio in those films—but because they were disruptive,” Fennell shared. Her admiration for iconic movies shaped her understanding of love, loss, and the powerful narratives that shape human experiences. The films she mentioned resonate deeply within the fabric of modern romantic storytelling.

1. Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Baz Luhrmann's reimagining of Shakespeare's tragic romance struck a chord with Fennell. By marrying the classic dialogue with a hyper-stylized modern backdrop, Luhrmann made Shakespeare accessible. Fennell notes, “It felt young. It felt like something I could connect to. And he was using Shakespeare's actual words.” This fidelity to source material sparked her ambition to retain Emily Brontë's haunting language in her adaptation, echoing Luhrmann's innovative approach.

2. James Cameron's Titanic (1997)

Fennell regards Titanic as deeply formative, noting its extraordinary mix of sweeping romance and historical tragedy. “Titanic, which could have been an action movie—and in many ways is an action movie—turned out to be the most moving film about being in love,” she said. This emotional transparency, she believes, is often overlooked in contemporary storytelling. Fennell aims to infuse her works with such richness, creating films that resonate long after the credits roll.

3. Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

In discussing Gothic influences, Fennell highlighted Coppola's decadent portrayal of Dracula. “It captures the feeling, the distilled Gothic atmosphere—the sexiness, the camp,” she explained. Her own adaptation of Wuthering Heights draws on the emotional depth of Gothic romance, emphasizing how humor can coexist with melodrama, allowing for a more layered narrative.

4. Mel Brooks' Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)

In a surprising twist, Fennell included Brooks' slapstick comedy on her list. “It's as additive to the canon of Dracula as anything else,” she quipped, highlighting the evolving nature of adaptations in pop culture. For her, the humor in Brooks' work reflects the complexities of romance and underscores her desire to blend lightness with heaviness in storytelling.

5. Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence (1993)

Lastly, Scorsese's restrained yet emotionally charged film about forbidden love in 19th-century New York resonates with Fennell's understanding of romance. The nuanced storytelling and subtle gestures speak volumes, as she mentions the significance of physicality in romance. Fennell draws parallels with Jacob Elordi's character in Wuthering Heights, asserting that talent enhances beauty in ways that captivate.

Conclusion: A New Era of Romantic Storytelling

Emerald Fennell's journey through these films reveals how each has sparked a creative flame within her. The transformation from classic literary forms to cinematic expressions demonstrates the power of storytelling across media. As we anticipate her adaptation of Wuthering Heights, we are reminded to embrace films that shape our understanding of love, heartbreak, and the complexities of human relationships in all their forms.

“I can be cheesy. I can be unironic and earnest… mostly I just want people to feel something.” - Emerald Fennell