When Emily Brontë wrote Wuthering Heights, she probably wasn’t anticipating that it would be adapted into a teen movie. It would be great to get her thoughts on the project, but since she died in 1848, and Ghost Whisperer only exists in reruns, we’ll just have to assume she’s pleased as punch that her only novel has been adapted for Lifetime’s Wuthering High School.
I love teen dramas, but as a certified teen drama connoisseur, I simply won’t be able to give this film two thumbs up unless the following three conditions are met. First, all students will need to be ridiculously attractive (this rule also pertains to designated “nerds,” who should only be a haircut and new outfit away from being as attractive as everyone else). Second, teens should often be shown at school, but rarely seen in class. It’s important to feature teens in high-drama zones like the school steps, the hallway, or the girls’ bathroom. Third, and most importantly, almost everyone should be rich. When teenagers are extremely wealthy, it helps to explain away questionable storylines. For example, as I make my way through Gossip Girl for the second time, pesky questions keep popping into my head: Why are restaurants serving these obviously underage minors alcohol? And where are their parents? Then I remember these kids are rich, and as someone who isn’t, I can only surmise that’s what life is like for rich teenagers…and then it all makes sense.
Wuthering High School modernizes Brontë’s masterpiece by moving the setting from the moors of England (boring) to a wealthy Malibu high school (of course), and illustrates the central themes of jealousy and vengeance with the tumultuous relationship between social-outcast Cathy and troubled-teen Heath. I have high hopes for this project. Some of the best teen movies have been modern adaptations of classic literature: She’s All That was based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, Clueless was based on Jane Austen’s Emma, and I Know What You Did Last Summer was based on an entry from my 9th-grade diary.*
Tune in to the premiere of Wuthering High School Saturday at 8/7c on Lifetime. Also, be sure to check out all the teen dramas featured in our “High School Heartbreak” collection. From TiVo Central, select “Find TV, Movies, & Videos” then “Browse TV & Movies.” Under “New & Notable,” select the “High School Heartbreak” collection.
* I Know What You Did Last Summer is actually based on a 1973 novel of the same name by Lois Duncan.
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