Wild Nights with Emily

Wild Nights with Emily

Year: 2019

Runtime: 84 min

Language: English

Director: Madeleine Olnek

HistoryComedy

In 19th-century America, the unconventional poet Emily Dickinson pursues a lifelong romance with her neighbor, Susan. As she strives to share her unique voice and poetry with the world, she confronts resistance from those who uphold traditional societal expectations. A determined editor recognizes her talent and seeks to publish her work, though with her own hidden agenda. Dickinson must navigate these challenges while embracing her true self and her passions.

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Timeline – Wild Nights with Emily (2019)

Trace every key event in Wild Nights with Emily (2019) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Teenage Friendship Blossoms

Emily Dickinson meets Susan Gilbert during a recital at the Amherst Shakespeare Society. Their shared performance as lovers sparks a deep connection that blossoms into a tender romance, culminating in a significant kiss during a walk together.

Amherst Shakespeare Society
2

Family Absence and Growing Affection

With Emily's family embarking on a month-long trip, Susan stays behind, providing the perfect opportunity for their relationship to deepen. They artfully conceal their affection from the outside world, building a bond that thrives in secrecy.

During family trip
3

Long-Distance Love Letters

As Susan takes a teaching job out west, Emily and she engage in an extensive exchange of love letters. This correspondence highlights their emotional intimacy despite the physical distance separating them.

Duration of Susan's teaching job Western United States
4

Surprising Engagement

Upon Susan's return, Emily is heartbroken to learn that Susan has become engaged to Emily's brother, Austin. Susan reveals her reasons for the marriage as a financial necessity, attempting to maintain her connection to Emily even amidst this new reality.

5

Two Decades of Bonding

Twenty years later, Emily and Susan continue to live side by side, their friendship unchanged. They exchange letters frequently, with Emily sharing her poetry and creative snippets while also caring for her garden and neighborhood children.

Twenty years later Amherst
6

Jealousy and New Connections

Emily's relationship with Susan faces strain when Susan becomes preoccupied with her own life. During this time, a widowed woman named Kate visits Susan but unexpectedly forms a deeper connection with Emily.

7

Miscommunication with Judge Lords

Emily's social interactions include a humorous yet awkward encounter with Judge Otis Phillips Lords. His momentary confusion regarding literary figures leaves Emily feeling insecure about her own contributions to literature.

8

Visit from Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Emily expresses her desire to publish her poetry and receives a visit from Thomas Wentworth Higginson. He discusses the complexities of poetic voice, advising her that her work is not yet ready for public consumption while critiquing its nuances.

9

Mabel's Arrival and Affair

Mabel Todd arrives to play the piano for Emily but ends up having an affair with Austin. Their illicit relationship unfolds within Emily’s own home, creating an atmosphere of tension and betrayal as Emily remains unaware.

Emily's home
10

Illness Strikes

Tragically, illness befalls Emily, leading to her eventual death. As her sister Lavinia undertakes the task of preparing Emily's body for burial, the family grapples with the loss of such a beloved figure.

11

Mabel Uncovers Emily's Poetry

After Emily's passing, Mabel discovers a chest filled with Emily's poems and intimate letters to Susan. Her disconcerting mission to redact Susan's name and replace it with male counterparts begins, obscuring the true essence of their bond.

12

Mabel's Manipulations

Years later, Mabel proclaims herself as an authority on Emily’s life, misleading society with her portrayal of Emily as merely a reclusive eccentric. She misattributes Emily's works, ensuring that Susan's presence is conveniently erased from history.

13

Niece's Revelations

During a gathering, Emily’s niece reveals the truth about Emily and her mother's relationship, emphasizing their secret love. However, her talk draws minimal attention, overshadowed by Mabel's authoritative yet inaccurate narrative.

14

Technological Advances Unveil Truth

In the film's closing moments, titles reveal how advancements in technology have unveiled the reality of Mabel's alterations to Emily's letters. This new information confirms Susan's crucial role in Emily's life and the authenticity of their love.

Last Updated: November 09, 2024 at 11:30

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Wild Nights with Emily Summary

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Wild Nights with Emily Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Wild Nights with Emily

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