Focus Features
I have read only one Jane Austen novel in my life. That was ‘Pride and Prejudice’ which was part of a class in high school. I have seen a few adaptations of her works and EMMA. is the most recent. I am not a fan of the time period for the novels and films as well. I didn’t have any prior knowledge of the story or even the Gwyneth Paltrow film, which was released in 1996. I was a little hesitant to see this film since of my lack of interest, but I am glad I checked it out!
Emma is played by Anya Taylor-Joy, a young woman who occupies her time with matchmaking her family and friends. Much like previous Austen adaptations, EMMA. takes place in Regency Era England. The novel was written by Jane Austen in 1815 and was the last novel of hers to be released before her death. ‘Emma’ has been adapted many times including the 1996 film and the popular 2009 BBC mini-series, neither of which I have seen.
Anya Taylor-Joy was charming in the film as a young girl who is constantly inserting herself into other people’s relationships. She felt very regal at times but also balanced the moments of being quirky. She takes her matchmaking skills very seriously, often bragging about them to her father, played by Bill Nighy. While matchmaking her friends, the film managed to throw in some humor amongst Emma and her friends that I found to be hilarious. I wasn’t expecting myself to laugh as much as I did during the film.
Some of the minor characters, who Emma is matchmaking, felt underdeveloped and generic characters. The film focused a lot on Harriet (Mia Goth) and her relationship with George Knightley and Frank Churchill. The film bounces back and forth between the two men and who Harriet may end up marrying at the end of the film. I didn’t connect with a few of these characters, mostly Harriet and Frank, who I found to be dull and I didn’t care much for their storylines.
Focus Features
Since I didn’t know much about the story, I didn’t know how the film was going to end. Emma spent the film matchmaking her friends, but I really wanted to see Emma find love herself. The film had a nice progression of creating a love interest for Emma and building it up over time. The film ended on a high note and gave what I wanted to see from the character. Her relationship with Mr. Knightley was a highlight of the film as they argued quite often, but the attraction they had for each other was undeniable and it led to some great chemistry amongst Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny Flynn.
The film is beautiful to look at. The costumes and interior moments are handled with such care. This is the type of film that I could see being nominated for an Academy Award for its costume designs. The men and women all dressed beautifully. Director Autumn de Wilde creates scenes that allow for the viewer to take in all the beauty.
Without having any prior knowledge of the story and a lack of interest, I found EMMA. to be a charming, fun film that I certainly wouldn’t mind revisiting in the future. With some Universal films, like The Invisible Man and The Hunt hitting VOD sooner than planned, EMMA. is one you should give a watch!
EMMA. has a run time of 2 hours 4 minutes, and is rated PG for brief partial nudity.
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