Emma. (2020)
“I lay it down as a general rule, Harriet, that if a woman doubts whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him.” – Emma.
Emma. (2020)
Directed by: Autumn de Wilde
Written by: Jane Austen (based on the novel by), Eleanor Catton (screenplay by)
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Mia Goth, Bill Nighy
For period drama connoisseurs, Emma was a beacon in an otherwise droll 2020 offering for cinema. The big-screen adaptation of Jane Austen’s famous novel of the same-name was showered with praise, receiving Oscar nominations for both Costuming and Hair and Makeup. It was also a precursor to Anya Taylor-Joy’s meteoric rise to superstardom, with her performance here receiving rave reviews just before the release of the wildly popular The Queen’s Gambit.
The film focuses on Miss Emma Woodhouse (Taylor-Joy), a wealthy and refined young woman who lives with her father (Nighy) in Regency-era England. Top of the food chain in her small town, Emma bides her time socialising with friends and playing matchmaker amongst the inferior locals. However, with the arrival of a budding bachelor comes unusual feelings for Emma as her life gets thrown into chaos.
First, some housekeeping. It’s difficult to succeed as a Jane Austen film adaptation. This isn’t because the stories are unpopular – quite the contrary; they are SO popular that a new version of the film comes out every few years. For example, just the story of Emma has been adapted into a big Hollywood film in 1996, a TV-movie in 1996, and a popular BBC series in 2009. Therefore, in order to succeed you’ve got to do something unique to stand out.
Director Autumn de Wilde decided that the best way to differentiate her version was to modernise the feel of the film. Vibrant and colourful set pieces add energy to the sometimes pedestrian dialogue, and the use of folk songs makes for a quirky vibe. The costumes and makeup are all super impressive, with the social hierarchy and varying degrees of grandeur clearly differentiated amongst the characters. Aesthetics are pretty flawless here, with the massive manor houses complimenting the gorgeous outfits.
As with most other Jane Austen stories, the film revolves around a woman with two suitors, as the woman has to work out who is honourable and who is not. It’s wildly predictable, but hey, I had fun. The source material is a literary masterpiece, so you get entertaining, snappy dialogue, with characters throwing thinly veiled insults at one another in Old English. If you’re into that sort of thing, you’ll enjoy it, with the cast bringing the humour and drama required. Nighy is funny as always, Goth and Flynn are impressive in their roles, and Taylor-Joy is magnetic as the witty protagonist.
I can’t say this ‘blew me away,’ but that’s just because I don’t think this is Austen’s best novel. There are a few too many detours throughout Emma to truly capture your undivided attention, and the two-hour run time felt 20 minutes too long. However, the visuals, acting, and chirpy dialogue should entertain fans looking for a period piece. Recommend if you’re looking for something light-hearted to throw on that looks pretty.
Rating: 6.75/10
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