Movie Review: Emma Is Revived As Jane Austen’s Pride
Not many people understand how important Jane Austen is to literature. Back in the day, and currently in online dating, women were not seen as having a choice in whether they wanted to be loved or loving towards a man. While arranged marriages still occur in the world, in her time, it was the only way. Power determined partnerships, but she changed that by making love a factor. Directed by Autumn De Wilde, the film is made for those that love Jane Austen and appreciate her works for humanizing women and giving us the power to love.
Anya Taylor-Joy plays Emma, and she is perfect. If your read the book, or maybe it was just me, Emma was kind of annoying and mean. She was clearly a privileged, little girl whose life without issues had fooled her into believing she had wisdom. After all, who hasn’t felt bold in telling someone how to heal from a problem they have never faced? Emma lives in that space, and, while Taylor-Joy filled her with grace and elegance from head to toe, she is also smart in amplifying that Emma is an oblivious kid with good intentions. Thus, the story becomes about a young girl, with a good heart, that learns it needs to be better by also expanding her mind.
EMMA Trailer # 2 (2020) Anya Taylor-Joy, Jane Austen Comedy Movie HD
While Taylor-Joy rivets as Emma, she becomes a gem amongst a golden chain of a cast. Each actor is perfect in solidifying and holding the screen for her shine. Johnny Flynn plays the rigid and morally dignified George Knightley, whom, for fans of the books, is the equivalent to Pride And Prejudice’s Mr. Darcy. Flynn captures the frustration of Knightley in knowing Emma can be a better person, but also knowing she has not taken the journey yet to become one. Still, she has her hilarious and constantly cold father, Bill Nighy as Mr. Woodhouse, and the wide-eyed saccharine Harriet Smith, played wonderfully by Mia Goth.
Sometimes, it is hard to like a nice person because, well,….. .they seem so nice. Yet, Goth’s portrayal of Harriet is integral to the film and Emma’s journey, which is why their friendship is like a breathe of fresh on the screen. Taking place in 1800’s England, the duo make you wonder what girl friendships looked like in such old-world chalets. Even so, we definitely see what rivalries look like with
EMMA. Clip – Mr. Knightley (2020) Anya Taylor-Joy
Emma’s treatment of the TALENTED pianist Jane Fairfax (Amber Anderson) and her absolute shadiness towards Miranda Hart’s lovable Mrs. Bates. Still, that is my point. Jane Austen’s progressiveness and feminism came in her shining a light that women have dynamics both within themselves and towards each other. HOW HUMAN!
I will say I liked Emma, but I also love Jane Austen novels. Thus, this adaptation is perfect for Austenites, but may not be so captivating for those that do not enjoy 1800’s humor and heart. Yet, from visuals to verbosity, Autumn De Wilde adaptation is transformative and transfixing. You watch the lavish costumes and the snideness of the upper echelons of society with glee. Emma will be released in theaters on March 6.
