by Samantha Chase
The classic and beloved tale has returned to the big screen in this vibrant and comedic take on Jane Austen’s Emma.
Jane Austen once wrote that Emma would be “a heroine whom no one but myself will much like,” and Anya Taylor-Joy absolutely brings that to life in her performance of Emma. Bratty and selfish, she presents an entitled facade. We all know that one person who gets away with criticizing others because of their social status – up until a point, that is. With the help of her neighbor, Mr. Knightley (Johnny Flynn); her father, Mr. Woodhouse (Bill Nighy); her sweet, naive friend, Harriet; and the daily experiences with the people around her, Emma is eventually able to develop a sense of self-awareness and mature by the end of the film in a satisfying conclusion.
The film follows Emma through a year of her life, as she navigates the complicated social dynamics of early nineteenth-century England. Although the primary plot points involve romance – including a swoon-worthy dance scene – this movie is first and foremost a satire. Audiences will be laughing throughout, at the worries of poor Mr. Woodhouse, Emma’s snide, entitled comments, and Harriet’s need to please. The most constant source of entertainment, surprisingly, is the actions of the servants in Emma’s world. Their confusion at the main characters’ actions and hurried steps to do what is asked plays into the film’s satirical view of wealth in this time. Jane Austen would be proud.
The narrative of the film can be all over the place at times, creating what can become a confusing narrative. Although every thread ties up neatly, some of the characters who are meant to have a purpose fall into the background as comedic fodder. Mr. Woodhouse, for example, is clearly supposed to have a close relationship with his daughter, Emma, but because he is rarely shown except to point out a potential draft in the room, audiences cannot understand why he is so important to Emma in the end.
Emma’s true co-star throughout the film was the production team. The immersive sets were painted in vibrant, captivating colors faithful to the period – and what a period it was. Beautiful statues, wallpapers, artwork, costumes, and landscape will make the audience understand Emma’s desire to never leave her home in Highbury. If nothing else, audiences will love this film for its images.
The music of the film further immerses audiences in Emma’s world. Director Autumn De Wilde talked about the music of each scene as “writing in the key of the voices of the actors” in order to create a relationship between what audiences are seeing and hearing. The film also included both folk music and “ballroom” music from the time period, which feels out of place at first, but after a couple scenes, makes sense within the film.
Although fans of the novel likely want (and expect) to see a faithful rendition of their favorite moments, this newest adaptation takes to that task from a different perspective. De Wilde emphasized “humanizing the characters” throughout the film, which included quick moments of partial nudity, hilarious reactions, and one sadly mis-timed nosebleed. The film ensures that both book lovers and new fans will be able to fall in love with the world of Emma.
Don’t miss Emma in select theaters on February 28th, and everywhere March 6th!