EMMA

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https://www.universalpictures.com.au/micro/emma

13/02/2020

Reviewed by Sharon Hurst
http://hurstosfiveminutefilms.blogspot.com

In England in the 1800s, Emma Woodhouse (Anya Taylor-Joy) lives with her morose father (Bill Nighy) in the village of Highbury. The Woodhouses are extremely rich, and Emma, though declaring she'll never marry, delights in matchmaking her friends and meddling in everyone's romantic affairs. To elucidate further on the plot would take forever; suffice to say this is the umpteenth remake of a classic Jane Austen novel, and what a delight it is. Where to begin? I'm first struck by the glorious production values - this film looks outrageously beautiful, from its settings, to its costumes, to its attention to period detail. In certain scenes I gasped at the magnificent cinematography. The casting is perfect. Taylor-Joy gives her Emma an edge that makes one almost hate her for her petty, mean-minded meddling, and her excessive snobbery and vanity, and yet there is enough subtle undercurrent of personal growth and self-awareness to make us love her. All the cast fill their roles perfectly, with special mentions of Mia Goth, as Emma's best friend Harriet and Bill Nighy, the master of the sideways glance, as Emma's father. Broody, handsome Johnny Flynn is just right as the love interest, George Knightley. As with most Austen stories, everyone is a potential love interest, but there is much more to this tale than misplaced affections, afternoon tea, fine frocks, and gossiping. Ultimately it is a story of self-recognition (and of course love), but this version has a surprisingly modern resonance, and enough satirical bite, nipping at the heels of its pompous, self-absorbed, or social-climbing characters. I loved it and don't let anyone who derides it as a "chick flick" put you off what is a total entertainment for all.