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10/10 recommend.

Emma. (PG)

Directed by Autumn de Wilde

2020

There is so much to love here. Music, set design, costumes, cinematography, performances. The whole thing is so pleasant to look at. It’s incredibly commendable that Autumn de Wilde was able to get all this so right on her debut film, adapting what could be seen as a difficult novel to adapt. 

“Emma” the novel features a character that’s not entirely endearing, and in previous adaptations might even be percieved as ignorant, cold, and altogether unlikeable. De Wilde’s adaptation is far removed from these, though still very close to the nature of the character. While Emma tends towards ignorance, it generally stems from her inexperience through her age or social standing. Her flaws are the fault of misplaced naïveté, and we grow more understanding of them as we get to know her character. 

A great deal of credit goes to Anya Taylor Joy’s lead performance, seeming at once to contain the youthful wit of the character, down to her mannerisms and expressions. It brings a sense of ironical reflection on the source material, freeing it from the more rigid adaptations of Austen’s work in the past. There seems to be a general sense of levity and fun throughout the film, making it hard not to enjoy. Taylor Joy is supported by an equally impressive performance from Johnny Flynn, whose Mr. Knightely immediately establishes a sharp banter and foil to Emma. 

In addition to all this great stuff, Emma is also accompanied by a stellar soundtrack, as some choice English folk tunes accompany Isobel Waller-Bridge’s choral score. At the heart of it all is Johnny Flynn himself, lending his harmonious pipes to a song in the film and writing and performing a solid end credits piece.