Emma Movie Review

I have never read the book, and I’ve only seen one version of the many ‘Emma’ films previously made. That’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but since this being the case, I didn’t know exactly what to expect from 2020’s take on the story.

I had watched and thoroughly enjoyed the 1996 version so much (that starred Gwyneth Paltrow) and thought her performance so delightful that there was no reason ever to remake the film. However, I’m glad to report that I was thoroughly surprised at how lovely and charming ‘Emma’ was with its new lead, Anya Taylor-Joy, as Emma Woodhouse.

The sets are exquisite. Those and the gorgeous costume designs lend to the beauty of the film and help you get lost in Emma’s world. Her world is perfect but not so for poor, unsophisticated, and innocent Harriet Smith (Goth) for whom Emma likes to toy. Somewhere deep down, she may mean well; you can see that she cares for Harriet. But since Harriet has come to Emma for advice on men, Emma can’t help but make sure her status as the best catch not be rivaled. She can assist Harriet only so far, then she sees the young girl purely as the competition.

When Robert Martin asks for Harriet’s hand in marriage, Harriet is desperate for Emma’s guidance. Emma not only refuses to help with the decision of whether or not to marry but sews doubt in the poor girl’s mind. There’s no reason for hurting Harriet or discouraging her except for Emma’s enjoyment. Anya Taylor-Joy is particularly adept at pulling this character off and is one of the main reasons you’ll end up loving this movie.

What you won’t like about it, however, is what you’ll miss. Had you not read or perhaps seen another ‘Emma’ film, you may not catch on to everything that’s going happening. First, the film moves in an achingly slow pace. It will ultimately win you over, but if you haven’t the patience, you could find yourself shaking your leg a few times. Also, some characters and their relationship to others were more or less introduced with the assumption that you already knew their place in the story. Characters definitely needed to be developed better.

George Knightley (Flynn) calls Emma out as he knows what Emma’s doing. She’s not so good at hiding the fact that she’s trying to take Harriet’s best chance of happiness from her. He thinks she wants Harriet all to herself. See? She wants a plaything. But that doesn’t quite work out for Emma. With Martin no longer in the picture, Harriet is about to set her sights on someone else. Harriet is very cute. Perhaps Emma hasn’t thought this whole leaving Harriet single and available thing through and left Harriet open for who Emma wants. Soon, there’s a charming and loving dance that I liked where you witness a young love blossom. I thought this was the best scene in the movie.

Bill Nighy as Mr. Woodhouse is curious but works. His scenes are quite humorous and, I think, kept only to a few on purpose as there’s not a lot you can do with an old hypochondriac who’s always whining about being cold. How they handled a chill in a large home back in those days is rather fascinating, and you can see how it would have been trying for an older person to get and stay warm.

See this movie. I’ll admit Emma is flawed, but she’s a great character. She has it all, yet she’s jealous of others who have less. She can be mean, but she means well. You love her, you hate her, but that’s what makes this movie so good. If you can get beyond some of the hiccups, the film is utterly delightful. Because of its pacing, I wouldn’t say go out and see it tonight at full price but see it. You can wait for a matinee or catch it on cable, but don’t miss Anya Taylor-Joy in her best part yet.