Emma

Review by Father Scott Archer

March 12, 2020

Emma, a film directed by Autumn de Wilde, is a surprisingly faithful adaptation of Jane Austen’s comedy of matchmaking and love of the same name. Credit is to be given to Eleanor Catton, the screenwriter, for not modernizing the story to placate contemporary tastes. The acting, set design, score, and costuming transport the audience to a time when life and its pleasures were simple; thus, planning other people’s lives took center stage in the world of Emma Woodhouse, who is “…handsome, clever, and rich... and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.”

Emma is played delightfully by Anya Taylor-Joy. She is perfectly cast in the lead role and is brilliant in carrying the story from beginning to end. As the movie opens, we find that Emma has arranged for a match between Miss Taylor, her governess, to Mr. Weston. With that relationship cemented with marriage, she turns her sights to her new but low-born friend, Harriet Smith, played by Mia Goth. Harriet announces she has received a proposal of marriage from Robert Martin, a farmer who rents land on the estate of Donwell Abbey, owned by George Knightly (played by Johnny Flynn) and who provides a continuous moral corrective in the life of Emma. Though he approves of the marriage between Miss Smith and Mr. Martin, Emma does not, and intrigue ensues in the lives of several of our characters.

Aside from Anya Talyor-Joy and Flynn, there are other standout performances. Callum Turner plays Frank Churchill, the foppish son of Mr. Weston, who was raised by his wealthy aunt and uncle, the Churchills, and is the heir to the Enscombe estate. Though he is liked by most, he is thoroughly disliked by George Knightly. Bill Nighy is not in many scenes, but he is hilarious as Emma’s hypochondriac father. Other performances worth noting include Josh O’Connor, the handsome and overly complimentary vicar, Mr. Elton; Amber Anderson plays the talented but impoverished Jane Fairfax; and Miranda Hart is very comical as the enthusiastic but dull Miss Bates, the aunt of Jane Fairfax.

The costumes, score, sets, and lavish estates are almost their own characters. Costume designer Alexandra Byrne has clearly given attention to period authenticity and detail. Aside from distinguishing the high-born from the low-born, they indicate the unique traits of individual personalities. The sets are luscious and play an important part in setting the mood in every scene. The score by composer Isobel Waller-Bridge is a combination of folk music and opera, the juxtaposing music providing a theme for different characters and situations.

George Knightly says of Emma, “She always declares that she will never marry. Which of course means just nothing at all.” To find out if she does or does not, you will have to see Emma, a wonderful comedy and faithful adaptation of Austen’s beloved novel.