There have been many Jane Austen cinematic adaptations over the years, many were successful in terms of their faithfulness to the source material. The new to Blu-Ray, DVD, and digital download Emma. is right up there with the best of the best.
Anya Taylor-Joy is the titular character and there will undoubtedly be comparisons to the delightful performance given by Gwyneth Paltrow in the 1996 incarnation from director Douglas McGrath. Now, I’m not going to venture into the arena of “who was better,” but will firmly stand by the fact that the debate here is not about the lead actress and her performance. The truth of the matter is that Taylor-Joy captured the spirit and tenor of the Austen protagonist via the screenplay she was given from Eleanor Catton in a manner that is a priceless gift to Austen-kind.
Emma Woodhouse is the apple of her daddy’s eye (a scene-stealing Bill Nighy) and when it comes affairs of the heart, she possesses a gift of matchmaking that always puts her friends and acquaintances first before herself. She has even found love for her nanny and that, essentially, is how our story commences. The thing is, Emma is not looking to marry and for now is perfectly content living under her father’s roof and doting on him as he used to affectionately dote on her—especially since her mother passed. When it comes to any suitor for Emma, given the model her father has set, he has a steep hill to climb.
Enter Mr. Knightley (Johnny Flynn), and in typical Austen fashion, the pair get under each other’s skins in the most frustrating and comedic of manners. How that, specifically, is captured in Emma. 2020 is pitch-perfect. In many ways, it feels like Austen penned the Catton script herself. Why stop there with the lauding?! Director Autumn de Wilde has a command for the beloved author’s … everything! The author’s tone, character building, piercing comedic sentiment, and timing and her use of the entity that is the ensemble is unmatched. That is largely why Austen is more popular than ever, two centuries after her death.
It is difficult to truly capture how astounding the work is from every soul on this production, without sounding too much like a cheerleading squad at a pep rally. For example, everybody loves Emma, and what’s not to love? But there is a moment at the close of the second act as the third act begins where the titular character goes too far, verbally, in a social situation. Capturing the best parts of a soul and how that individual interacts with various folks from a multitude of lots in life is much easier to portray than when our lead has ruffled feathers. That is especially true in the more formal times, as portrayed de Wilde’s film. When our beloved Emma overreaches, it is as if the audience endured a gut punch. It was so unlike her on so many levels and as captured by Austen, Catton, the director, Taylor-Joy, and our ensemble, it is a collective emotional pendulum swing of epic proportions. That scene encapsulates the brilliance that permeates every frame of our latest (and greatest) Emma.
Austen is such a transformative author in that one can practically taste the lunch spread on that warm summer afternoon picnic, the cool breeze that glides through the trees, and even the sunlight that soaks each person. Her characters are so rich, it is as if they are part of our social circles and that is a difficult challenge for any visual storyteller to perfectly capture. With his latest film, de Wilde has done it and not only achieved a successful adaptation of a treasured tale, but he has gifted Austen nation with its most effective, emotively inspiring, enlightening, and entertaining page to screen effort.
Taylor-Joy is a find. She practically pops off the screen as the title character. The actress has worked steadily over the years. Fast forward a decade from now, film journalists will surely be citing this cinematic moment as the one that catapulted her to the upper echelon. Not only does she have the talent to embody one of Austen’s most beloved souls, but she exudes incredible depth and confidence that are years beyond her age. The Witch truly introduced us to her and an enormous amount of credit for the effectiveness of that haunting horrorshow lay on her shoulders. The same could be said for Emma. except that she has some heady company.
Clearly, the entire film doesn’t work if her chemistry is not utterly electric with Flynn. Not only does it “work,” I’d argue its subtly seismic as it ever-builds over the course of our delightful cinematic dalliance. Flynn brings his own Austenian command to the role and with the arc Austen and Catton have crafted for him, the actor must have thanked his lucky stars when he was asked to portray Mr. Knightley. That kind of extraordinary work arrives from all corners of this production. I mean, Nighy is always fabulous, but he finds new levels of awesomeness with his Mr. Woodhouse. There’s also this … there’s an age-old saying that if the acting ensemble is having fun, it pops of the screen and that same delight is shared by the audience. Clearly, everyone involved in Emma. had the time of our lives because I did as well.
For more on the film itself, don’t miss my theatrical Emma. review here.
Given the light and joyous nature of the film itself, our look at the Blu-Ray bonus features has to start with A Playful Tease. This behind-the-scenes featurette has the entire cast waxing poetic about that joy making the film. This featurette literally makes my point about ensembles and having fun! It comes through every single second of this featurette, and also broadens the discussion to include the benefits of rehearsal and a delightful little side-bar about the kinship that developed between Taylor-Joy and Mia Goth (who portrays Emma’s BFF Harriet Smith).
Another aspect of the production that impeccably captures the physical manifestation of Austen’s world—the production design—gets a nice five-minute featurette. The cast and crew share insight into the practical sets and the gorgeously preserved locales that allowed de Wilde to immerse his audience in Austen-world. The set dressing, the costumes … they’re all detailed here affectionately.
The Autumn Gaze puts the spotlight on the first-time director, de Wilde. After his work on the film, coupled with this featurette, do not be surprised if his name alone elicits interest for his future films. What stands out the most, both witnessing the film itself and this home video extra, is the filmmaker’s innate “eye.” The manner in which he frames and shoots his scenes is artistry incarnate.
Gag reels are always fun and play into that ensembles enjoying themselves element. What is so surprisingly joyous is that Emma. features almost 11 minutes of cast mess-ups that warrant a multitude of LOL moments. The deleted scenes are fascinating in that they provide a front-row seat to the filmmaking mindset of the director and why certain things were cut and others kept.
Lastly, prepare to be further impressed with de Wilde after listening to the feature commentary track. Clearly, The Movie Mensch recommends purchasing this film because it is one that will be revisited in our household repeatedly over the years. One of these re-viewings, turn on that commentary, and prepare to find additional reasons that this young filmmaker is one to watch, as well as keen insight provided by Catton and cinematographer Cristopher Blauvelt.
Film Grade: A
Bonus Features: A