Is Emma the most adapted Jane Austen novel after Pride and Prejudice? Quite possibly. It’s been over 200 years since it was published and we still can’t shake this story about a handsome, clever and rich young lady with a misplaced keenness for match-making. And why not, after all–I’ll never complain about having more Austen in my life.
Anya Taylor-Joy as Emma Woodhouse
Still, I was wary when the trailer for the new adaptation of Emma dropped. Directed by Autumn de Wilde and starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Bill Nighy, Miranda Hart and Rupert Graves, Emma. certainly looked gorgeous. Replete with luscious yellows and greens, and more Regency frocks than you could shake a stick at, its trailer promised romance and comedy in spades. But movies aren’t built on style alone, and with such lavishness on display, I couldn’t help but suspect that substance might be lacking in this particular version.
Happily, I couldn’t have been more wrong–Emma. is utterly delightful and resplendent with screwball charm from start to finish. With all respect to Clueless, I think this one might actually be my new favourite version!
Autumn de Wilde’s adaptation shows a fond loyalty to its source material, letting Jane Austen’s story speak for itself for the most part and giving subtle hints at modernity here and there. This story is one that hinges on the strength of its eponymous heroine and, thankfully, much of this movie’s focus is given over to Emma Woodhouse’s emotional journey from being the vain queen bee of Highbury to becoming a kinder, more generous person.
Anya Taylor-Joy (The VVitch, Thoroughbreds, Split) is perfection itself as Emma, bringing a decidedly pricklier version of the character to the screen that distinguishes it from the quirky Miss Perfects of previous adaptations. Her portrayal leans into the character’s vanity and disposition to “think a little too well of herself”, so much so that you find yourself quite taken aback when you first meet her. It’s a challenge for any actress to make her audience root for a selfish, spoilt woman, but Anya manages to do just that. It helps that you can sense just how much fun she’s having with the role, whether Emma’s hiding in a shop from the bothersome Miss Bates or trying to save face after being shown up by Jane Fairfax on the pianoforte. But there is sincerity there too in Anya’s performance. She seems to understand that Emma Woodhouse is a character with a few indulgent friends but no real motherly role model, and that she has had to be mistress of her house since she was a child. I loved how this film explored that, chipping away at Emma’s marble exterior to reveal that the pedestal on which she lives is rather lonely.
Anya is excellently matched by Johnny Flynn (Lovesick, Stardust) as Mr Knightley in what I think is a truly inspired piece of casting. Just old enough to portray Knightley’s righteousness and just ruggedly handsome enough to make him appealing, Johnny makes you understand just why Emma cares so much about pleasing him. His Knightley is passionate but frustrated, a man who is determined to do well by all of his acquaintances and lead by example. You also get a sense of how much Knightley struggles with his feelings for Emma (and vice-versa), which is refreshing and makes for tension that sizzles.
The rest of the cast turn in similarly wonderful performances. Bill Nighy is hilarious as the fussy Mr Woodhouse, providing much-needed moments of light comedy, as well as a tear or two when needed. Miranda Hart is also excellent as the chatty, slightly pathetic Miss Bates–her performance during the scene on Box Hill where Emma insults her was pitch-perfect. Josh O’Connor will make you squirm in your seat as the cringey Mr Elton, and I was also excited to see Sex Education alumni Tanya Reynolds and Connor Swindells as Mrs Elton and Mr Martin respectively. I will say that Mia Goth’s portrayal of Harriet Smith initially failed to charm me, reading as more of a caricature of a giggly young girl, but it matured into something simple and lovely by the end.
Aiding these performances was the film’s sumptuous costume design, as well as its hair and makeup. More than just being gorgeous set pieces, the costumes went a long way towards revealing valuable character insights. Emma begins the film in dresses with high-necked collars that almost threaten to swallow her whole, bright coats and a crown of fussy ringlets draped around her head. It’s a severe look, but one that relaxes into something more natural as her character matures, and it’s nicely executed.
If you’re on the fence about seeing Emma., I hope I’ve persuaded you to give it a chance. It’s a film that’s never afraid to bask in its own ridiculousness, and in doing so it brings the cleverness and the comedy of Austen’s text alive while still balancing it with moments of real tenderness.
I can’t wait to see it again!
Emma
Beautiful, clever, rich - and single - Emma Woodhouse is perfectly content with her life and sees no need for either love or marriage.
Nothing, however, delights her more than interfering in the romantic lives of others. But when she ignores the warnings of her good friend Mr. Knightley and attempts to arrange a suitable match for her protegee Harriet Smith, her carefully laid plans soon unravel and have consequences that she never expected...
About the Contributor
Olivia Fricot
Olivia Fricot (she/her) is Booktopia's Senior Content Producer and editor of the Booktopian blog. She has too many plants and not enough bookshelves, and you can usually find her reading, baking, or talking to said plants. She is pro-Oxford comma.
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Today marks 200 years since Jane Austen’s death.
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