Emma movie review by Movie Review Mom

MOVIE TITLE: Emma

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 2 hours, 4 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A-

IN A NUTSHELL:

Fans of period pieces by Jane Austin and Downton Abbey will enjoy this extremely stylish remake that takes place in 1800’s England. Directed by Autumn de Wilde, this sumptuous adaptation is absolutely beautiful to look at. We’re told on the screen after the opening credits, “Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.” And so begins the crum-a-grackle and cureckitycoo.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

You see a man completely naked from the back.
Some dresses show cleavage. A girl lifts up her dress to keep her legs and rear end warm by the fire.
A surprising lack of kissing…only twice.
Most kids will be extremely bored.

THEMES:

Rich vs. poor, social classes
“You must be the best judge of your own happiness.” – Emma (Anya Taylor-Joy)
Change
Respect
Forgiveness
Kindness

THINGS I LIKED:

Anya Taylor-Joy is a lovely Emma. Did you know she grew up in Argentina? The first time I saw her was in M. Night Shyamalan’s fantastic thriller Split . She’s equally beautiful as a blonde or a brunette. During the majority of the movie, I didn’t like Emma at all because she seemed so manipulative, selfish, snobby, critical of everyone, and controlling. That was the point, really. Jane Austin actually wrote about her book, “I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.” Mission accomplished. There is, however, a scene where you see Emma grow up and change in an instant. That’s when I started rooting for her.
I adore Bill Nighy in every movie role he plays. He’s especially entertaining in this movie, although my favorite film of his is probably About Time
Josh O’Connor was perfect as Mr. Elton. He’s so funny. And that smile is ridiculously contagious.
Beautiful homes and British landscape.
Gorgeous costume design with absolutely stunning details by award-winning Alexandra Byrne. It’s so early in the movie year, but there should be another Oscar nomination for costume design for her.
Several years ago, I stumbled across Miranda Hart’s British TV show Miranda Complete Collection [DVD] I got such a kick out of it, so I love seeing her in movies. She’s the perfect Miss Bates. My maiden name was Bates too!
The scenes that showed the girls walking by in their red coats were perfect. What a vignette of color.
The music supported the old English atmosphere of the film with some fun variety.
I remember playing that flour game once at a party when I was a little girl.
The settings and interiors are outstanding. They simply could not have been better.
Witty.
Johnny Flynn actually wrote the song that played during the end credits.
All of the actors who sing and play instruments in the movie really do so.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Why the nudity?
Act 1 was super sluggish and almost lost me.
There will be a lot of people (dare I say men?) who would rather shoot themselves than sit through this movie.
It was so annoying when Emma and Mr. Knightley argue because they do it by shouting over each other, rather than a playful back and forth banter that would have been much more enjoyable and easier to understand. Sadly, I didn’t feel the chemistry between them.
Some of the dialogue hangs so heavy that the humor is lost.
Mr. George Knightley’s shaggy hair was better suited for the role of the farmer. He didn’t seem like a proper gentleman.
What was the point of the nose bleed? That seemed so random and din’t add to the scene.
There is a scene where Mia Goth’s character recovers from an attack by gypsies when she makes some sounds that are both funny and confusing at the same time.
Some Americans will have a difficult time understanding everything that is said with British accents. Because there were actors in the cast from several different regions, they actually had a voice coach on set.

INTERESTING LINES:

“There is one thing I know which a man can always do if he chooses and that is his duty.” – Mr. George Knightley (Johnny Flynn)
“Men of sense do not want silly wives.” – Mr. Knightley

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