This new adaptation of Emma, Jane Austen’s classic novel, is such yummy eye candy, you may find yourself drooling over the gorgeous costumes, set designs, tints and textures. And there are so many mouthwatering dishes being served all the time, it’s no wonder these characters need their corsets.
Emma Woodhouse (Anya Taylor-Joy), who lives alone with her widowed father (Bill Nighy) in an English country manor, is as hilariously clueless as ever, trying to play matchmaker and confident that she knows best for everyone. Played to perfection here by Taylor-Joy, she is riveting as she tries to control the world around her, remaining blissfully un-self aware of her own shortcomings until everything goes wrong.There have been plenty of different Emmas over the years, including the modern-day Clueless and the 1996 version starring Gwyneth Paltrow. Yet this one, directed by Autumn de Wilde, really blends the period piece with a fresh attitude that makes it relevant to a whole new generation of moviegoers — and, hopefully, readers.
“We wanted to remind people that the words are really funny,” said Taylor-Joy on Good Morning America. “And underneath the corsets and the bonnets and the whole shebang, these are real people, and they’re hot messes most of the time.”
And that’s what makes this Emma so much fun.
There are mishaps and misunderstandings and misinterpretations, reminding us why Jane Austen is so beloved, and a cast that doesn’t miss a step.
But, in true Emma form, the substance — and, oh, there is a great deal of biting social satire in this comedy — is sometimes overlooked because it’s impossible to look past the style. The confectionary-like colors and juicy design just make watching this movie a delicious experience.
You may not notice that this Emma has a period at the end of it. It’s Emma. I started making up all kinds of theories about why that is: Emma is so definitive about everything, Emma likes to have the last word, Emma is all you need to know.
But then I read an interview with Autumn de Wilde, who said she put a period there because Emma. is a period film.
So, there you go. Period, the end.
Note: With theaters closed, you can now watch Emma. At Home On Demand. For more information, visit the Emma. website, and follow the movie on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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