Emma is a period comedy-drama film directed by Autumn de Wilde and adapted by Eleanor Catton from Jane Austen's novel of the same name. The movie features Anya Taylor-Joy in the titular role of Emma Woodhouse, a young woman living in early nineteenth-century England who is determined to meddle in the romantic lives of those around her.
The film takes place in the small town of Highbury, where Emma lives with her hypochondriac father (Bill Nighy) and her governess (Gemma Whelan). Emma is a clever and attractive young woman who believes herself to be an expert in matchmaking. Despite her lack of experience in matters of the heart, she sets out to arrange marriages for her friends and acquaintances, often with disastrous results.
Emma's meddling begins with her friend Harriet Smith (Mia Goth), a young woman of uncertain parentage who Emma takes under her wing. Emma convinces Harriet to reject the marriage proposal of Mr. Martin (Connor Swindells), a farmer who is below her social station, and instead sets her sights on the charming Mr. Elton (Josh O'Connor), the local vicar. However, Mr. Elton's interest lies not with Harriet, but with Emma herself, much to her dismay.
As Emma continues her attempts at matchmaking, she finds herself at odds with the often caustic Mr. Knightley (Johnny Flynn), a close friend of her family who frequently scolds her for her impetuous behavior. However, as Emma's schemes become more convoluted and their consequences more disastrous, she begins to question her own motives and desires.
The film is a beautifully-shot visual feast, featuring lush costumes and sumptuous period details that transport the viewer back in time. The score, by Isobel Waller-Bridge, is also a highlight, with its whimsical and playful melodies perfectly capturing the film's tone.
Anya Taylor-Joy shines as Emma, bringing both warmth and complexity to the character. Emma is a difficult heroine to portray, as her actions can be selfish and thoughtless, but Taylor-Joy manages to make her sympathetic and relatable. Johnny Flynn is also excellent as Mr. Knightley, bringing a dry wit and a sardonic edge to the role.
In addition to the central romance between Emma and Mr. Knightley, the film also explores a number of other romantic relationships, including those of Emma's friends Frank Churchill (Callum Turner) and Jane Fairfax (Amber Anderson), as well as the ill-fated romance between Harriet and Mr. Martin. The movie's supporting cast is uniformly strong, with memorable performances from Miranda Hart as the hapless Miss Bates and Tanya Reynolds as the flirtatious Mrs. Elton.
Overall, Emma is a delightful and entertaining film that captures the spirit of Jane Austen's novel while adding its own stylish flair. It's a must-see for fans of the author and period dramas in general.
Emma is a 2015 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 8 minutes.
