Journal & Topics Media Group

Movie Scene: Austen Lives On In ‘Emma’


Mia Goth and Anya Taylor-Joy in “Emma.”

“Emma.” (129 min, Rated PG for thematic elements). Rating: 8 out of 10.

There just doesn’t seem to be a lack of interest in Jane Austen’s idyllic writings of the early 1800s, capturing the lush beauty of English countryside and the regal, elegant, privileged people who lived there. Ms. Austen may have never married, but she did not live a lonely life having died at the early age of 41 with “Emma” being the last of her novels published while she was alive. Two others were published posthumously. She had two more novels prepared beyond that in their early stages that never saw the light of day…and her she was on a roll on a prolific career.

Whatever regal lifestyle Austen was able to live, she certainly had her fingers on the pulse of the affluent class that she seemed to be infatuated with. She received little fame at the time, but in retrospect, her writings have been revered. As if projecting herself as the lead in all of her novels, each one featuring a young, attractive upstart, headstrong, spunky woman of simple upbringing, struggling to find herself in terms of station, wealth and happiness. Most of her protagonists were forthright and mostly in control of their surroundings, be it poor or in good standing, but always confidant and stubborn. However, if there was one thing her female characters lacked, it was the instability of their emotions…always grappling for an understanding of love.

Having been made into a successful movie in 1996 with first-time leading lady Gwyneth Paltrow — and an outstanding supporting cast featuring Toni Collette, Alan Cumming, Ewan McGregor, Greta Scacchi and Juliet Stevenson, one wonders why another “Emma” has been made. The only answer I can think of is…why not? Appealing strictly to the art house crowd, this newest version directed by Autumn de Wilde, and scripted by Eleanor Catton, it brings a strong feminine touch to the story that leans heavily on the female perspective as most of Austen’s novels emulated. The result is a very pleasing film, faithfully ambitious to the spirit Austen projects into her stories, with poignancy and cheerfulness of the novel, regarded as her most humorous work.

To me, all of Austen’s books have a decided humorous slant amidst the absurdity that defines the ultra rich socialites, with drama created by misunderstandings and misconceptions of good intentions gone awry. In the grand scheme of things, the misgivings of ill-conceived relationships amongst this privileged upper class sequestered in palaces too large to imagine, outside the realm of “real life and real drama” is best intended for the literary fantasy world Austen wrote about. And it’s no different here with 21-year-old Emma (a perfectly cast Anya Taylor-Joy) playing the sort of heroine who once she’s gotten over her faults, is a lovely young woman ripe for happiness. All it takes is a man with a strong personality to match hers, able to stand up to her upstart mannerisms.

As always, there is a man of aloof desire in the heroine’s viewpoint, always obscured from the heroine’s strict, unmovable standards she stands by. But in Emma’s case, born into wealth (her super rich father is played by veteran Bill Nighy), she’s more interested in playing matchmaker, concentrating her efforts on the happiness of others…not on herself. Though viewed for her meddling and snobbish ways, deep down, Emma is a real catch…you just have to get through all the emotional layers she surrounds herself in. After taking credit for her governess’s wedding, Emma takes particular interest in 17-year-old Harriet Smith (Mia Goth), and ordinary, unsophisticated student at a local boarding house that she intends to find a good match for. It’s what Emma does — fuss over people — and Harriet is perfect bait for Emma to chisel into a woman of good social status. All she needs is to link her with a husband of position and wealth.

Regarded as a romantic comedy at heart, Emma finds herself embroiled in her own feelings when she focuses on a young man who later reveals he’s been secretly married, and falters at matching Harriet with a young man who then marries someone else, sending poor Harriet into a tailspin of despair. This is all observed by an old family friend, Mr. Knightley (Johnny Flynn), who sees Emma’s meddling and interference as extremely off-putting — and he’s not shy telling her it to her face. This causes friction between them, though you can see that Emma and Mr. Knightley will fall in love resulting from their confrontational nature. The more he calls her out, the more she is drawn to him…gaining not just her love, but her respect.

Amid scandals, petty jealousies and a satirical poke at elite social classes of the early 1800s, “Emma” shines with grace, wit and style when such matters amongst the upper-crust of English society were earth-shattering. Complete with all the fluffy dresses of the era, an extravagant ball, the sun always shining on the rainbow-drenched countryside hills and valleys, lush green pastures and pastoral setting perfectly envisioned in all of Austen’s novels, “Emma” is a worthy entry into the lore we’ve come to expect with all her works. And, as usual, it ends with a romantic kiss that seals the deal.

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