Featured Blu-ray and DVD Review: Emma.

May 18, 2020

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Emma.

Emma. is the latest adaptation of the Jane Austen novel of the same name. It was previously adapted a number of times, arguably most famously as Clueless back in 1995. The film earned excellent reviews and opened well in limited release, but it struggled when it tried to expand and was all but gone from theaters the weekend after. However, it also opened just as the Covid-19 pandemic became a serious threat in the United States and its box office numbers were obviously negatively impacted by those events. Is it worth checking out for fans of period pieces? Or would it have struggled even under better circumstances?

The Movie

Anya Taylor-Joy plays Emma Woodhouse, who lives with her father (Bill Nighy). The film begins with Miss Taylor, her governess leaving, as she is getting married to Mr. Weston, a relationship Emma set up. Her father notes that she’s good as making predictions about who will marry whom and wishes she would stop. However, meddling in the affairs of others is something Emma simply can’t live without doing.

The plot is mostly Emma promising to not interfere, but either setting up couples or sabotaging relationships, depending on what she sees as best. I kind of lost track of various pairings for a while. The main victim is Harriet Smith, her new companion meant to replace Miss Taylor. Harriet was proposed to by Mr. Martin, but Emma disapproves, because he’s a farmer and she’s a snob. Instead, she thinks the local vicar, Mr. Elton would be a better match. That is far from the only relationship Emma messes with.

Emma.

I’m of two minds when it comes to Emma. If this were a TV show, then I don’t think I would have watched it past the pilot, because Emma is a rather annoying character. She’s a snob and not nearly as smart as she thinks she is. The film is a relationship farce and much of the comedy comes from Emma thinking she knows what other characters need in a mate better than the characters themselves. If she were a capable matchmaker, there wouldn’t be the conflict needed for the comedy. This would make it tough if I were expected to watch this show every week; however, Anya Taylor-Joy instills enough charm into the character that I can happily enjoy the movie for its two-hour running time.

Taylor-Joy isn’t the only actor who is a joy to watch in this movie. I could watch her and Bill Nighy banter for hours. She also has great chemistry with Mia Goth and Johnny Flynn and, well, pretty much everyone in the cast. If she just had a little more self-awareness, then she would be a lot more sympathetic and the film would be better. Don’t get me wrong, Emma. is still a great movie, but it is not the best adaptation of the source material I’ve watched.

The Extras

Extras are led by an audio commentary track with the director, Autumn de Wilde; screenwriter, Eleanor Catton; and director of photography, Christopher Blauvelt. There are 13 minutes of deleted scenes as well as 11 minutes of outtakes. Finally, there are a trio of five-minute making-of featurettes, A Playful Tease, The Autumn Gaze, and Crafting a Colorful World. Overall, this is a good selection, but not a great one. It does beat expectations, given its box office numbers.

The Verdict

Emma. is one of the better movies I’ve seen this year, but not the best adaptation of the original novel. The extras on the DVD / Blu-ray lift it to the purchase level, but not enough to be a Pick of the Week contender.

Filed under: Video Review, Emma., Rupert Graves, Bill Nighy, Jane Austen, Christopher Blauvelt, Mia Goth, Johnny Flynn, Anya Taylor-Joy, Josh O’Connor, Autumn de Wilde, Gemma Whelan, Eleanor Catton, Connor Swindells