REVIEW
EMMA (2020)
An adaptation done right
Ana Priego Guarneros
In an era of reboots, sequels, adaptations, and remakes, a movie with a story that’s already been told and brought to the big screen being enjoyable seems impossible. But this is exactly what Autumn de Wilde’s 2020 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma manages to do, it’s a beautiful classic tale retold with a freshness to it.
This movie follows a young woman named Emma, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, in the early 19th century. Emma faces the problems only a self absorbed upper class girl in the 1800s could face. But despite the unrelatability of her situation and the era in which she resides, all of Emma’s problems will have most watchers relating to her in some way. Because behind all of Emma’s petty problems there is a truth to her. Her problems undoubtedly are caused by herself, even though she has her best intentions in mind.
And as for being true to the book, this movie has managed to get right what most of Austen’s works’ adaptations get wrong. This film captures the true essence of Austen’s comedy, which is subtle and yet incredibly hilarious. It's Austen’s classic comedy with a modern twist, which makes it more appealing and digestible for contemporary audiences. Avid Austen fans will be happy to hear that for the most part, the film is book-accurate. The book’s most impactful scenes are included and virtually depicted the same in the movie as they are in the book.
With complex characters, its beautiful old English scenery, incredible acting, and a heartfelt message, it's sure to be an insightful and entertaining watch for anyone.
Even though the source material for this film is from the 19th century, it's still incredibly entertaining and insightful even for those who haven’t read Austen’s novel. It feels like a fresh story, even though it's already been told countless times. Its message, which warns us about the consequences of pride, is still relevant to society today.
Overall, this film deserves a spot on everyone’s watchlist. With complex characters, its beautiful old English scenery, incredible acting, and a heartfelt message, it's sure to be an insightful and entertaining watch for anyone. We can ensure that this film has something for everyone. Whether it’s the costume design, cinematography, plot, relatable characters, or subtle jokes, something about Austen’s literature on the big screen is bound to catch your eye (or your heart). Autumn de Wilde’s Emma is available to watch with a Netflix subscription.