Released in 2020, this film has all the costumes and beautiful settings of a period drama and the timeless tale of a classic novel, but with its own flair that fans can't get enough of.
The praise for this film is never-ending, as viewers continue to leave five-star rave reviews online, as it's available to stream from home. It has an overall rating of 86% on the review site Rotten Tomatoes, and critics seem to be in agreement that it is a triumph as far as modern adaptations go.
A Modern Take on a Classic Tale
Emma is a romantic comedy set during the Regency era, directed by Autumn de Wilde in a retelling of the beloved Jane Austen novel of the same name. Playing Miss Emma Woodhouse is Anya Taylor-Joy, who portrays the wealthy young woman living with her father, who has nothing better to do with her time than meddle in others' lives.
Living a rich and bountiful life in England means she has all the free time in the world and uses it to involve herself in the romantic lives of those around her. Soon enough, her plotting and probing become disruptive when one of her key matchmakers reveals he is in love with someone else.
Stunning Visuals and Costumes
The costume design was Oscar-nominated. One viewer wrote a comprehensive review, saying: "This feels like Wes Anderson meets Jane Austen in the best way. The actors felt spot on and the visuals were stunning. I love how conceited Anya Taylor Joy's depiction of Emma is at the beginning so that we can see the juicy messes it causes before she grows to be a better person. My dad and I have watched this countless times already, and it has convinced him to start reading Jane Austen. I have a thing for very flawed protagonists, so I loved this!"
Also starring alongside Taylor Joy is a star-studded cast of British actors, including legend Bill Nighy. Joining them on screen are Callum Turner, Josh O'Connor, Johnny Flynn and the scream queen herself, Mia Goth.
Critical and Fan Acclaim
Another fan shared: "Phenomenal adaptation. Hilarious, beautifully filmed, witty, and well-acted. Rewards multiple viewings. Easily one of my favourite Jane Austen adaptations and I've seen them all, many times."
Callum Turner stars in the film as Frank Churchill. As far as adaptations go, they are often met with a lot of pressure, especially with Austen being held in such high regard, however it seems many are in agreement that the 2020 film did the book justice. A fan of the film shared: "To me this is a nearly perfect adaptation of Emma. It's actually witty and funny, and the pastoral comedy is well executed. From the direction, the script, the actors, and especially the costumes, it absolutely shines."
Box Office and Awards Success
At the time of its release, it was a success, grossing a whopping $27.4 million worldwide against its $10 million budget, and it went on to receive major nominations. Recognising the film's beautiful settings and designs, it received two Academy Award nominations for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling - elements that did not go unnoticed by viewers.
One review says: "Far and away the best adaptation of Emma thus far, in my opinion. It's quite true to the story of the book, beautiful to look at, funny, sweet, and bright. It feels modern and updated but not too separated from the time period of the story. Highly recommend this one!"
You can now stream Emma, the 2020 adaptation featuring Anya Taylor Joy on Amazon Prime.
