Movie Reviews: Emma (2020)

I don't know about you, but I'm a big fan of everything Jane Austen. I love the novels, and I enjoy the movie and television adaptations of her stories almost as much. So, when I realized that there was a new adaptation of Austen's 1815 novel Emma, I knew I had to watch it right away. 

First of all, I have to say that this is a beautiful movie. You can tell there was a huge budget for costumes and sets. The whole movie was a visual feast for the eyes. I was particularly in love with Emma's clothes and all her beautiful hats. 

Hartfield was also particularly beautiful. For some reason, I really noticed the carpets in the house. They were gorgeous. I was also in love with Emma's little greenhouse. Hartfield in general really gave the sense of a grand and comfortable house. Plus, I have to note that Donwell Abbey was equally grand and impressive.

In a weird way, I was also particularly impressed by Highbury's little haberdashery shop, Ford's. That set was just perfect. It was a little jewel box of adorableness. 

However, when you set aside the aesthetic aspects of the movie, the actual content of Emma is a bit mediocre.

First of all, I don't think anyone would be able to follow the plot of the movie unless they had already read the novel. Nothing is really set up or explained. The connections between the characters are often unclear, and the dialogue doesn't help the situation. For example, when Emma and Harriet first meet their conversation is so disconnected that it's amazing that either of them understand what the other person is saying. It's like they're both talking to themselves. 

Somehow or another, the plot of Emma just dissolved in this adaptation. You really needed previous knowledge of the novel to fill in the blanks. 

The characters in this film are also very different from their counterparts in the novel. While Austen's characters tend to be rather good-natured and charming (except for villains like the Eltons), in this adaptation they are sharper, more sarcastic, and sometimes unpleasant. For example, in the novel, Isabella and John Knightly are happily married (although they sometimes behave ridiculously). In the film, the two of them almost seem to hate each other. Similarly, the film version of Mr. Woodhouse has none of his generosity and whimsical charm. Instead, he is a difficult old man with no particular attractions. 

Taken all together, I think this film was more like a caricature of the novel version of Emma, with many situations and characters exaggerated to unbelievable proportions. That being said, it does have its fun moments, and it's worth at least one watch for the sets and costumes alone. However, if you want a movie adaptation that does justice to the novel, check out the 1996 version of Emma with Gwyneth Paltrow. It's much better.

Rating: 6/10