Lovers of Jane Austen adaptations are in luck, because Netflix has just released one of the best that has been made in recent years. Is about Emmaa film directed by Autumn de Wilde based on the novel of the same name.
Follows young Emma Woodhouse (Anya Taylor-Joy), a queen without rival in a small town where there are romance, courtship and lots of gossip. Alongside Taylor-Joy, the film stars Mia Goth, Bill Nighy, Johnny Flynn, Callum Turner, Miranda Hart, Josh O’Connor and Tanya Reynolds.
It is a relatively simple adaptation of the book that brings the story to life through fantastic cinematography and tremendous acting by the leading cast. A movie that wasominated for best costume design and best makeup at the Oscars.
Beyond the synopsis
It all takes place in Highbury, a fictional town in England, during the Regency period. The aforementioned protagonist Emma Woodhouse lives there, whom we see on screen preparing for the wedding of her governess, Miss Taylor. She is about to marry Mr. Weston and leave the house. And that is why Emma will try to find a replacement.
At that moment you will meet Harriet Smith (Mia Goth), a young woman of unknown origins who captivates Emma and, especially, her talents as matchmaker
On the other hand, among the local men, Mr. Knightley (Johnny Flynn), Vicar Elton (Josh O’Connor), and Frank Churchill (Callum Turner), the son of Mr. Weston (Rupert Graves), stand out especially. All of them will end up involved in many romantic and all kinds of entanglements, drawing the attention of the rest of society at the time.
The rise of Anya Taylor-Joy
In addition to being noticed for his work in Queen’s Gambit, Anya Taylor-Joy also won the hearts of the audience with the role of Emma Woodhouse. Maybe it was because of her way of understanding her character, thinking that she was even unpleasant.
“I’m going to choose a heroine that no one will like but me.”said the actress, who managed to put herself in the shoes of a female character who, although not unpleasant, is complex enough that the time and the people around her are not able to understand her.
And the film knows how to squeeze out the potential of this character, letting Taylor-Joy have fun with the role, modernizing her career a little and playing with the framework of the novel.
In several scenes of the film, we see how a series of timeless frustrations that we live with in any historical period are represented. The protagonist gets tired, angry, bored and is someone very vulnerable. And this is seen every time she sits on the windowsill, and in a look of sadness mixed with boredom. Without a doubt, the premiere on Netflix is a good opportunity to rediscover the actress and one of the best adaptations that have been made of Jane Austen.
