Emma Review
17 February 2013
Well, this was well worth four hours of sitting time! I’ve been very tempted to watch this period drama for 3 reasons:
1.) Every one raves so about it!
2.) Emma is one of my favourite Austen stories in that it is so funny
3.) It has Ramola Garai in it and I love her in Amazing Grace
1.) Every one raves so about it!
2.) Emma is one of my favourite Austen stories in that it is so funny
3.) It has Ramola Garai in it and I love her in Amazing Grace
But as I went to put it on, I remembered the two different Emma’s I’ve seen previously. I loved the 1996 version starring Gwenyth Paltrow. It was the first one I had ever seen and I loved Paltrow’s Emma and Jeremy Northam’s Knightley. The other one I had seen was the old 1972 version. Although I felt it was more accurate to the book, it was so terribly dull and Mr. Knightley in that one was so terribly plain! (I didn’t want to say ‘ugly’… you can’t blame the fellow for his looks). I began to be afraid that this one would drag on too. After all, if they managed to capture the story so fully in the Paltrow 2 hour long one, what could they do to add another two hours to that? It must drag on…. Right?
As soon as it started, I knew I was wrong.
Now that I have seen Emma (2009) I can safely and most assuredly say that it is the best Emma adaptation and it does not drag on in the slightest. Every character was played far more accurately and there was not one character that disappointed my meagre ‘Paltrow’ expectations. They all far surpassed it. In fact, this period drama has set a new benchmark for Austen period dramas. It is always the long ones that are the best (of my experience)… now…. we just need some screenwriter to write an amazing script for Persuasion. Imagine how amazing that one would be in a four hour long miniseries! :)
So, without further ado,
My review for the best Emma adaptation ever…
SYNOPSIS
As soon as it started, I knew I was wrong.
Now that I have seen Emma (2009) I can safely and most assuredly say that it is the best Emma adaptation and it does not drag on in the slightest. Every character was played far more accurately and there was not one character that disappointed my meagre ‘Paltrow’ expectations. They all far surpassed it. In fact, this period drama has set a new benchmark for Austen period dramas. It is always the long ones that are the best (of my experience)… now…. we just need some screenwriter to write an amazing script for Persuasion. Imagine how amazing that one would be in a four hour long miniseries! :)
So, without further ado,
My review for the best Emma adaptation ever…
SYNOPSIS
Emma Woodhouse seems to be perfectly content, a loving father whom she cares for, friends, and a home. But Emma has a terrible habit - matchmaking. She cannot resist finding suitors for her friends, most of all Harriet Smith. Emma is desperate for Harriet to find happiness, but every suitor she finds for her friend ends up attracted to Emma herself. But is Emma so focused on Harriet's
happiness that she is not considering her own happiness in love?
SCENERY
The scenery around Highbury is very beautiful and cheerful. There are many lush gardens and forest areas that ring of ‘England’. The homes, especially Hartfield and Donwell (well…naturally) are gorgeous. Even more plain homes like Miss Bates’ and the Weston’s are lovely in the whole rustic, country feel.
happiness that she is not considering her own happiness in love?
SCENERY
The scenery around Highbury is very beautiful and cheerful. There are many lush gardens and forest areas that ring of ‘England’. The homes, especially Hartfield and Donwell (well…naturally) are gorgeous. Even more plain homes like Miss Bates’ and the Weston’s are lovely in the whole rustic, country feel.
STORY
This is a story of a young lady living at home with her father who fancies herself as matchmaker. After believing herself to be the instigator for two very successful marriages (the one of her sister, and the other of her governess), she believes that she has the matters of the heart completely under control, and endeavours to find a ‘suitable’ match for her friend, Harriet Smith. Suitor after suitor come into the lives of both Emma and Harriet, but Emma’s matchmaking attempts end in utter disaster and – in some cases – heartbreak. Spoiler The first match for her friend, Mr. Elton, actually turns out to be in love with her. End of Spoiler The next young man to come into their lives, Mr. Churchill, is hiding a secret that greatly hurts the people who know him. Finally when faced with losing the man she loves– but did not know that she loved – she realizes her heart and the terrible folly she has done.
This is a story of a young lady living at home with her father who fancies herself as matchmaker. After believing herself to be the instigator for two very successful marriages (the one of her sister, and the other of her governess), she believes that she has the matters of the heart completely under control, and endeavours to find a ‘suitable’ match for her friend, Harriet Smith. Suitor after suitor come into the lives of both Emma and Harriet, but Emma’s matchmaking attempts end in utter disaster and – in some cases – heartbreak. Spoiler The first match for her friend, Mr. Elton, actually turns out to be in love with her. End of Spoiler The next young man to come into their lives, Mr. Churchill, is hiding a secret that greatly hurts the people who know him. Finally when faced with losing the man she loves– but did not know that she loved – she realizes her heart and the terrible folly she has done.
I love the lessons intertwined throughout this story… not to meddle in other people’s affairs, not to be forward in your manner with young men (Spoiler As Emma learns with her mistake with Mr. Elton, her forwardness was mistaken for affection End of Spoiler), not to make presumptions and judgements about others, not to become emotionally entangled with young men (Spoiler Emma learns this one with Frank Churchill, although she realizes she does not love him before his secret is let out, she is too open with him and everyone assumes more than is really there End of Spoiler), to have great respect and love for your parent/s, and to take criticism well.
CHARACTERS
Emma Woodhouse is played by the amazing Ramola Garai. I love the fact that all of Jane Austen’s heroines – but most especially Emma –are flawed. Emma is a rather selfish, conceited young lady who says and does things which hurt people and cause disaster, but you know her heart is in the right place. She learns a lot of lessons throughout this film and grows to become a mature, sensible young lady.
I love Ramola Garai’s performance of Emma. She plays every aspect of this character perfectly. She far outshines my original vision of the Gwenyth Paltrow Emma
Emma Woodhouse is played by the amazing Ramola Garai. I love the fact that all of Jane Austen’s heroines – but most especially Emma –are flawed. Emma is a rather selfish, conceited young lady who says and does things which hurt people and cause disaster, but you know her heart is in the right place. She learns a lot of lessons throughout this film and grows to become a mature, sensible young lady.
I love Ramola Garai’s performance of Emma. She plays every aspect of this character perfectly. She far outshines my original vision of the Gwenyth Paltrow Emma
Mr. Knightley is played by Johnny Lee Miller. Folks, this is Mr. Knightley. Every part of his character is perfectly by Johnny Lee Miller’s performance. Mr. Knightley is very close to Emma through family connections (his brother marries her sister), but also because he’s always been like a big brother to her. He gently (and at times not-so-gently) corrects her mistakes, voices his opinion, and is always there to give a listening ear. Only when he is faced with competition for Emma’s affections, does he realize that he loves her… is it too late for him? :)
Harriet Smith, Emma’s particular friend, is played by Louise Dylan. I have to admit, it took a little while for me to approve of her. I guess she perfectly captured the ditziness, youth, dependence, and naivety of Harriet’s true character that I didn’t like her not because of Louise Dylan’s performance, but because she simply was Harriet Smith!
Emma is lonely after her governess is married, so she befriends one of the girls in Mrs. Goddard’s school, Harriet. This young and gullible young lady is so pleased to have become Emma’s close friend that she looks upon Emma’s opinion as almost sacred. And Emma is now determined to find Harriet a suitable match, which turns out to be
an utter disaster.
Emma is lonely after her governess is married, so she befriends one of the girls in Mrs. Goddard’s school, Harriet. This young and gullible young lady is so pleased to have become Emma’s close friend that she looks upon Emma’s opinion as almost sacred. And Emma is now determined to find Harriet a suitable match, which turns out to be
an utter disaster.
Blake Ritson plays Mr. Elton, the parish priest. He is the fellow that Emma decides would be Harriet’s perfect match. Unfortunately, because Emma is constantly seeking his attention, only for Harriet, he assumes that Emma is the one that is love with him. Uh oh. Spoiler He goes off to Bath and marries one of the rich society ladies from there. This new wife is perfect for him. Both are terribly conceited and out for themselves. Tsk tsk tsk… End of Spoiler And this fellow can’t ride. I feel terribly sorry for his horse.
Mr. Knightley says a couple of things about this fellow that are one hundred percent true and worth quoting here:
“That man is so full of himself I’m surprised he can stay on that horse.”
"He knows he is a very handsome young man and will not marry cheaply. I have heard him speak with great animation of a large family with young ladies who all have 20,000 pounds a piece.”
Mr. Knightley says a couple of things about this fellow that are one hundred percent true and worth quoting here:
“That man is so full of himself I’m surprised he can stay on that horse.”
"He knows he is a very handsome young man and will not marry cheaply. I have heard him speak with great animation of a large family with young ladies who all have 20,000 pounds a piece.”
Mr. Frank Churchill is played by Rupert Evans. Because of his mother’s unfortunate death, he is sent off to his aunt to be brought up and educated. He is a mysterious figure to the people of Highbury, but most especially to Emma, because he has never come back for a visit; every time he tries he is sent a message that his aunt is ill and he must return, which he obediently does. When he does come for a visit, he is very open and artless and leads almost everyone to believe that he has formed an attachment with Emma. But he holds a secret close to his heart and disguises it most successfully. Once you know what the secret is (which I did because I know the story of Emma), you can’t help but feel slightly disgusted at his behaviour.
Miss Bates is played by Tamsin Greig. Miss Bates is a poor, lonely spinister living with her mother in the town. The only happiness in her life is Emma’s weekly visits, and letters from her niece Jane Fairfax. This time Miss Bates’ role was played slightly less ridiculously and more sympathetically, which I loved.
Laura Pyper plays the young lady, Jane Fairfax. Jane is another example of a child being sent away from Highbury because of the deaths of her parents. When she returns to Highbury and stays with her aunt, Miss Bates. She is shy and reserved and perpetually teased by Frank Churchill. SpoilerI feel so terribly sorry for Jane as she has to sit and watch her fiancé flirt with another very pretty young lady and be teased by him End of Spoiler
Some of the more minor, but just as endearing characters are:
Mr. Woodhouse, played by Micheal Gambon. Because this poor fellow lost his wife when Emma was very young, he is absolutely paranoid about young ladies’ health. In every scene he is in, he is bound to make some remark about something a certain young lady should or should not have done to protect her health. However frustrating this is, he is redeemed by the fact that you know he does it all because he really loves his daughter Emma.
Mr. Woodhouse, played by Micheal Gambon. Because this poor fellow lost his wife when Emma was very young, he is absolutely paranoid about young ladies’ health. In every scene he is in, he is bound to make some remark about something a certain young lady should or should not have done to protect her health. However frustrating this is, he is redeemed by the fact that you know he does it all because he really loves his daughter Emma.
Mr. and Mrs. Weston. Mr. Weston (Frank Churchill’s father) is played by Robert Bathurst. He is a very dear chap with a heart of gold. His love for his son is exceptionally outstanding, to the point of defending him when he does things that are hurtful to him.
Mrs. Weston – Anne Taylor, Emma’s governess – is Emma’s dearest friend and companion. Emma is very excited at her governess’ marriage, but also sad because she ‘loses’ her dearest friend. However they still live very close so Emma regularly would visit Mrs. Weston and share her heart with her.
Mrs. Elton, who is played by Christina Cole. I have never seen a more self-centred or rude ‘villainess’ in any Austen film. Not even Caroline Bingley or Fanny Dashwood can compare to this woman. She is her husband’s perfect match. She always has to be the centre of everything and is not afraid to trample all over people to get her own way.
COSTUMES/HAIRSTYLES
I’m pretty certain that these costumes are very accurate to the Regency era. Not 100% sure about the hairstyles, but it seems so to me.
Some of Emma’s gowns, especially her pink one, the one she wore to the ball, the one she wore to Box Hill, and the one she wore when you-know-who proposed, are so pretty. They make me want to live in Regency outfits forever.
I’m pretty certain that these costumes are very accurate to the Regency era. Not 100% sure about the hairstyles, but it seems so to me.
Some of Emma’s gowns, especially her pink one, the one she wore to the ball, the one she wore to Box Hill, and the one she wore when you-know-who proposed, are so pretty. They make me want to live in Regency outfits forever.
I also love her braided/curled up-do. Even when it was meant to look hurried, she still looked beautiful in it. I even loved Jane’s hairstyle, even though it was abominably teased by Frank Churchill. Harriet’s was too curled I thought at first, but it seems to have toned down and matured by the time we get to the scene where she announces who her hero is. It’s not too bad then. Mrs. Elton had an absolute mop of curls that seemed to border on ridiculous, but the way she did it for the ball, I have to admit, looks pretty and quite regal.
RATING
From 1 to 5, this period drama miniseries would get a 5.
This film is not rated, but I would give it a hearty G. There are a few scenes that are quite funny (You’ve just gotta love Austen wit!). I would watch this with my family any day… except that younger children might get bored with four hours of eighteenth century language and manners. Hm….Too bad. :)
From 1 to 5, this period drama miniseries would get a 5.
This film is not rated, but I would give it a hearty G. There are a few scenes that are quite funny (You’ve just gotta love Austen wit!). I would watch this with my family any day… except that younger children might get bored with four hours of eighteenth century language and manners. Hm….Too bad. :)
Here is an interesting chart that I compiled just for fun. There are many actors and actresses I recognized from other period dramas in this film. Here they are:
Ramola Garai as Emma Woodhouse in Emma and Barbara Spooner/Wilberforce in Amazing Grace
Micheal Gambon as Mr. Woodhouse in Emma, King George V in The King’s Speech, Thomas Holbrook in Cranford, Squire Hamley in Wives and Daughters, and Lord Charles Fox in Amazing Grace
Johnny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley in Emma, Edmund Bertram in Mansfield Park (1999), and Charles Price in Mansfield Park (1983)
Robert Bathurst as Mr. Weston in Emma, Sir Anthony Strallan in Downton Abbey, and Lt. Eccleston in Hornblower; The Even Chance
Blake Ritson as Mr. Elton in Emma and Edmund Bertram in Mansfield Park (2007)
Rupert Evans as Frank Churchill in Emma and Frederick Hale in North and South
Christina Cole as Mrs. Elton in Emma, Caroline Bingley in Lost in Austen, Blanche Ingram in Jane Eyre (2006), and Nora
Rowley in He Knew He was Right
*Please note: I have not seen all of the above mentioned Period Dramas… many thanks to IMDb for this information!*
Ramola Garai as Emma Woodhouse in Emma and Barbara Spooner/Wilberforce in Amazing Grace
Micheal Gambon as Mr. Woodhouse in Emma, King George V in The King’s Speech, Thomas Holbrook in Cranford, Squire Hamley in Wives and Daughters, and Lord Charles Fox in Amazing Grace
Johnny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley in Emma, Edmund Bertram in Mansfield Park (1999), and Charles Price in Mansfield Park (1983)
Robert Bathurst as Mr. Weston in Emma, Sir Anthony Strallan in Downton Abbey, and Lt. Eccleston in Hornblower; The Even Chance
Blake Ritson as Mr. Elton in Emma and Edmund Bertram in Mansfield Park (2007)
Rupert Evans as Frank Churchill in Emma and Frederick Hale in North and South
Christina Cole as Mrs. Elton in Emma, Caroline Bingley in Lost in Austen, Blanche Ingram in Jane Eyre (2006), and Nora
Rowley in He Knew He was Right
*Please note: I have not seen all of the above mentioned Period Dramas… many thanks to IMDb for this information!*