Emma Woodhouse (Anya Taylor-Joy) prides herself on her talents as a matchmaker and her independence. When a new companion arrives, Harriet Smith (Mia Goth), Emma takes it upon herself to educate her in the ways of higher society, and find her a suitable husband.
Throw in love triangles, miscommunication and Emma’s frenemy George Knightley (Johnny Flynn), and you have…
This is one of those movies that lived up to the vibe of the trailer. Even though it has been over a year, I still remember thinking there is something a bit stilted about the trailer for Emma.
There is something a bit stilted about this movie.
The comic timing is a bit off - the edits on reactions are slow; the shot selection favours tableaux over anything else; the over-use of to-camera close-ups during dialogue scenes.
The latter make the movie genuinely off -putting during scenes where we need to track the shifts and changes in their relationships.
What makes it all so bizarre is that every now and then the comedy does work: there is a bit of bickering in the quiet before the ball begins the blocking of Emma and Harriet sitting dejectedly while Miranda Hart’s Miss Bates blathers on and on.
The movie wants to be a light romp but there is something lifeless and leaden about it.
The acting is generally good - Hart is terrifyingly verbose; Bill Nighy is fun as the hypochondriac Mr Woodhouse; Johnny Flynn (Lovesick) is great as Emma’s offsides.
The one performer who the movie cannot work with is Taylor Joy - I like her in the role, but there is a disconnect between her and the other players that I cannot put my finger on. Part of the reason might be those constant to-camera close ups. Taylor-Joy is an arresting performer, but she and the rest of the cast look absolutely terrifying in these Kubrickian close-ups.
The acting is good and the production design is lovely, but I never managed to get onto the movie’s wavelength. I cannot say that Emma is not watchable, but it comes off a bit too stately and awkward to become truly immersive.
Watch this space. I might take another look at this one. Or review Clueless.
No comments:
Post a Comment