COVID-19 Special: 'Emma' (U)

Director: Autumn de Wilde

Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Bill Nighy, Mia Goth, Josh O'Connor

Where can I watch?: You can rent Emma from Amazon Prime

Rating: 4/5

Review: Another decade, another adaptation of Jane Austen's arguably most scathing novel, Emma. One could argue that if you've seen one, you've seen them all, and yet I would suggest that Autumn de Wilde's latest foray does indeed add something new to the canon. For starters, Anya Taylor-Joy's Emma isn't always likeable. In fact, she's comes across as far more sly and malevolent in this adaptation than in any of the others, making her salvation (not a spoiler!) all the more rewarding. De Wilde, familiar with photography and music videos, directs stylishly - each scene is dressed to the nines, the costumes are nothing short of sumptuous, and each shot could indeed be a standalone photo, such is the expert composition. The cast is ubiquitously excellent, with Johnny Flynn bringing a touch of 'the rogue' (and bare bottom action) to Mr Knightley, while Bill Nighy fleshes out Emma's father with little more than unhappy grunts and twitches of the lip.

A COVID-19 Must-Watch?: An attractive cast swans round in beautiful clothes against a backdrop of picturesque countryside - lovely. Billy Nighy's also in it, which is always a win.

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