Emma. (2020)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

If British style period drama served with a dash of humour and romance is you cup of tea, then this latest adaptation of Jane Austin's much read and loved novel EMMA is perfect. Anya Taylor Joy takes on the title role as Emma, who is introduced to the audience as "handsome, clever and rich". That about sums up her character very well except perhaps for the fact that she has taken upon herself the role of a matchmaker while proclaiming that she herself shall remain unmarried and totally devoted to her aging widower father. In the process she messes up with her latest attempt at matchmaking despite her good intentions and finds herself increasingly drawn to the most unlikely suitor.

Anya Taylor Joy whom many of you may recognise as being the girl who stole the show in M Knight Shyamalan's Split and subsequently, Glass, is a joy to watch (pun intended) here as she embodies the persona of Emma perfectly. She is one of the rare actresses today who can perform just as well without words as with. Her composure and slight facial or body movement is enough to convey multitude of meanings. As if this performance is not enough to captivate the viewer, the film also boasts of many exquisite sets and costumes. The various interiors of the mansions inhabited by the super rich characters, especially the mansion of Mr Knightley, are all impressive and majestic with huge portraits and paintings gracing each room as the characters casually stroll in and out of the rooms. The locations used to represent the 1800's England countryside is picture perfect. And the humour is never forced. This might well be the best romantic comedy of the year!

Emma so aptly directed by Autumn de Wilde is a real delight and treat to watch in these strange times as it can really transport the viewer to a different time and era. You can cast aside the constant reminder of the corvid19 and lockdown for two hours and immerse yourself to a time and place that is carefree. A time where the most important thing in every unmarried woman's mind is how to get herself married!