Emma

Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny Flynn in Emma

Autumn de Wilde's  Emma is a droll and delightful Jane Austen adaptation. Some have objected to the broad comic tone de Wilde has chosen, but I think it is perfect for Austen who I view as more of a light entertainer like Thackeray than a major artist such as Dickens or George Eliot. This may be my hangup: I keep waiting for a dark, Byronic male to show up in Austen, but all I get are callow rakes that pale next to those of even Richardson. This Emma has ravishing decor and costumes, lithe cinematography and a deft cast. 

Anya Taylor-Joy brings out the imperiousness of Emma more than her forebears. Taylor-Joy's steely technique is a nice contrast with the more roughhewn style of Johnny Flynn as Mr. Knightly. Ms. de Wilde's objectification of Mr. Flynn is a nice example of tables being turned amidst a pageant of pagan iconography.

Ms. de Wilde was heretofore an LA based still photographer and video director. Emma shares the vibrant color and playfulness of de Wilde's previous work, but de Wilde also proves to be adept with her cast. Mia Goth, Miranda Hart and Bill Nighy are the standouts in a cast that provides many memorable comic vignettes. Emma is a strong first feature and among the finest films released this year; damning with faint praise, I know. It ranks with the best Austen adaptations: Patricia Rozema's Mansfield Park, Whit Stillman's Love & Friendship and Amy Heckerling's Clueless.