Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Emma. Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 18, 2020

Perhaps it’s the longing for the complicated high society romances of days never known to today’s audiences beyond various recreations for the screen and the texts of the time. Perhaps it’s the splendor of splendid people and places and things. Perhaps it’s just targeted escapism, but for whatever reason the Regency period of English history has become a frequent setting for books, films, and films based on books. Notable period author Jane Austen’s written works in particular have frequently, in recent years, enjoyed many successful translations to film, including the classic Colin Firth BBC version of Pride and Prejudice as well as the Kiera Knightly version thereof. There's even been modern spins of Austen's works and even films built around her biggest fans. Emma has been translated several times. This take is neither as faithful to the original written work as the 1996 Gwyneth Paltrow film nor as humorously modern as Clueless, though it does serve as a completely acceptable, but also entirely forgettable, new entry into the increasingly assorted and storied Austen-on-film library.

Emma Woodhouse (Anya Taylor-Joy) is a young, rich, and beautiful girl who believes herself to be a good matchmaker after helping her former governess find love. Emma finds herself lonely without the companionship of the new Mrs. Weston (Gemma Whelan) and seeks out Harriet Smith (Mia Goth), a young woman of unknown parentage, as her new companion and friend. When Robert Martin (Connor Swindells) proposes to Harriet, Emma encourages her to reject his affections, believing that Harriet can do better than settle for a dairy farmer. Emma’s meddling causes friction with George Knightley (Johnny Flynn) who believes that Harriet should have accepted Mr. Martin’s proposal. As Emma attempts to help Harriet find a better marriage candidate, hilarity ensues even as hearts are broken.

Director Autumn de Wilde’s take on Jane Austen’s beloved novel Emma plays heavily on the comedic aspects of a matchmaker’s work gone wrong. The film’s humor hits the mark more often than not but does fall flat, on occasion, particularly as the film cannot always decide if it’s shooting for a true adaptation of Austen’s work or as a modest satire on the larger genre. Cast and crew often seem to be hamming it up, struggling to balance the story’s comedic beats with its dramatic content without pushing to farce. The film ultimately does stay more-or-less on the straight-and-narrow, ensuring that the material never pushes too heavy or humorous at any given time. It’s never quite in perfect balance and full bloom but generally it serves the core story well, if not playing with a mildly, and sometimes manically, goofy edge.

Emma. is, at its heart, a character driven film rather than a costume drama, though certainly the two go hand-in-hand here. Taylor-Joy shoulders the movie’s load, both dramatic and comedic, appearing in most every scene and doing a fine good job portraying the iconic lead character with a combination of wit and naivety. Johnny Flynn’s work as George Knightley serves as another highlight, helping to keep the film light with both mocking humor and unrequited love. Mia Goth brings the film together as the confused and malleable Harriet. The sets and scenery create a lovely backdrop for the film; production detail is exquisite with no scene wanting for more satisfying visual resplendence.

Emma. Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Emma.'s digital photography dazzles on Blu-ray. The picture is abundantly clear at all times, even in low light. Every texture comes alive at 1080p, bringing out the finest intricacies in the resplendently decorated set pieces, breathtaking natural locales, and of course the period attire which showcases every fine stitch, fabric detail, and lacy accent. Skin textures are superbly sharp and vibrant, revealing finely applied makeup, natural pores and lines, and fine hairs with striking clarity in close-up and fine definition even at some distance. The picture is sharp corner to corner in almost all instances. Colors are brilliant, boasting impeccable tonal clarity and accuracy. Natural greens are a highlight but are often overshadowed by tonally brilliant clothing, paint, and furnishings, such as sofas and drapery. Skin tones appear spot-on and black levels are perfectly deep and pure, though some shots look deliberately raised to a mild degree, seemingly by filmmaker vision and design. The picture shows almost no noise of intrusive depth and it's free of any other blemishes like banding and aliasing. This is a handsome, regal presentation from Universal.

Emma. Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The included DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack handles duties admirably, which are limited, primarily, to dialogue, music, and atmospheric effects. The spoken word dominates and presents with lifelike clarity and front-center positioning. It's balanced and well prioritized throughout. Music accompanies with pleasant front side stretch and resplendent instrumental clarity, whether in-film music or overlaid score. Surrounds don't carry music in abundance but there is some wrap to help gently envelop the listener into the notes. The low end also carries just enough to give it necessary heft but never to the point of sounding overweight. Natural environmental details, such as light winds and chirping birds, spring to life with expert placement and natural spacial immersion. Though it's never pushed, the track pushes all the right buttons in support of the film's breezy and basic sonic needs.

Emma. Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Emma.'s Blu-ray includes deleted scenes, a gag reel, three featurettes, and an audio commentary track. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

• Deleted Scenes (1080p, 13:24 total runtime): Included are Miss Smith Waits for Tea; Mr Elton and the Portrait; It's Dark in Here; I Never Dine With Anybody; Gossip at the Haberdashery; Let Us Pay a Call on Jane Fairfax; Freshen the Sponge, Bartholomew; Dressing Miss Woodhouse; A Post for Dear Jane; and You Owe Me No Apologies.
• Gag Reel (1080p, 10:53): Humorous moments from the shoot.
• A Playful Tease (1080p, 4:57): A look at casting and the qualities the actors brought to the roles and the story, rehearsals and getting into character, and Anya Taylor-Joy's on- and off-screen friendship with Mia Goth.
• The Autumn Gaze (1080p, 4:46): A close examination of first-time director Autumn de Wilde's work on the film.
• Crafting a Colorful World (1080p, 4:48): Exploring the film's lavish production design.
• Audio Commentary: Autumn de Wilde, Screenwriter Eleanor Catton, and Director of Photography Christopher Blauvelt deliver a well-versed commentary full of both narrative and technical insight.

Emma. Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Emma. is light on its feet and breezy in its cadence. The undercurrent drama is frequently offset by the movie's springy mood made by carefully crafted characters that teeter on satire but hold firm to the story's essentials at the same time. It looks great, too, particularly on Blu-ray where the production design thrives. The audio track is first-rate, too, and the disc comes with a satisfying myriad of essential extras. Recommended.