by Jane Austen
“Emma has been meaning to read more ever since she was twelve years old. I have seen a great many lists of her drawing up at various times of books that she meant to read regularly through—and very good lists they were—very well chosen, and very neatly arranged—sometimes alphabetically, and sometimes by some other rule. The list she drew up when only fourteen—I remember thinking it did her judgment so much credit, that I preserved it some time; and I dare say she may have made out a very good list now. But I have done with expecting any course of steady reading from Emma. She will never submit to any thing requiring industry and patience, and a subjection of the fancy to the understanding.”
–Mr. Knightly to Mrs. Weston about their friend, Emma–
I have seen the 4 film/BBC versions of Emma probably dozens of times between them all, not including the wonderful Clueless. So I thought I knew the plot of Jane Austen’s novel backward and forwards. And I did! However, the main thing the movies don’t convey is how unlikable Emma is throughout almost all of the book. I think the actresses who have played her, with the exception of one, just have so much charm that I could not help but overlook Emma’s faults and be captivated. Her character flaws become amusing little foibles in the movies that you smile at fondly. As Jane Austen wrote her though, she is judgmental, lazy, arrogant, and small-minded. She is foolish and even mean at times. I shudder to think what might have become of Harriet if Mr. Martin had not been so faithful and forgiving. And although she does learn her lesson and is suitably chastened, her character does not exactly experience a complete transformation. I could easily have seen her going back to her old ways if not for the continuing good influence of Mr. Knightly, who unaccountably really loves her from the beginning despite her faults.
I really enjoyed all of the extra detail and the characterizations of all of the players. The reader, Alison Larkin, was excellent. Particularly making Emma so initially unsympathetic, and then maturing her in the end. She made Mrs. Elton and Mr. Woodhouse so annoying but so funny, and her reading of Miss Bates was a scream: just as classic as Sophie Thompson’s portrayal in Gwyneth Paltrow’s Emma.**4 out of 5 stars**
July 13, 2018
Rebekah's Readings and Watchings 
By now these are my dear old friends. I especially loved this moment after she had returned from Miss Bates…..the unspoken communication, something had changed. I particularly love the way she says “won’t you come too”? Nicely done, Emma!! 🙂
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Boy am I loving this production. I’m not sure I understand the John Knightley character though. Maybe meant to demonstrate the second son mindset? He seems testy and not so testy. I wonder if you have seen this? I can’t begin to imagine what it must take. Honestly, I think it might take less talent to write it than to score it.
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I’ve seen it many times. John Knightly is a good man, but he has a temper and is often impatient. He speaks his mind. Don’t forget he has 5 children. And Isabella is a worrier like her father.
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Thanks…..I’m in awe of musicians, and the creative process, having had exactly one piano lesson wherein I discovered that my hands couldn’t possibly move independently of one another! I was wondering if John was following his character in the book or if it was an acting choice. Lucy’s book(think FABULOUS!!) states that “between 1750 and 1799 a woman bore on average an astonishing seven children not counting miscarriages or stillbirths”. I’m gonna go out on a limb and call that tacky, besides being heartbreakingly dangerous.
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Yes, in the book, John is on the prickly side.
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I just watched the 2009 Emma, again, and marveled at the music again. To me, talent like this is so far beyond anything I can imagine. I wasn’t sure whether you meant that you had seen this behind the scenes video many times or the movie itself. Or both. 🙂 I’m going to watch the 1995 P&P later, now that I am fully armed. 😉
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I’ve seen the movie many times and the “extras” once. All of the Jane Austen adaptations have something to recommend them. I envy you still having some to watch for the first time.
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I just watched the 2020 “Emma” and loved it!!! But I think watching and loving the 2009 one first so many times was the way to go; I’m not sure if I had watched the 2020 one first that I would have watched another one. Gosh it was a delight. Did you read the trivia? All of the stars were actually playing the musical instruments!! No dubbing. And Anya Taylor Joy actually can make her nose bleed and that was real!!! Hard to believe but true apparently. First time director also:
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Yes, I liked it too. Although it is quite controversial in Austen fandom circles. I didn’t really like the actor who played Knightly (Knightly!) much though. my favorite is Jeremy Northam.
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When I start watching the 2020 I just start smiling. I liked the bit at the end about Harriet’s Dad and Emma’s attitude about it. Two different approaches in the two movies so somebody had to make a pretty major choice if it was in the book. I felt like they were doing it like people wanted it to be….it worked for me. 🙂 Impressive trusting a big deal movie like that to a first time director. Good for her.
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I know exactly what you mean about envying me for what I still have to watch!! 🙂 I just watched all of the 1995 P&P!!! (I thought I had seen it but I’d only seen excerpts I guess) Oh My Gosh!!!!!! A while back I remember making the fatuous remark that I liked the 2005 one better because their hems were dirty. By now I know that the Bennets weren’t a bunch of sty dwelling Okies and I can’t imagine what the makers of that version were thinking. 1995 is GLORIOUS! Mrs Bennet’s overly shrill histrionics did get on my nerves and I kept praying for a stroke.
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Agree. It can’t be beat. My favorite. I liked 2005 but was taken aback by the pigs and the Bennets relatively happy marriage.
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I thought Alison Steadman was hilarious.
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This has to be my favorite adaptation without even bothering to watch the others! 😉 I do love it. “Won’t you come too”? I love the way she says that. All that’s left now is Mansfield Park. I read reviews and I’m leaning toward 1999 because I see familiar faces. What do you say? I’m getting ready to watch it now. I have bought 3 DVDs and 5 books……the Treasury Dept. posted a plaque naming you motivator of the year. Oh, and what about “The Jane Austen Book Club”? I just ran into it and it looks promising.
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None of them are that great, but the 1999 one is the most entertaining, I think. I really have to watch all three of them again though. It’s time.
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I just watched the last 20 minutes of the 1999 one and that might be sufficient. Looked like a pretty good production. I was very surprised(to put it mildly) to find out that Jonny Lee Miller was married around that time to Angelina Jolie; drove her into the arms of Billy Bob. 😉
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Is that the one with Kate Beckinsale? She came to America, got her teeth fixed, and lost her sweet fresh-faced look. Yep, I guess AJ was not the Mr. Knightly type.
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The Jane Austen Book Club is a pretty good movie. But I have no desire to see it again. I never read the book. The relationships more closely mirror the novels.
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Tonight on Antiques Roadshow there’s a 2nd edition Pride and Prejudice from 1813. Should be interesting to compare:
https://www.hampshirelive.news/news/hampshire-news/inscribed-copy-first-edition-jane-7668623
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Well that one is inscribed. Seem low.
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Really? I had no idea about value. But read about what “inscribed” meant at that time though. I do like who it was sent to because of her connection to the Anne Taylor character.
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Yes that was a negative……he looked like a duded up wrestler. Also didn’t take to Jane Fairfax but she sure can play the piano. I liked Harriet and didn’t care for Elton, and on and on. Whenever I hear identical dialog, I know it’s verbatim from Jane’s hand. It was fun to watch an Emma with some different sides and it was beautiful to look at. It was fine getting the “back story” first though. I really did enjoy it. Thanks for the gift that keeps on giving!!! I think I’ll catch a buzz and watch it again! 🙂
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Can’t get enough of stuff like this. All four of the bloopers in the series are good but if you just watch one this is good. I’m learning what you were referring to about being controversial.
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