Aaand here we have another misinterpretation of Jane Austen's Emma.
Adaptations like these are off-putting. Yes, I must admit it took Sandy Welch to reveal her to me too, but after having had my eyes opened in 2008, then returning to the book - it is all there.
I love my Emma, she is very dear to me. I take objection to her being portrayed as arrogant and snotty and superficial and haughty. Those are NOT her faults. This film, like all the others, makes her all vain, not just a little.
And my dear beloved George's dry humour - where was it? Nowhere, that's where! They butchered the 'Mrs Knightley"-scene!
Emma's infatuation with Frank Churchill was not made clear at all.
Why make Isabella a b***h?
What's with the red-coated girl parade? What is this? 'Don't look now'??
No, no, no! The ball is not where they fall in love. To have something that's a slow developing realisation on both parts thrown in our faces so obviously is an insult.
Emma's relationship with Harriet is wrong.
The film is long and boring. The filmmaker made it laughable, but not in an endearing way. This film has no heart.
And through all the colours and unnecessary opulence, at the end they turn the sweetest love scene into slapstick, after turning George into a wuss.
And now, after having watched it for completeness's sake, I may forget about it.
It needn't have been made on my account, and it does disservice to my dear Emma. This one I cannot love.
Two good things about it, therefore two stars: George wasn't completely off at times, I liked that they put in the scene with George and Mrs Weston and George with Mr Martin. Bill Nighy was fun. Everything else is forgettable.
