This is the latest adaptation of Jane Austen’s comedy novel of manners and romance.
This stars Anya Taylor-Joy in the title role, Johnny Flynn as Knightly, Bill Nighy as Mr Woodhouse, Mia Goth as Harriett Smith, Miranda Hart as Miss Bates, Josh O’Connor as Mr Elton, Calum Turner as Frank Weston, Rupert Graves as Mr Weston and Gemma Whelan as Mrs Weston.
In particular, Bill Nighy is excellent as Emma’s overly anxious widowed father, and Miranda Hart is the best Miss Bates I have seen. She is both incredibly funny and endearing as the eccentric spinster. In the Box Hill scene, the whole cinema audibly gasped and booed/ooed and was definitely Team Miss Bates.
Emma has never been my favourite Austen story (joint second with Pride and Prejudice, behind Sense & Sensibility), but this film was one of the funniest Austen adaptations I have seen.
9/10