Emma Woodhouse has a very privileged life, considering that her mother died when she was very young. At least she wasn’t sent away and she was allowed to stay at home, unlike the two other children who’s mothers died in much the same manner. When Emma grows up though, she is content in her home and enjoys matchmaking and ruling over the love lives of those around her. Emma sets her eyes on Harriet Smith, an illegitimate child of most likely a nobleman. Emma decides that she will turn Harriet into her special project and find her true love… However, every suitor that Emma finds for Harriet seems to rather fall in love with Emma. Unfortunately Emma is blind by what’s right in front of her and doesn’t realise who has been loving her all her life…
BBC released Emma in 2009, which was originally a novel by Jane Austen. Now, as like almost all of Jane Austen’s, Emma is also about the class divisions that were found during the nineteenth century. Thankfully, and this is what makes Jane Austen such a great author, it’s not as “in your face” as one would think. In fact, the romance and comedy is much more prominent within the book and the mini-series certainly captured that spark that Jane Austen wrote with.
This particular version of Emma is probably one of the best versions there is, and is highly recommended for those university students who have not yet read the novel (I can say I am one of those university students). Emma sports an enigmatic cast that perfectly compliments their characters and the story will linger in your mind for a long time afterwards. Also, the spectacular performances by Romola Garai (Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights) and Johnny Lee Miller (Hackers) definitely shows that this mini-series was thought about long and hard, before jumping into it without prior knowledge of what the novel was about. I’m inclined to say that BBC actually did a magnificent job by adapting the novel to screen.
Emma is a mini-series in four parts and two hours for each episode. It may sound like a long time to sit still and watch an eighteenth century plot play itself out on TV, but it will hook you after the first hour, especially when you’re dreaming of happy endings and romance all the way. I know that I’m not usually the one that goes on about gushy movies, but my guilty pleasure is unfortunately one that might surprise you… historical romances. So yeah, if you’re in the mood to get your Jane Austen hat on and watch a really good film, you absolutely must get your hands on the BBC mini-series of Emma. Not only will Johnny Lee Miller (Mr. Knightly) steal your heart, but Romola Garai (Emma) will often make you sigh in frustration. It’s brilliant for a Sunday, so ladies (and gents who might share this same guilty pleasure) don’t delay in watching this version or owning it for that matter. It’s definitely worth it.
