Emma.

The other film I meant to see last March is Emma., the latest take on Jane Austen's last novel published in her lifetime. I'm old enough to remember two other film versions in the mid-90s (one being Clueless), but I never saw them. But I've now seen this film, which marks the directorial debut of photographer Autumn de Wilde.

Let's see if I can cut through the knotted romantic threads. Emma Woodhouse (Anna Taylor-Joy) prides herself as a matchmaker. She already set up her governess, Mrs. Taylor (Gemma Whelan) with wealthy Mr. Weston (Rupert Graves). She decides to take on orphaned girl Harriet Smith (Mia Goth) as her new best friend. Mr. Martin (Connor Swindells) proposes to Harriet, but Emma sets her up with vicar Mr. Elton (Josh O'Connor). But Mr. Elton likes Emma instead. Emma likes Mr. Weston's son Frank Churchill (Callum Turner) instead. Emma's brother-in-law, Mr. Knightley (Johnny Flynn), likes her too. Emma doesn't like him back. But then they do like each other.

Everybody got that?

Eleanor Catton's screenplay is a perfectly complicated comedy of manners. The characters, at their worst, are never loathsome people. Maybe except for Emma's sister, Isabella, and her husband, who never stop bickering. But even Mr. Elton, who coldly can't "think about Miss Smith when Miss Woodhouse is near," is a likable dolt. He seems heartbroken when Emma rejects him (but then quickly rebounds). 

A few more likable characters come with Emma's doddering father (Bill Nighy) and eccentric neighbor Miss Bates (Miranda Hart). He's got some odd quirks but he's still a loving father. She talks a lot but she still has feelings. Harriet, meanwhile, reveals herself more complicated than she appears

There's also Emma herself. Taylor-Joy is pretty good as the socially ignorant Emma. The movie is about her learning to be more considerate. We see the consequences of her thoughtlessness in due time. One of the most devastating for her is hurting Miss Bates's feelings. Her social ignorance never rises to loathsomeness. Her love-hate relationship with Mr. Knightley is just as good as Elizabeth and Darcy in Pride and Prejudice (with and without Zombies). 

There's plenty to see and hear in Emma. Alexandra Byrne dresses Emma herself in searingly bright dresses, including a gold one that sadly, is in one scene. Her house, which is seen throughout the film, is an impressive estate visualized by Kave Quinn. There's also some great English scenery photographed by Christopher Blauevelt. We also have an energetic folk score by David Schweitzer and Isobel Waller-Bridge. There's quite a bit to consider come Oscar time in a few months.

Emma. (period included) is sure to please Austen fans. Austen's dry wit is alive and well after 200 some years. I don't know how it compares to the other films, or to Clueless, but it's a good romantic comedy. A few viewings maybe needed to get through the love triangles within love triangles. But it's a good way to spend 124 minutes or so. Perhaps I should have seen it last year in theaters.

Perhaps...