Set during the Regency-era of England, the film revolves around the activities of a young woman in the titular character of Emma Woodhouse who likes to be a matchmaker as she also copes with her own desires in life while improving the lives of others. It’s a film with a simple premise yet it explores a young woman who seems to have a lot of influence on those she meets yet often finds herself sparring with her brother-in-law’s brother in George Knightley (Johnny Flynn). The film’s script is told in the span of the year and broken into four seasons beginning with autumn and ending in the summer. It all play into Emma’s own pursuit of control and success in matchmaking as she befriends a student in Harriet Smith (Mia Goth) who lives in an orphanage of sorts as she is awaiting the identity of her father. Emma tries to get Smith to be in a relationship with the young vicar in Mr. Elton (Josh O’Connor) that doesn’t go well while she also tries to be get in a relationship for herself with her former governess’ step-son Frank Churchill (Callum Turner).
The script uses the four season structure to play into Emma’s growth as a person but also in her friendship with Smith and rivalry with Knightley although the latter also cares for Emma’s father (Bill Nighy) who copes with the idea of being alone though Emma plans not to leave him. The script also play into Emma’s relationships with others including Miss Bates (Miranda Hart) whom Emma is fond of as well as her former governess Mrs. Weston (Gemma Whelan) and her husband Mr. Weston (Rupert Graves). Notably as Emma would meet Churchill as she has to deal with the presence of Mrs. Bates’ niece Jane Fairfax (Amber Anderson) as it would create a rivalry of sorts for Churchill’s affections that would serve as a challenge to Emma who is forced to confront her own faults.
Autumn de Wilde’s direction is definitely mesmerizing in her presentation from the meticulous attention to detail in her framing as well as the way she presents this vibrant period of the times in England as it is shot on various locations in Britain with Firle Place in Sussex as the exterior of Emma’s home. The direction has de Wilde maintain this sense of atmosphere in the film as she also maintains a certain look for each season to recreate this idea of what it was like in those times. The usage of wide and medium shots add to the look of the film where de Wilde create these striking compositions that include shots of young girls wearing red robes walking in the background. There are also these shots that do look like they’re recreation of paintings while de Wilde also knows when to use close-ups as whether it’s a close-up of a face or hands as it says a lot in doing so little. It showcases the attention to detail in what de Wilde wants to capture in the way characters behave towards one another while choosing to create scenes that help play into the drama or a comedic moment.
Much of the film’s humor is low-key as de Wilde knows when to create something that is funny but it is done with much subtlety in the way Smith reacts to Mr. Elton’s portrait or the way Emma reacts to a bad situation along with her own feelings towards Mr. Knightley later in the film. The direction has de Wilde also maintain this air of tension that does start to loom in the third act with some revelations about Churchill as well as Emma losing some sense of control as she is forced to deal with her own growing pains. Still, de Wilde does find a way to flesh out the story and characters where it would allow Emma to figure things out but also do something for herself towards the end. Overall, de Wilde crafts an intoxicating and heartfelt film about a young woman who plays matchmaker for those around her while coping with her own faults and feelings about herself and everyone else.
Cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt does brilliant work with the film’s lush and colorful cinematography with its usage of natural lighting for some of the daytime exterior scenes set in sunny days to its usage of low-key lights and filters for a few scenes in the winter along with candle lights for a few nighttime interior scenes. Editor Nick Emerson does excellent work with the editing as it is largely straightforward with some rhythmic cuts to play into some of the dramatic and comedic reaction of characters. Production designer Kave Quinn, with set decorator Stella Fox and supervising art director Andrea Matheson, does amazing work with the interior look of the rooms and places that Emma and other characters go to including some of the shops and the ballroom for the ball scene at Miss Bates’ home. Costume designer Alexandra Byrne does fantastic work with the costumes as it has a lot of life from the simplest of clothing to the lavish dresses the women wear as it is a highlight of the film.
Hair/makeup designers Marese Langan, Laura Allen, and Claudia Stolze do wonderful work with the design of the hairstyles as there’s a lot of attention to detail into the hairstyles that the women have including some of the things that Emma has on her head. Special effects supervisor Neal Champion and visual effects supervisor Dillan Nicholls do terrific work with some of the film’s minimal special effects as it is largely bits of set dressing to help enhance the visuals. Sound editor Glenn Freemantle does superb work with the film’s sound as it adds to the atmosphere of the scene in capturing the natural locations along with some mixing in the way music and sparse sounds are heard in a room. The film’s music by Isobel Waller-Bridge and David Schweitzer is incredible for its mixture of orchestral music and the folk music of the time as it adds to the humor and drama with some lush string arrangements in some parts of the film while music supervisor Becky Bentham help provide the array of folk themes that were available during those times including a few originals that add to the atmosphere of the period.
The casting by Jessica Ronane is marvelous as it feature some notable small roles from Chloe Pirrie as Emma’s sister Isabella, Oliver Chris as George’s brother and Isabella’s husband John, Tanya Reynolds as a young woman in Augusta whom Mr. Elton would be with later in the film, Gemma Whelan as Emma’s former governess in Miss Taylor who becomes Mrs. Weston, Rupert Graves as Mr. Weston who does what he can to help Emma out, Amber Anderson as Miss Bates’ niece Jane Fairfax who becomes a source of competition for Emma although she is really a nice person, and Connor Swindells in a superb performance as Robert Martin as a friend of Mr. Knightley who pursues Harriet as he is someone that doesn’t have much to offer but is still a man of honor. Callum Turner is terrific as Frank Churchill as Mr. Weston’s son from his first marriage who is a charming young man that intrigues Emma though he is also quite cagey in the way he reacts towards Miss Fairfax.
Josh O’Connor is fantastic as Reverend Mr. Elton as a young vicar whom Emma tries to have him be a suitor for Harriet only he’s kind of a dimwit with other interests instead of Harriet as he would also prove to be much colder later in the film. Miranda Hart is excellent as Miss Bates as a woman who had been a lifelong family friend to Emma as she is trying to organize balls and be helpful to Emma and Harriet as it is an understated yet touching performance from Hart. Bill Nighy is brilliant as Mr. Woodhouse as Emma’s father as a man of great importance as well as being wise to the young people while lamenting over the idea of being lonely and ill since he is unable to deal with cold weather as it is a touching performance from Nighy. Johnny Flynn is amazing as Mr. George Knightley as a young man who is close with Emma’s family as he isn’t fond of Emma’s schemes and her behavior yet also is aware of her value as he also is attentive towards Harriet following Mr. Elton’s snub towards her proving he’s a good man that Emma really needs.
Mia Goth is phenomenal as Harriett Smith as a young woman who is awaiting the identity of her father as she lives in a school/orphanage where she becomes Emma’s friend while trying to find herself and her own wants in life as it is this mesmerizing and heartfelt performance from Goth. Finally, there’s Anya Taylor-Joy in a tremendous performance as the titular character as this young woman who likes to be a matchmaker and be in control of everything. Taylor-Joy brings a lot of wit and charisma to her performance but also bring up this air of naïveté as someone who doesn’t know as much as she believes as it is a career-defining performance for Taylor-Joy.
Emma is a sensational film from Autumn de Wilde that features a great leading performance from Anya Taylor-Joy as the titular character. Along with its supporting ensemble cast, ravishing visuals, its theme of love and control, a mesmerizing music score, and gorgeous locations. The film is definitely a compelling and whimsical comedy-drama that plays into the ideas of love and a young woman’s perception of it as it is faithful to the ideas and vision of its creator in Jane Austen. In the end, Emma is a phenomenal film from Autumn de Wilde.
© thevoid99 2021
Written and directed by Paul Feig, Spy is the story of a CIA office worker who becomes a field agent for an assignment once the identity of many of its field agents have been compromised as this woman has to stop a crime boss’ daughter from revealing the location of a nuclear bomb. The film is sort of a spoof on spy films where the person that is to save the world is an unlikely person as she doesn’t have the physical requirements to be one but has the heart and determination to get the job done. Starring Melissa McCarthy, Jude Law, Rose Byrne, Jason Statham, Miranda Hart, Bobby Cannavale, Peter Serafinowicz, and Allison Janney. Spy is a witty and adventurous film from Paul Feig.
When the identities of top field agents for the CIA trying to find the location of a nuclear bomb have been revealed to the daughter of a recently deceased crime boss. An analyst who wants to seek vengeance for the death of a spy she cared for is tasked to take part in the assignment where she is initially excited about doing the job but things don’t exactly go her way. The film is essentially a spoof of sorts on spy films where it plays into the idea of a woman, who might not have the typical yet superficial image of spies, as she is given the chance to save the world. Yet, she would endure some humiliating moments in trying to catch her targets while having to deal with a rogue field agent who is trying to do her work in ways that makes him look even stupider than he already is.
It is all part of a world where the villains are dealing with this woman who might be a whole lot easier to kill considering that she doesn’t fit the mold of other spies but it’s also an advantage for the character of Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) who manages to do more than everyone expects from her. Paul Feig’s screenplay does follow conventional elements that is expected in spy films but also creates characters that are very engaging. While Cooper is just a nice analyst who is very good at helping field agents find their way out of a situation where she becomes close with the spy Bradley Fine (Jude Law). When Fine is killed in a mission by the target’s daughter Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne), Cooper wants to take the mission to avenge Fine though she is forced to wear a series of humiliating disguises and identities while having her best friend and fellow analyst Nancy (Miranda Hart) to guide her through an earpiece.
The script would also allow moments that are funny such as the antics involving former CIA agent Rick Ford (Jason Statham) who is upset that Cooper gets the assignment which prompts him to go rogue and do stupid things. His character is sort of a play on spies for not just how tough they are and how much bullshit they tend to talk but it is presented in a funny way as Ford is a man who is all brawn but no brains. While Rayna is an antagonist, she is not a traditional one since she is essentially a woman who is a pawn of a bigger scheme while feeling she’s not getting any kind of respect where she and Cooper seem to have a rapport despite the fact that they’re enemies. Even smaller characters like Nancy, CIA boss Elaine Crocker (Allison Janney), and an Italian agent named Aldo (Peter Serafinowicz) manage to do a lot more which add to the story and its comedic tone.
Feig’s direction definitely pays an ode to spy films while managing to be something that is of its own. Notably as it isn’t afraid to not take itself so seriously where some of the comedy is played very loosely and natural. Though much of it is shot largely on location in Budapest with a few second-unit shots of Rome, Paris, and Washington D.C., the film does have a look that is very worldly and lively which is expected in spy films but also manages to have something where it does have this woman be a fish out of water in these places. Most notably where Cooper would think she would have the time of her life traveling to Rome, Paris, Sofia, and Budapest but would often stay in the worst hotels and in the most horrific disguises as a mother of four or a woman with 9 cats. While many of Feig’s compositions are simple, he does manage to create something that is visually exciting while matching it with a naturalist approach to comedy.
Feig is also able to find a sense of energy in the action scenes while knowing where to put in some funny moments that do feel natural and realistic with elements of disbelief for laughs. Feig would also include some very crude humor that involves Cooper having her first kill and her reaction to it is very funny while it is followed by a scene where the CIA analysts are looking into the dead man’s phone and photos where they find some very personal things. The film’s climax which involves this Italian playboy named Sergio de Luca (Bobby Cannavale) and the deal of this nuclear weapon not only continues to find the balance between humor and action but it would also have a payoff that isn’t just funny but also satisfying. Overall, Feig has created a very thrilling and hilarious film about a woman who becomes a spy.
Cinematographer Robert Yeomen does excellent work with the cinematography as it‘s very straightforward and colorful to play into the vibrancy of the locations as well as some inspired usage of lights some of the interiors and for scenes at night. Editors Don Zimmerman and Dean Zimmerman do amazing work with the editing where it allows itself to play into conventional action-style cutting but also with a sense of timing and rhythm to play into the comedy and find ways to mesh both styles. Production designer Jefferson Sage, with art directors Tom Brown and Bence Erdelyi and set decorator Kelly Berry, does brilliant work with the set designs from some of the hotels Cooper goes to as well as the lavish homes and hotels she would meet Rayna and other targets. Costume designer Christine Bieselin Clark does nice work with the costumes from the tuxedos that Fine and Ford would wear to some of the humiliating clothes Cooper would wear in disguise along with some stylish clothes that she and Rayna would wear.
Makeup artist Kati Jatkos and hair stylist Peter Gyongyosi do terrific work with the disguises that Cooper would wear including the different hairstyles along with one notable disguise for Ford. Visual effects supervisor William Mesa does wonderful work with some of the film‘s minimal visual effects that often involve some of the action scenes. Sound editors Beau Borders and Becky Sullivan do superb work with the sound from the way some of the fighting occurs as well as some of the social events and action scenes that the characters encounter. The film’s music by Theodore Shapiro does fantastic work with the film‘s music score as it is quite bombastic for its action scenes while going for something low-key for its comedic moments while music supervisor Erica Weis brings in a fun soundtrack filled with music that ranges from electronic, hip-hop, rock, and pop to bring in an air of excitement.
The casting by Zsolt Csutak does great work with the cast as it features notable small roles from Carlos Ponce and Will Yun Lee as a couple of CIA spies, Jessica Chaffin and Katie Dippold as a couple of CIA analysts who deal with rats and bats in their offices, Zach Woods as a guy putting something mysterious in Rayna’s cocktail, Mitch as a pilot named Colin (no it’s Frederick), Raad Rawi as Rayna’s dad, Michael McDonald as a CIA gadgets man who gives Cooper some unimpressive gadgets, Morena Baccarin as a beautiful CIA spy that Nancy mocks, Nargis Fakhri as an assassin that tries to kill Ford and Cooper, and Bjorn Gustafsson as a bodyguard of Rayna that Cooper would insult. Peter Serafinowicz is fantastic as the Italian spy Aldo who likes to sexually harass Cooper as he thinks she is the most beautiful woman in the world. Allison Janney is superb as CIA head Elaine Crocker where Janney plays it straight while being very cool and calling Cooper out early about her pink eye.
Bobby Cannavale is excellent as the playboy/dealer Sergio de Luca who brings a suave charm to his role as someone who just wants to cash in and sell weapons to the highest bidder. Jude Law is brilliant as Bradley Fine as a CIA agent that has a great working relationship with Cooper as he trusts her while being very good to her. Miranda Hart is amazing as Cooper’s friend Nancy as a CIA analyst who also wants to be a spy as she later joins Cooper in a mission where she gets to do some of the funniest things in the film. Rose Byrne is remarkable as Rayna Boyanov as a crime boss’ daughter who decides to create chaos while trying not to reveal the location of a nuclear weapon where she also has some funny moments with Cooper to show how alike they’re sort of are.
Jason Statham is phenomenal as Rick Ford as it’s a performance where Statham makes fun of the action film persona he’s known for and bring a lot of laughs. Most notably as he’s a guy that talks tough, acts tough, and is very tough but is also an idiot as he has no idea what he is doing half the time while being a risk to everything as it’s just one of the funniest performances ever. Finally, there’s Melissa McCarthy in an incredible performance as Susan Cooper where it’s not jut McCarthy being very funny in enduring all sorts of humility and intense physicality. It’s also in the way she brings a sense of heart into the character that makes her very endearing while not being afraid to show some guts as it is one of her finest performances.
Spy is a marvelous film from Paul Feig that features a winning performance from Melissa McCarthy. Armed with some very exciting and funny moments along with a strong supporting cast that includes scene-stealing performances from Rose Byrne, Miranda Hart, Jude Law, and a hilarious Jason Statham. It’s a film that isn’t just a smart spoof of the spy films but also one that manages to be very funny and extremely entertaining. In the end, Spy is a sensational film from Paul Feig.
Paul Feig Films: (I Am David) - (Unaccompanied Minors) - (Bridesmaids) - (The Heat) - Ghostbusters (2016 film)
© thevoid99 2015
