Adaptation - (2009 BBC version)
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This 2009 adaptation of the Jane
Austen classic Emma directed by Jim
O’Hanlon was wonderfully done. The movie was extremely well-cast and the
filmmakers worked very hard to accurately portray Emma as closely to the book as possible; everything from the
costumes to the sets felt perfect and was almost exactly how I had imagined them
in my head while reading the book. Romola Garai’s portrayal of Emma Woodhouse
was excellent. She was able to accurately convey the character of Emma; she was
able to make her as selfish and bossy but still lovable which is key for an accurate
portrayal of the character Emma. Michael Gambon's portrayal of Mr. Woodhouse is so charming and endearing that the viewer can't help but love him in this role, just as viewers across the world have loved him as Professor Dumbledore in the Harry Potter franchise.
Throughout the movie there was a heavy emphasis on class/social status and accomplishment. Throughout the movie every attempt of Emma’s to set up her friend Harriet Smith with either Mr. Elton was frowned upon by Mr. Knightly because of Harriet’s low social status. Whenever Jane Fairfax is mentioned around Emma she seems to instantly become slightly hostile towards Jane, seemingly because she is jealous of how much more accomplished Jane is than her. I would highly recommend this version of Emma.
To know more about the historical background of Jane Austen’s world, check the section Background Information in our website.
Throughout the movie there was a heavy emphasis on class/social status and accomplishment. Throughout the movie every attempt of Emma’s to set up her friend Harriet Smith with either Mr. Elton was frowned upon by Mr. Knightly because of Harriet’s low social status. Whenever Jane Fairfax is mentioned around Emma she seems to instantly become slightly hostile towards Jane, seemingly because she is jealous of how much more accomplished Jane is than her. I would highly recommend this version of Emma.
To know more about the historical background of Jane Austen’s world, check the section Background Information in our website.
Modernization - Clueless (1995)
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I
believe that Clueless is a good modernization of the novel Emma
because it reflects each of the characters as they originally were portrayed.
Of course there were small details that were changed but the movie Clueless
gave an interesting flare to the novel. It really put the emphasis on the fact
that Cher (Emma) has been well off since birth, and that she had everything she
could ask for except for love. She was so stuck on being the match maker for
others that she didn’t feel like anyone could be up to her standards. In the
novel Emma, Emma was of the same character, being that she was so wound
up in fixing up other people that she couldn’t realize when someone was
interested in her. She had to learn that money isn’t everything and that even
though she could support herself, true love was the one thing that money
couldn’t buy.
This was a good adaptation because it allows an avenue for teens today to get into the story, because it is set in a high school. People who view the movie may not be of a high class standing but they can relate to the high school actions of the actors in the movie. It touched on the main points of the novel. It talked about how education is definitely a part of the learning process as Cher grows into a better person. It discusses the family and relationships that are formed and maintained in the novel. Specifically it focused on the relationship of Cher and Tai (Emma and Harriet) and how even though they are complete opposites in class they still are able to be friends. Cher wants what’s best for Tai, but she keeps Tai from being with the guy that loves and cares for her by trying to put her together with someone that is wealthier. She eventually sees that Tai isn’t happy and learns that true love doesn’t have to be based on money because money can’t buy happiness.
I think that the change of the time frame from 18th century to the 20th century was a great change because it allows you to see class consciousness of the past that is still present today. We may not go around saying yes Sir, Madame, lady, mister, etc. all the time, but we do have a sense of respect and we treat others accordingly. When one is born into wealth they tend to have a higher standard of living and others have high expectations of them. So as they grow up and expand their knowledge they tend to have the same expectations of others, but they have to learn that everyone is different. People who are born into a lower status have to realize that they are not beneath people because they don’t have money, land, and power, but that they have to work hard and earn that respect and possibly gain a higher status as they grow.
To know more about the historical background of Jane Austen’s world, check the section Background Information in our website.
This was a good adaptation because it allows an avenue for teens today to get into the story, because it is set in a high school. People who view the movie may not be of a high class standing but they can relate to the high school actions of the actors in the movie. It touched on the main points of the novel. It talked about how education is definitely a part of the learning process as Cher grows into a better person. It discusses the family and relationships that are formed and maintained in the novel. Specifically it focused on the relationship of Cher and Tai (Emma and Harriet) and how even though they are complete opposites in class they still are able to be friends. Cher wants what’s best for Tai, but she keeps Tai from being with the guy that loves and cares for her by trying to put her together with someone that is wealthier. She eventually sees that Tai isn’t happy and learns that true love doesn’t have to be based on money because money can’t buy happiness.
I think that the change of the time frame from 18th century to the 20th century was a great change because it allows you to see class consciousness of the past that is still present today. We may not go around saying yes Sir, Madame, lady, mister, etc. all the time, but we do have a sense of respect and we treat others accordingly. When one is born into wealth they tend to have a higher standard of living and others have high expectations of them. So as they grow up and expand their knowledge they tend to have the same expectations of others, but they have to learn that everyone is different. People who are born into a lower status have to realize that they are not beneath people because they don’t have money, land, and power, but that they have to work hard and earn that respect and possibly gain a higher status as they grow.
To know more about the historical background of Jane Austen’s world, check the section Background Information in our website.