Emily
Warner Bros. PicturesFrances O'Connor’s Emily is surprisingly grand in scale while not showing the seams behind it all coming undone. The film showcases the life of the famous author from childhood until her untimely death without skipping too many beats. It does a fantastic job of digging into all of this whilst still looking absolutely gorgeous. Shot by one Nanu Segal, the feature is not afraid to show the lush landscapes surrounding her father's house. Landscapes that become home to her many secrets and rendezvous. From an unknown love affair to a lovely scene involving the beauty of nature intertwined with a psychedelic experience. All of this beauty is shot with a master’s hand and it shows.
Emma Mackey is an absolute showstopper as the film’s titular heroin and brings all of the grace, beauty, and heartbreak of Emily Bronte to the silver screen and proves her stake as a genuinely fantastic actress to keep your eyes on. This brings the fun to a biopic in a way that still feels real. Nothing in this feels like an unnecessary addition with every plot point still feeling as though it could be a part of this women's life. A lot of this comes down to an excellent screenplay and, of course, the aforementioned wonderful work done by Mackey. She is a force to be reckoned with and makes this a must-see.
While it could easy to dismiss this as a movie to catch on a smaller screen and possibly use that time to see one of the many blockbusters making their rounds. This film should not be counted out. It really does look amazing on the biggest screen possible and should be ultimately treated as such.
At the end of the day, this is a beautiful little film about the life and death of one of the most influential authors of all time. It was given the love and care necessary to be a worthwhile look into her life without coming off as offensive or gratuitous in any fashion. A highly watchable film that isn't afraid to make a few swings and is just as unafraid to miss a few of those as well. Lead by a strong performance and some excellent direction Emily is one to watch out for. Don't ever count out the little movies. You may come across something great.