In spite of the film’s candy-colored sets and delicate finery, Autumn de Wilde’s adaptation of Emma. is as biting and acerbic a satire on class and privilege as you could want. Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance as the titular character is fantastic, and Emma is allowed to be an unlikeable protagonist whose journey of growth and self-discovery is believable, honest, and ultimately moving. Even the most ridiculous characters are revealed to have hidden depths and reservoirs of pain or heartbreak guiding their actions and behaviors. And de Wilde’s direction is stunning, with each frame richly composed – especially the head-on close-ups of characters which allow us to chart their every fleeting emotional change as it dances across their face. It’s an adaptation that proves Austen’s work is just as timely and relevant now as ever.