I Fell In Love with Mr. Knightley Last Night

I will admit it. I've never really liked Emma as story. It's the truth. I always felt she was bratty and a little vain. While I, of course, appreciate the humor and comedic moments, I just never fell in love with the characters. . . until I watched this little gem with von Chrisersons last night. This little number was just released by BBC UK and will be coming out on DVD in America in February. (I have no idea why it is taking so long; I mean, it is the digital age. Wouldn't it just take a tappity tap tap of the ole computer and convert this into a region-free disc? I always feel like this delay is a little jail sentence the British like to pass, just to punish all who are not British. Those dratted English!) Any way, in this film Johnny Lee Miller is an absolute dream as the practical, patient, opinionated Mr. Knightley--wonderfully full of angst, a bit of jealousy, and good, noble intentions. Emma was likeable, even loveable. You see why she does what she does, and how she develops and learns. You see how her worldview has been colored by her doting, but very overprotective father, who never let her out of his sight. You see why Mr. Knightley lectures her and what behaviors she exhibits around Mr. Frank Churchill that he abhors. And they argue. a lot. Delicious, frustration-tinged argue. It's wonderful. I also love that you are given more access to Jane Fairfax and Harriet Smith and especially Miss Bates. You see her perpetually optimistic chatter as a means of warding off the insufferable loneliness and hopeliness of her situation, making Emma's mockery all the more potent and hurtful. Her preoccupation with Jane's accomplishments are a way to comfort and to assure her that she and her mother did the right thing in sending her away, giving her wonderful opportunities (and that those opportunities might one day be a way out of penury for herself and her mother). As Miss Bates chatters, Mrs. Bates falls more and more silent--the one trying to balance out the other. All characters evolves; you see it. Harriet is sweet and innocent. Mrs. Elton is snobbish and bossy. It is a wonderful, wonderful adaptation, both comedic and dramatic and especially romantic.

Now, von Chrisersons ordered this from trusty amazon.co.uk since it has not been released in the good ole US of A, so we were forced (Forced!) to huddle over her laptop for four hours which plays region 2 DVDs. If you don't have a DVD player that plays region 2 or you don't want to huddle, preorder your copy on Amazon.com for its release in February. It is totally worth it!