Netflix 'eerie' biopic about iconic British author leaves fans 'breathless'
The 2022 British biographical period drama Emily offers a part-fictional glimpse into the life of Emily Brontë, the literary icon
The 2022 British biographical period drama Emily offers a fictionalised insight into the life of the celebrated author Emily Brontë.
Emma Mackey takes on the role of the renowned writer in the film, which marks Frances O'Connor's directorial debut, having also written the screenplay. The movie explores a romantic relationship between the English novelist and a clergyman named William Weightman.
Boasting a talented cast, including Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Fionn Whitehead, Amelia Gething, Alexandra Dowling, Gemma Jones, and Adrian Dunbar, Emily premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.
The film, available on Netflix, earned Emma Mackey the 2023 BAFTA Rising Star award for her portrayal of the titular character. Speaking to Harper's Bazaar in 2023, Emma noted: "If you wanna watch a documentary about the Brontës, there are loads and they're great. But this is a story and an interpretation. You just kind of have to roll with it."
Reflecting on her collaboration with Frances O'Connor on her directorial debut, the Sex Education star discussed her experience: "It's great. This story meant a lot to her. She was very involved in everything and is very sensitive to a lot of things. It was really great to have her live the film with you. We had all this rehearsal time before, which I thought was really rare.", reports the Mirror US.
"We don't usually get that on films, so to have those two weeks in the run-up to the actual shooting of the film was kind of a luxury. And it meant that we all had time to bond as well. The castmates all lived in a house together, so they were kind of holding me together in the end 'cause I needed them for support. They were just so brilliant. Everyone was banding together."
With an 87 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score, Emily has garnered widespread praise from critics and audiences alike.
One critic said: "A film that doesn't want to be bound - much like its central character - to one genre or one overall conceit. And that lifts Emily far above other recent, more staid and comfortable biopics."
Another lauded the director's work, saying: "Frances O'Connor makes a striking directorial debut with a provocatively revisionist biography of Emily Brontë."
Emma Mackey's portrayal was singled out by a reviewer who said: "Emma Mackey is utterly magnetic."
Indeed, the cinematic depiction of Emily Brontë's life has been met with enthusiasm from both critics and fans, particularly Emma Mackey's performance.
One critic extolled the film as "a bold and audacious retelling of Emily Brontë's life starring an uncommonly compelling Emma Mackey," while another described it as "A well-researched and atmospheric speculative biopic of Emily Brontë with the exquisite Emma Mackey in the title role. There's certainly an eerie gothic touch that's in line with Wuthering Heights."
Mirroring the critics, the film's reception from audiences was equally enthusiastic. One viewer expressed a rekindled affection for English literary classics: "Wonderful film. Used to love these old English literary classic kind of films in my teens/early 20s but thought I grew out of them. This has definitely reignited the love. In my early 30s now and this was just brilliant."
Another audience member heaped praise on the cinematic piece: "This is a beautifully imagined portrait of Emily Bronte. It is apparently a fictionalized account designed to illustrate and explain a genius who lived far from the cultural and literary centres of England, but who nonetheless succeeded in writing one of the most epic and well-read English novels. I found this characterization enchanting and captivating. The script, acting, and cinematography are outstanding. I found the movie beautiful and fascinating!".
For others, the film was an awe-inspiring encounter, with one viewer exclaiming: "All I can say is... Wow!".
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