Posted by Cassandra on June 12, 1997 at 11:12:28:
In reply to Re: Emma 2 and the book posted by Katariina on June 12, 1997 at 10:20:48
] The most irritating scene for me is definetly the one in which they pick strawberrys at Box Hill. It wouldn't bother me at all if Box Hill didn't exist, but as it is, I find it ridiculous. There are NO strawberrys at Box Hill. At least not the kind you grow in a garden.
Well, I wasn't exactly concentrating on the shocking inclusion of strawberries at Box Hill..Rather, I was swept away by the powerful emotions of that scene: Sophie Thompson's subtle underplaying "I see what she means..I will try and hold my tongue..". Brillina tmove on McGrath's part having Mr. Knightley speak first-offer Miss Bates his arm. Its not in the book-but so in keeping with his character and spirit-you could almost swear it was. The Box Hill scene in Emma2 is a perfect example of why this film works. NO adaptation is ever going to be letter faithful. Granted, more Jane/Frank and those delicious Mr. Knightley/Mrs E scenes would have been an asset. But-a book is more than just a string of scenes. It has a tone, a spirit. And why I fell in love with Emma2 was because for me, McGrath succeeded in capturing that spirit. Again-Box Hill is a perfect example. I never ceased to be amazed at the depth and understanding Jeremy/Gwyneth/McGrath brought to that scene. Even without the blunder puzzle scene,
Northam never comes across as just jealous vis-a-vis Frank. In a matter of seconds, JN with his voice/body language/facial expressions manages to convey deep anger, fear, hurt.. The way he varied his reading on the second badly done(incredibly effective-that tortured whisper) and his pacing: The way he pauses, turns, shoulders slumping, using the stick as support...before the all crucial and revealing "I must tell you the truths while I still can.." This is great acting/direction. Watching that scene I felt the same way I did when I read the book: Here is a man deeply in love who believes that Emma is going to marry Frank, is under his influence-and he is at a loss as to what to do. And GP was truly heartbreaking in that scene-her tearful reaction expressing Emma's mortification.."Never had she felt so agitated, mortified, grieved..."