Emily

Emma Mackey gives a strong performance as the central character in this drama; she is charismatic and beguiling, an emotional display (though at times this does stray into the histrionic). Whilst the director's intention is to provide a portrayal of the character and inspiration behind Emily Bronte, rather than a straight biopic, the amount of artistic licence used does undermine the credibility of the story. It is implied that the failed romance between Emily and the local curate provided the inspiration for Wuthering Heights, yet this romance did not happen; the characters in the story do not question the idea that the girls might want to become published writers - but society's prejudice at the time meant that they (and Mary-Anne Evans - George Eliot), all had to publish under male pseudonyms. Charlotte is portrayed as a prissy school ma'am - it's hard to imagine this person writing a classic like Jane Eyre. Ann, also a published novelist, is virtually written out of the story. It's a visually attractive film, but unconvincing, and ultimately, rather disappointing.

Emily is a real shame as it is a film that had some great promise but failed to engage me.

This is largely because I felt like I was never actually let behind the curtain, and was kept at a frustrating distance from the characters. I never got under the skin of Emily, or any of the Bronte's really, and left the film with far more questions than answers. For a biopic, even a highly embellished one, this is unforgivable.

Given what the film was trying to achieve and the angle it took, I was surprised by how little emotion was stirred in me. I wanted to feel more watching this film but just never felt like I was part of it.

This lack of connection and emotion wasn't helped by the fact that the colour palette (whilst appropriate) was very bleak, the runtime was quite unforgiving, and the acting was rarely noteworthy.

Unfortunately all this adds up to create an unremarkable film about a remarkable woman. Which in itself is an impressive feat I suppose.

This is is well-directed and well acted with beautiful photography. It is loosely based on Emily Bronte's life and depicts events which are mirrored in Wuthering Heights. It is not hard to find factual errors eg.it was Anne who had the relationship with William Weightman, but if you just treat as a story in its own right, it is a great piece of film-making. I was reminded that the films: Becoming Jane and Shakespeare in Love, were also about famous authors used failed romances as the impetus to write. I noticed that the first edition of her book had her own name inside the cover. Like her sisters she wrote under a pseudonym: Ellis Bell.

Emily is a great period drama that announces writer/director Frances O'Connor as someone with clear talent and one to watch and further proves lead actress Emma Mackey's burgeoning stardom with a story that's funny, tragic and full of natural beauty.

Emma Mackey gives a true tour de force performance, earnestly portraying Emily's shy nature and vivid imagination whilst also having an infectious rapport with Fionn Whitehead (great) and some truly fiery chemistry with Oliver Jackson-Cohen (also great).

Frances O'Connor's direction is excellent, utilising handheld camera work to great effect with some very stylish framing but it does overuse cutting to black. The music by Abel Korzeniowski is amazing, beautifully balancing moments of whimsy with a more classical score.

First. The things I liked: the music the costumes the fact that it was filmed in Haworth and roundabouts it's beautifully shot.

However, it veered so far away from anything known about about Emily's character or known facts about the Brontes as to be hilarious!

Snogging your employer's wife in church in Victorian Yorkshire? I don't think so!

Some events and even names lifted straight from Wuthering Heights and presented as real life.

The extremely reserved Emily transformed into a raving hysterical nutter with attachment issues.

Emily and Wuthering Heightskerp inspiring film makers, but anything that does do either justice remains sadly elusive.