Seeing EMMA SMITH: MY STORY in the theatre was a pleasant surprise! Who would have ever thought the time would come when a commercial theatre would be offering such an inspiring film as this one turns out to me. Professional on every level with special praise going to T.C. Christensen's magnificent cinematography, Merrill Jenson's perfect score (one that I hope comes out on CD), down to Sheri Ohman's outstanding costumes. Technically, in every way, this has a look that matches anything to come out of Hollywood. The performances, especially by Katherine Thompson (as the young Emma Hale Smith), Patricia Place (marvelous as the older Emma), and Nathan Mitchell as Joseph Smith, make flesh and blood people of Joseph Smith Jr. and Emma Hale who became his wife. There is a special feeling and beauty in seeing the restoration of the gospel told through the eyes of the woman who was called on to endure so much. This is a faith promoting experience that deeply touched me almost from the moment it started. The quality of the film matches that of the films produced and shown by the LDS Church (and that's saying a great deal), but has the advantage of a longer running time to explore and develop the love between Jospeh and Emma then could be done with limitations of a shorter running time. Gary Cook and T.C. Christensen have teamed up as directors and have been inspired to create a motion picture that I found to be truly inspiring! This is one of the finest films that I have ever experienced.
