Emma Smith: My Story

Like the summary says, some reviewers need to just shut up. If you did not like the movie then tell us why, don't waist our time with worthless rants. It was made by independent film people who focused on what THEY wanted too. Do you go on the Harry Potter review and rant about why magic is not real and talk about scientific theory to try and prove it wrong? No. because IT DOESN'T MATTER! If you are a member of the LDS church and it increases your faith as you enjoyed the movie then great. cause I notice that they are pointing out parts of the MOVIE they like. this is a MOVIE review not a random blog for you make unneeded comments. I thought the movie was a good story and I enjoyed it, It wasn't my favorite movie and I don't intend on owning it hence the 7 not a 10. but I did enjoy it.

I found the film to be truly uplifting. It's amazing to see the challenges that Emma and Joseph went through and found the faith and strength to endure. This film elevated my opinion of Emma Smith and confirmed the love that she and her husband shared. It's hard to fit a life into two hours, but so many key points were touched on, handled well and the time goes by fast. Emma Smith's strength was truly shown here, or more accurately, how she found it. The film also portrays well the tenderness and sweetness of the family's relationships. Photography and acting were excellent and the film left me wanting to know more about their lives. Using the format of an interview between Emma and her adopted daughter brought in an excellent connection for those with a naturally skeptical or challenging views which were answered well by Emma herself. A very tastefully done movie. Thank you to those who made it happen.

I really wasn't planning on seeing this movie, because I haven't always been impressed with the movies about LDS subjects put out by others besides the LDS church. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the entire movie. It was done in such a way that it kept one's interest, and also showed the depth of feeling that Emma must have had in her life with Joseph Smith. I thought it revealed the anguish that she felt in his suffering and her compassion for Joseph and their children. It also showed the happiness and intimacy they shared as a married couple. It touched on all the important issues that would have affected Emma. I thought the polygamy issue was handled well, in that not a lot is known about what went on at the time, and many of the stories that have been told about Joseph and polygamy are untrue or exaggerated. In the movie, Emma did say that it was the hardest thing they had to deal with, and I imagine it was. I'm not sure anymore could be truthfully portrayed, considering the controversial nature of the subject. I loved the musical score -- especially how the old hymns were scored. The cinematography was professional. As a woman, I thought the movie an appropriate portrayal of a wife, daughter, mother, and woman of faith.

First off, it should be noted that this film was not made by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is an independent film which was promoted by the Joseph Smith and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society. The producers did contact the church history department for some information, and were given special access to and permission to use historic materials and documents owned by the church, but that is as far as their influence extends. They also worked with descendants of Joseph and Emma, as a means of trying to understand the character of the people involved. Whether or not you are a member of the church, the movie portrays a touching story of love and faith, and serves as an excellent source of understanding for much of the early history of the Mormon movement.

Technically, the film is beautifully made. The director has a genuine gift for the craft of cinematography, and it is well demonstrated in the beautiful visuals seen in this movie. The costumes, locales and all the visual elements really allow the audience to get a feel for the times and places depicted. A special nod must be given to the writers as well. The development of the story is well thought out, and the highlights that were picked to depict the progression of events were well chosen. This could not have been easy given the scope of the material to cover, and much had to be left out for the sake of time.

I do feel, reading one of the reviews posted here that some criticism needs to be made. Inaccurate rumors, slanders, incomplete or out of context information, and outright lies have long been the fate of Joseph Smith and the Mormons. That type of commentary is not a review of the movie or its merits. This movie does not claim to depict everything that occurred, nor to take sides on the divisive issues. One of the film's producers put it this way, "The film doesn't attempt to treat every aspect of early LDS history in a technically accurate way, he said, including scenes where Joseph Smith is translating the Book of Mormon. "We're looking to portray Emma's role in those events, her beliefs and convictions," rather than tackling "certain issues that just are too complicated to present in a film format." (Mike Kennedy) I believe that this film succeeds in this goal. While Emma remained behind when the main body of the church left Nauvoo, to her dying day she defended Joseph and expressed her love and affection for him.

The issue of plural marriage was a difficult and divisive issue then as now, and Emma said very little on the subject. She eventually became a member of the Reorganized Church,(now known as the Community of Christ) and spent the rest of her life in Nauvoo, where she is buried next to Joseph in the family cemetery.

One of the most important things that this film does, is open a window on the personality and character of these two highly influential and amazing people. It does not matter whether or not you believe in the doctrinal issues of the Mormon faith, you get to see some of the reasons for what they did, and you get to see Emma and Joseph as individuals who lived and breathed and laughed and cried, and loved each other, and not as untouchable names in a history book.

The reason for my poor review has less to do with the technical quality of the film than with its content. Actually, it's fairly well made for a straight to DVD historical biopic. It's simply not a very accurate account of Mormon history. The reasons for anti-Mormon sentiment in Missouri and elsewhere isn't mentioned at all, and polygamy is only mentioned in passing. Not a single one of Joseph Smith's 25+ other wives is even mentioned, nor is the 5000 man strong Nauvoo Legion or Smith's attempts to establish a theocratic dictatorship everywhere he went.

I know a lot of Mormons, and they are almost universally nice and respectable people. I just wish for once that they would own up to their somewhat sordid past.