Review of Jane and Emma

JANE AND EMMA may be a low budget production but it has a lot of creative strengths that make this an exceptional exploration of two strong women in the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Danelle Deadwyler brings great strength to the role of Jane Manning James, a black woman who after joining the Church desires to meet the prophet Joseph Smith (well played by Brad Schmidt) and in doing so becomes a close friend of his wife Emma Hale Smith (Emily Goss). The film focuses on Jane spending the night with Emma following the murder of Joseph and his brother Hyrum. During the course of the night Emma struggles with the feeling that her request for Joseph to return to Nauvoo led to his death while Jane wonders what her place as a black woman in the restored Church is. Deadwyler and Gross give powerful performances with a script by Melissa Leilani Larson that gives the viewer a great deal to think about and ponder. One of the greatest strengths of this film is the superb cinematography by Wesley Johnson which masterfully uses creative close-ups in the wide screen format. The lighting of the Nauvoo house at night by candlelight seems real. The musical score is extremely effective. JANE AND EMMA raises the bar as to what can be done with limited funds and a great deal of creativity. Most of this creativity from the directing and screenplay and the performances has come from women.