Jane Austen's Emma

Rating:
Summary: Much better than Hollywood's version!
Review: I found this version to be much richer and more intelligent than that "other" Emma. Oh Excellent A&E!

Rating:
Summary: depends on what you are looking for
Review: If you are looking for pure entertainment, I think the Hollywood version is the one for you. It succeeds in accomplishing it's purpose, to merely provide an audience with a couple hours of mixed feelings. And the Hollywood version does a great job of that. I thought it was a great movie. However, if you are looking for a movie with a little more meat, go with this one. All the characters, particularly Emma, are much better developed and 3 dimensional in the A&E version. If you are looking for a movie that relates closely to what the author was trying to say, a movie that makes a statement about something, rather than providing mere entertainment, definely, go with the A&E version.

Rating:
Summary: In opposition ...
Review: I bought this DVD on the strength of several Amazon reviews that asserted it was "much better" than the Gwyneth Paltrow version. In fact I found it to be about the same quality in acting and not quite up to the Hollywood version in production values. Most importantly (contrary to the opinion expressed by one Amazon reviewer), it takes a good deal of license with Austen's original story. In particular, the hidden relationships and feelings that are essential to the story line are telegraphed by not so subtle glances and innuendo and several substantial changes to Austen's original. Since the story line in the novel is flawed, this could have been an improvement. In fact, the results are mixed.

Rating:
Summary: MUCH better than Paltrow version...
Review: I like Gwyneth Paltrow, but this version is simply better. Emma's love interest in this one (I can't recall his name), is letter-perfect, a hunk, stern, just-right. This is much lighter fare than P&P, but well-done. The scenery and the clothes are a delight. Samantha Morton is good too (she was also great in Jane Eyre). Recommended!!

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable with one glaring problem...
Review: I very much enjoyed this version of Emma - most of the characters were finely depicted, and some of the more exquisite plot details came through more strongly in this version than in the McGrath version with Gwyneth Paltrow (although that version had its merits as well). The glaring exception to this was Mark Strong's portrayal of Mr. Knightley. While Mr Strong had the stature to play Mr Knightley, his constant berating and harsh treatment of his errant sister-in-law was totally in contrast to the way Jane Austen portrayed his attitude toward Emma in the book. While Jeremy Northam may not have had the age or stature to play Mr Knightley, his firm but more gentle portrayal was more in line with the novel. This exception was annoying enough to me to give the film 3 stars where I might otherwise have given it a higher score.

Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: I expect the best from A&E and I am hardly ever disappointed, but I was with this adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma. I don't think the characterization was accurate at all! Every actor/actress was completely different than I had imagined them while reading the novel countless times. I hate to say it, but I think the Hollywood version was immensely better. Gwyneth Paltrow was the perfect Emma. I felt like this version lost so much of the irony and humor that the novel and Jane Austen are famous for. I do not recommend this version.

Rating:
Summary: True to the book , and an excellant film!
Review: This version of Emma is wonderful. It stays true to the original story completely, and a movie based on a Jane Austen novel must do that to be any good. Emma is the daughter of a wealthy man in good social status in the small town of Highbury. In the beginning her governess( Miss Taylor) is getting married to a man of great social stature. Emma had played matchmaker and considers the wedding her own achievement. Her friend Mr. Nightly tells her she simply made a lucky guess and nothing more. However her mind does not change and she is determined to find (the minister) Mr. Elton a bride as well. Her mind is made up when she meets sweet simple Miss Harriet Smith the natural daughter of someone and not that respectable. Once she and Harriet become friends, Harriet is proposed to by a farmer(from Mr. Nightly's estate)named Robert Martin. Emma convinces Harriet to refuse him because her is below her station. Nightly tells her she has not done her friend a service. Harriet is later rejected by Mr. Elton because he loves Emma. When Emma finds out she is shocked, and tells off Mr. Elton who storms away. He later marries a woman named Augusta for her money. Harriet eventually marries Robert Martin. Emma likes a man named Frank Churchill for a while ,but he was secretly betrothed to another girl(Jane Fairfax). Then she realises that the man for her is Nightly and marries him to live happily ever after. And we hope never to make another match.

Rating:
Summary: excellent
Review: I am new to Jane Austen and am collecting all I can find relating to this wonderful writer. This adaption of Emma is much better than the Gwyneth Paltrow movie. I had read so many different reviews, I wasn't sure what to expect, but A&E made the novel come alive for me. You won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: An adaptation without equal ...
Review: Usually, when one really loves a book, any adaptation, no matter how well made, pales in comparison with our own internal images of the characters, settings, anything and everything that makes the story come alive for us. This version, however, directed by Diarmuid Lawrence and with Kate Beckinsale's inestimable Emma, was absolutely stunning. I never imagined that any movie adaptation would mirror my own visual and intellectual interpretations so closely. Each performance, each location, each line of dialogue is exquisitely crafted and beautifully stylized. I can't praise it highly enough. Gwenyth who?...

Rating:
Summary: Minor Characters rule in this version of Emma
Review: I'm collecting movies based on Jane Austen books, and this version sticks to the book more than the others. Harriet is more the Harriet I pictured in the book, and Miss Bates is more like a real human than in the Paltrowized edition. However, Mr. Knightley in this movie looked kinda like an angry Jon Lovitz. The overall effect was pleasing; I felt like I was in England, not a magazine. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!