Emma

Rating:
Summary: Infinitely Rewatchable
Review: The first time I saw this movie was when it was released in theaters back in 1996. I thought it was quite enjoyable and my husband and a guy friend who saw it with us, enjoyed it as well. However, after watching it, I never really thought about it again.

About a year ago, however, I rented it and just fell in love with it. After re-renting it so many times, I finally went ahead and bought the DVD. Frankly, I don't quite understand how I missed how great this movie was the first time. I suspect it might have been Austen overload, as 1995-96 was right around the time that when Austenmania gripped Hollywood. Anyhow, I can't say enough about how much fun this movie is and how infinitely re-watchable it is. The acting by the entire cast, from Gwyneth Paltrow to Jeremy Northam, Toni Collette, to Sophie Thompson and Phylidda Law, is simply superb. Gwyneth is much better here than she was (IMO) in Shakespeare in Love. It's hard to take your eyes off her; her Emma just so funny -- supremely confident in always knowing what's right for everyone and, to her and no one else's amazement, invariably is always proved wrong. Jeremy Northam is also wonderful as Mr. Knightley. Austen's Knightley in the book is so gentlemanly and perfect that he can almost be a cipher. Northam however allows us to see into Mr. Knightley's psyche as he battles with Emma and her machinations, and his own exasperation, anger, jealousy and lust. His body language and eyes convey it all. Although Toni Collette is a bit of a miscast because she visually doesn't match Austen's Harriet, she redeems herself admirably by being so lovably dim that you can't help but wish her the happy ending she deserves. And Sophie Thompson is just perfect: funny and heartbreaking.

Although I agree with other reviewers that this version of Emma is not perfect (it loses some of Austen's sense of irony, just drops the ball on the Frank and Jane subplot, and never really let's you get too mad at Emma, who frankly deserves it), I think it makes up for it with the sheer joy, beauty, humor and romance of it all. To put it another way: As an adaptation, I'd rank it as 3-1/2 stars; as a movie, I give 5 stars plus! It's just wonderful moviemaking.

Rating:
Summary: Emma : An Old English Romantic Comedy with Secretive Twists
Review: The movie Emma, directed by Douglas McGrath, is a delightful romantic comedy based on the 1816 Jane Austen novel by the same name. The movie contains an abundance of irony and comedy. In addition, this story is filled with love triangles, hidden romances, false assumptions, love vs. hate, anger vs. forgiveness, truthfulness, friendship, humiliation and a happy ending. This story is based around a single character, Emma Woodhouse. Being the youngest daughter and left alone with her praising father, Emma grew up to be a fine and kind lady, with an inkling of matchmaking her friends and a vain perception of herself. Emma decides to befriend a local woman, Harriet Smith. Emma takes Harriet under her wing and turns her into a lady of society. Emma's matchmaking talents soon persuade her to set Harriet up with the local reverend, Mr. Elton. Harriet falls in love with Mr. Elton while Emma tries to make their affections mutual. This all fails when Mr. Elton reveals his true affections for the lovely Miss Woodhouse instead. When Emma denies her love for Mr. Elton, he leaves the countryside and marries a pompous and talkative city woman. Emma tries her matchmaking skills again when trying to set up the son of her friends Mr. and Mrs. Weston with Harriet. Mr. Frank Churchill, the son, is a friendly and vivacious man who befriends both Emma and Harriet. Throughout Emma's matchmaking ordeal, her long time friend, Mr. Knightley, repeatedly tells Emma to stop her medalling in other people's business. Despite Emma's thought perfection by all the characters, she is really put in her place at the picnic on Box Hill. Emma mocks the annoying and boring Miss Bates in front of all the other characters. Mr. Knightley then scolds her afterwards. This is a turning point for Emma. She now realizes that she may not be as kind and perfect as she once thought. Another realization comes over Emma when she recognizes that her feelings for Mr. Knightley are more than just friendship; she is in love with him. Her love is then tested when Harriet reveals to Emma that she is too in love with Mr. Knightley. But Emma does not reveal her true feelings to Harriet. Mr. Knightley leaves the countryside to visit his family in the city. Emma feels lost because Mr. Knightley left before she could speak to him and Miss Bates and Mrs. Elton are ignoring her because of her actions at the picnic. Finally, Mr. Knightley returns. He confides in Emma that he felt she had affections for Frank Churchill. But Frank actually had affection for the niece, Jane Fairfax, of Miss Bates; their engagement was a secret and a shock to society. Mr. Knightley also confesses that this made him jealous because of his love for Emma. Emma rejoices in this news, and the two become engaged. Harriet herself becomes engaged to her past beau, Mr. Martin. The story ends well with both women engaged and the whole of the town is happy. I truly enjoyed this movie. The authentic costumes and genuine way the actors spoke really made the movie realistic. Gwyneth Paltrow truly made the character of Emma come to life. Her facial expressions and innocent yet prying voice made her the flawless and perfect lady Emma sets to achieve. The story line keeps the audience interested with its twists, secrets and revealing of affections. The movie starts simple, with the center on its main character Emma, then expands to encompass the whole of all the characters, and ends with the resolution of all problems. I recommend this movie to anyone who needs a quick fix of romance or who likes movies with old English comedy or who enjoys to watch a movie full of destruction and chaos come together in the end.

Rating:
Summary: Emma is missing in Emma
Review: Dreadful adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma. The book deserves far, far better -- perhaps a mini-series like the wonderful versions of P&P, or a more talented screenwriter such as Thompson's S&S. The Paltrow Emma is paltry, leaving out critical scenes, and then inserting strange ones (what is that harvest scene doing at the end, anyway).

Rating:
Summary: Matchmaker, Matchmaker...
Review: For some reason, film and Jane Austen are a winning combination. I can think of few classic authors who have been so well served by movie adaptations. This version of "Emma" is yet another success.

All of the necessary ingredients for a period film are here. Glorious houses, extravagant costumes and a dashing cast are all used to good effect. A special note is Ewan McGregor, demonstrating his singing chops long before "Moulin Rouge." He plays a fine rake. Gwyneth Paltrow does good service to Emma Woodhouse, balancing between silly snob and well-meaning, vulnerable girl. Jeremy Northamis a perfect Mr. Knightley and Toni Collette (Muriel's Wedding, Sixth Sense) is excellent as Harriet.

The DVD is bare bones, but the presentation is nice enough. All in all, and excellent addition to a Jane Austen film library. Good fun.

Rating:
Summary: Gwyneth IS "Emma"
Review: Romance is in the air and love is in bloom in Victorian era England, in this light-hearted story set against a society in a time in which manners were still in vogue, the ladies were charming and elegant, and the gentlemen dashing. "Emma," based on the novel by Jane Austen and written for the screen and directed by Douglas McGrath, stars the lovely Gwyneth Paltrow in the title role. A self-appointed matchmaker, Emma takes great delight in the romantic notion of playing Cupid and attempting to pair up those she feels are suited to one another. Coming off a successful matching that ended in marriage, she next sets her sights on finding a mate for her friend, Harriet (Toni Collette), but the outcome of her initial attempt proves to be less than satisfying. Meanwhile, her endeavors are tempered by by the handsome Mr. Knightley (Jeremy Northam), whose insights into matters of the heart often seem to be a bit more astute than Emma's, and lend some needed balance to the proceedings. And Emma, so concerned with what is right for others, neglects the heart that is actually the most important of all: Her own. The world goes 'round and love abounds, but Emma is about to miss the boat. Luckily for her, however, the is someone just right for her waiting in the wings. Now, if she can but stop long enough to realize it. But as everyone who has known true love knows, matters of the heart can go right or wrong in an instant, depending upon the slightest thing; and while romance is at hand for Emma, she must first recognize it, and seize the moment.

McGrath has crafted and delivered a delightful, feel-good film that is like a breath of fresh air in our often turbulent world. There may be an air of frivolity about it, but in retrospect, this story deals with something that is perhaps the most important thing there is-- in all honesty-- to just about anyone: Love. And with McGrath's impeccable sense of pace and timing, it all plays out here in a way that is entirely entertaining and enjoyable. It's a pleasant, affecting film, with a wonderful cast, that successfully transports the viewer to another time and another place. It's light fare, but absorbing; and the picturesque settings and proceedings offer a sense of well-being and calm that allows you to immerse yourself in it and simply go with the flow.

The winsome Paltrow, who won the Oscar for best actress for "Shakespeare In Love" two years after making this one, seems comfortable and right at home in this genre. She personifies all things British, and does it with such naturalness and facility that it's the kind of performance that is easily taken for granted or overlooked altogether. She's simply so good at what she does and makes it look so easy. She has a charismatic screen presence and an endearing manner, very reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn. Yet Paltrow is unique. As an actor, she has a wide range and style and has demonstrated-- with such films as "Hard Eight," "Hush" and "A Perfect Murder"-- that she can play just about any part effectively, and with that personal touch that makes any role she plays her own. But it's with characters like Emma that she really shines. She is so expressive and open, and her personality is so engaging, that she is someone to whom it is easy to relate and just a joy to watch, regardless of the part she is playing. And for Emma, she is absolutely perfect.

Jeremy Northam also acquits himself extremely well in the role of Knightley, and like Paltrow, seems suited to the genre-- in the right role, that is; his performance in the more recent "The Golden Bowl," in which he played an Italian Prince, was less than satisfying. Here, however, he is perfect; he is handsome, and carries himself in such a way that makes Knightley believable and very real. Like Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy in the miniseries "Pride and Prejudice," Northam has created a memorable character with his own Mr. Knightley.

Also excellent in supporting roles and worthy of mention are Toni Collette, as Emma's friend Harriet Smith; and Alan Cumming, as the Reverend Elton. Respectively, Collette and Cumming create characters who are very real people, and as such become a vital asset to the overall success of this film. And it demonstrates just how invaluable the supporting players are in the world of the cinema, and to films of any genre.

The supporting cast includes Greta Scacchi (Mrs. Weston), Denys Hawthorne (Mr. Woodhouse), Sophie Thompson (Miss Bates), Kathleen Byron (Mrs. Goddard), Phyllida Law (Mrs. Bates), Polly Walker (Jane Fairfax) and Ewan McGregor (Frank Churchill). An uplifting, elegant film, "Emma" is a reminder of civilized behavior and the value of gentleness and grace in a world too often beset with unpleasantness. And even if it's only through the magic of the silver screen, it's nice to be able to escape to such a world as this, if only for a couple of hours, as it fulfills the need for that renewal of faith in the human spirit. And that's the magic of the movies.

Rating:
Summary: Love the movie, but DVD edition is a disappointment
Review: This film version of "Emma" absolutely captures the light, confectionary feel of the Regency period in romances. Others have raved about the pitch-perfect performances of most of the principals, so I won't say more except to agree! I will add that the production and costume design in this film is simply a visual delight. The movie thrives on repeated viewings because there's always something new to discover in each scene, be it a meaningful side-glance between Knightley and Emma or a detail in the design of a garden folly.
The DVD edition is woefully sparse on extras, including only the theatrical trailer plus trailers for other Miramax films. You can't tell me that on a film made as late as 1996 there weren't any production stills or taped commentary, or anything? Heck, for a movie this visually beautiful, I would have liked to see design drawings or storyboards, at least! I'd give this review five stars if there'd been any extras on the DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Light and enjoyable
Review: 1996 saw two excellent adaptation of Emma--the BBC version, and this one. While the television version has a sharper sense of humour, this is the more enjoyable of the two films. Gwyneth Paltrow is charming as Emma, she makes you appreciate the characters faults without making you actually hate the character. Jeremy Northam is very dashing and charismatic as Mr. Knightley, so it's easy to forgive the fact that he is far, far too young (he's supposed to be 16 years older than her, and looks, 5, tops). Other standouts in the cast are the ever-oily Alan Cummings as the very oily Mr. Elton, and Sophie Thompson, who brings her brilliant comic timing to the role of Miss Bates (real life mother Phyllida Law is along for the ride as the practically comatose Mrs. Bates). Less successful is Toni Collette, whose Harriet Smith is incredibly annoying as she is over-the-top silly, and drags the rest of the cast's more delicate approach into near-slapstick.
However, that's a small qualm for so enjoyable a film, the type you watch many times, whenever you need a break.

Rating:
Summary: Wished there had been more of Jeremy Northam!
Review: Our society has lost a great deal, with its sex revolutions, and easy, or nonexistent manners. Wrap yourself, for a brief respite, in a genteel society. Experience the romantic allurement of beautiful clothing. Watch the graceful, dignified dances and parties where courtship had a chance to grow slowly, and perhaps more solidly. Follow Emma's match-making mistakes and failures, when she doesn't know her own mind. I yearned for more of Jeremy Northam, and especially his dancing. This man is beautiful to see. As well, Ms. Paltrow was always captivating.

Rating:
Summary: Tries Too Hard To Be Sunny
Review: Jane Austen's EMMA is one of my favorite books so I was really happy when I received this DVD for my birthday.

Twenty-one year old Emma Woodhouse is, I think, one of Austen's most controversial heroines. She's a little less sympathetic than the others because she's so strong-willed, a meddler and she really has far too much time on her hands with little to do. On the other hand, Emma is probably the most intelligent heroine Austen ever created. Emma is, at heart, a good person and her "faults" really only serve to make her more interesting, at least to me, than the sweeter and lighter Elizabeth Bennet.

Emma loves matchmaking. In fact, she firmly believes that "there is nothing more beautiful than a match well made." But, just because Emma loves matchmaking doesn't mean her attempts are always "well made." She did a good job when she married her governess to a lonely widower, but her attempts at linking her "plain Jane" friend, Harriet Smith, with the local vicar aren't going as smoothly. And, not everyone approves of Emma's attempts to see everyone around her married. Chief among the dissenters is Knightley, one of Emma's male friends (yes, defying the social conventions of the times, Emma did have male friends).

Gwyneth Paltrow plays Emma wonderfully and, this was one of her earlier roles. I never pictured the character of Emma looking anything at all like Paltrow, but, for me, she really brought Emma alive. Surprisingly, Paltrow delivers all of Emma's biting wit with total believability except for her accent, which I found a little "off." It wasn't so "off," however, that it ruined the film for me. Far from it.

Toni Collette seems perfect as the plain Harriet Smith and Jeremy Northam is wonderful as Knightley. Alan Cumming as Reverend Elton and Sophie Thompson as Miss Bates also seemed perfect choices for their roles, especially Thompson. Ewan McGregor shines as Frank Churchill.

I thought the weakest link of EMMA was Douglas McGrath's screenplay. It's slow to start and a bit overly long (due to the laborious slow start) and, far more importantly, it lacks the depth found in Austen's book. It seemed to me as though McGrath wanted something lighter, sunnier, funnier, than the book and he achieved that, but hardcore Austen fans, like me, might be a little disappointed. After all, EMMA, though containing plenty of wit and high comedy, also has dark and biting undertones and it's these dark and biting overtones that McGrath did not, for the most part, include in his screenplay.

EMMA contains not one, but five, marriages, but don't think this is a genre romance. It's way too good for that. Although romance abounds in EMMA, so do social commentary, wit and genuine sophistication. I don't think it's the equal of the sumptuous PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (the book or the A&E film adaptation), which, by the way, is far sunnier, but EMMA will still delight any fan of Austen's and I highly recommend it highly. Even though it's not the equal of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and even though I did find the darker undertones missing, I still think EMMA is good enough to warrant five stars. It's far, far better than 99% of the "junk" out there. EMMA is, for any fan of Austen, a DVD to own, rather than to rent.

Rating:
Summary: Love the movie, but DVD edition is a disappointment
Review: This film version of "Emma" absolutely captures the light, confectionary feel of the Regency period in romances. Others have raved about the pitch-perfect performances of most of the principals, so I won't say more except to agree! I will add that the production and costume design in this film is simply a visual delight. The movie thrives on repeated viewings because there's always something new to discover in each scene, be it a meaningful side-glance between Knightley and Emma or a detail in the design of a garden folly.
The DVD edition is woefully sparse on extras, including only the theatrical trailer plus trailers for other Miramax films. You can't tell me that on a film made as late as 1996 there weren't any production stills or taped commentary, or anything? Heck, for a movie this visually beautiful, I would have liked to see design drawings or storyboards, at least! I'd give this review five stars if there'd been any extras on the DVD.