Emma

Rating:
Summary: Emma is right on target...
Review: Pishposh! What is all this nonsense I read in the reviews of this movie that say it is not Jane Austen-y enough? What a bunch of garbledy-gook. This is a fantastic movie, superbly cast and well written. True, it is not as high-brow as the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice, but it is funny and infinitely more clever.
Gwenyth Paltrow is good as Emma. Her accent is easy to listen to, and her delivery is very natural. Jeremy Northam as Mr. Knightly (SIGH) is splendid. How any woman could watch this movie and not fall head over heels in love with "My Mr. Knightly" is beyond believing.
If you enjoy fun, clver movies, buy Emma. If you want something more high-brow and wrought with angst, get Mansfield Park or Pride and Prejudice.

Rating:
Summary: Emma
Review: I saw this movie before I read the book and loved it.
Now that I have read the book I notice a few discrepancies but they do not take away from the movie unless you are extremely into authenticity. The color in this version is superb especially compared to the A&E version. When comparing the two I definatley prefer this version. I think that Gwyneth Paltrow portays Emma's personality wonderfully; she matches the books description very, very well. I reccomend this version.

Rating:
Summary: "Oh wouldn't it be charming?"
Review: "Emma" was made during a spate of Jane Austen films and miniseries awhile back, and thankfully (except for the fiasco called "Mansfield Park") all of them have been fantastic. Gwyneth Paltrow provides some droll comic relief as the title heroine of the movie "Emma," proving that yes, she CAN act quite well.

Emma Woodhouse (Paltrow) is on a matchmaking rush after she successfully pairs her former governess to a rich widower. Convinced that she can make a good match for anybody, she sets out to pair her penniless, sweet-natured pal Harriet Smith (Toni Collette) with someone more elevated than a prosperous young farmer, such as the eager young minister, Mr. Elton (Alan Cumming). Problem is, Mr. Elton turns out to be in love with Emma, not Harriet.

More romantic complications ensue when a charming bad boy, Frank Churchill (Ewan McGregor in a bad wig) comes to the area and seems to be interested in Emma -- until Emma decides to pair him with Harriet. Emma's good-natured meddling continues unchecked, until it threatens her own happiness and her unspoken love.

"Emma" is probably the frothiest of Austen's novels; there aren't any big scandals or anything like that. Embarrassment is the big opponent in here, but Douglas McGrath has a good sense of how to use the droll humor to best advantage. This is definitely a comedy, except for one or two moments near the end; even there, it's amusing when Emma wails "I love John! I hate John!". The only source of humor that falls flat is Mrs. Elton, who is too overdone in her vulgarity and stupidity. Bit of a cheap laugh there.

Gwyneth Paltrow seems very in-her-element as Emma, managing to be cute and fumbling without ever making Emma seem precious or stupid. Ewan McGregor may hide whenever he sees his performance, but he's pretty good as Frank (and fans of his should definitely see him sing a duet with Paltrow -- he has a wonderful voice). Toni Collette is sweet as Emma's rather naive younger friend, Denys Hawthorne endearing as Emma's hypochondriac dad (he's kind of weird, but likeably so), Alan Cumming annoying as the juvenile Mr. Elton, and Greta Scacchi does a great turn as Emma's kindly mother-figure. And Jeremy Northam steals the show as Mr. Knightley, the barb-tongued aristocrat with a kindly heart and a genuine affection for Emma, even though her romantic prodding makes him nuts.

There are a few points in the movie where it does seem a little too light and frothy, but fortunately most of the time the direction stays in sync with the storyline. The lighting, the costumes, the music -- all of them are cute and lightweight. Kids can watch this as well as adults, since there are Disney cartoons that are more offensive than this. (But younger kids will be bored out of their skulls, probably)

"Emma" is a great film for anyone in search of a genuine comedy with lots of laughs and no stupid gags. Definitely something to watch, especially if you like hearing Ewan McGregor sing or Gwyneth Paltrow freaking out over a failed matchmaking.

Rating:
Summary: Very elegant
Review: There's no need to be offended by film adaptations of great novels--movies are liberal, creative and expressive in ways that verbose, psychologically incisive novels cannot be. Apples and oranges. As a movie, this is a fine piece of work. Gwyneth is lovely and charming, and brings real spirit and vivacity to the role. The cast is wonderful, the settings lush and romantic. Ewan McGregor grew some hair and sang. It's very funny and resolves nicely. What's not to like?

Rating:
Summary: Austen, A+ actors, and amusement!
Review: I have watched this movie literally a hundred times or more. It's one of my favorite movies and I don't always like movies that fall into the "romance" genre. This movie is filmed in lush scenery and utilizes that Austen wit. It's a purely fun movie to watch.
Emma is a spoiled but warmhearted English lady(Gwyneth Paltrow--as in aristocrat) who thinks nothing of interfering with her friends own personal issues and love lives. She makes a mess of trying to guide her newest friend's(Harriet, played by Toni Collette from "The Sixth Sense"/"Muriels Wedding")introduction to society and an equal mess of advising her on whom to choose as a suitor. It's only when she realizes her friend has fallen for her dashing best male friend, Mr. Knightley(Jeremy Northrup), that she comes to terms with her own feelings. Although she temporarily devestates her best friend, Harriet, with the news of her engagement to Mr. Knightley, everything comes to rights in the end and Harriet uses her own advice and follows her heart.
Maybe this is what guys would call a "chick flick", but secretly my boyfriend will watch it with me...although not more than a couple of times...this is definitely the movie my best friend (hello sara!) and I love to watch with all of its elegant costuming, beautiful scenery, and the daydream that it would be nice to live in Emma's world.
(There are also many other characters who add charm and wit to Emma's world...especially Mrs. Elton. Her snobbery and out-and-out rudeness is pretty funny.)

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 Northam is 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: SLOW....
Review: It had potential but unfortunately i did not get around to seeing it all because i was so bored by it after only 30 min that i actually turned it off... The plot is cute and ive heard the book it was based on was pretty good but all i can say is that this video definetley was NOT.

Rating:
Summary: A Truly Beautiful Masterpiece!
Review: I had not read "Emma" before seeing this movie, which is an omission I do not generally make with regard to "novels-turned-movies". However, from the very first scene, I fell so in love with the characters, the beauty of the scenery, and the very witty dialogue, that I could not wait to read the book. I beg the forgiveness of staunch Jane Austen fans as I must confess my mild disappointment in the book. Not that the book is not a masterpiece itself. It truly is. However, this movie was so well done, that my opinion of it is even higher than of the book. I do not mean to detract in any way from the book. But I so appreciate the attention to detail in the dress, mannerisms, and sets that make this Regency England! Of course, Austen needn't have troubled herself with descriptions of this kind as she was writing for those who knew very well the circumstances of the various characters. But for those of us to whom such society is quite foreign, the visual effects of the movie are quite compelling! I also found the use of music in this movie to be particularly appropriate to the various scenes, particularly the music surrounding the scene in which Emma is leading Harriet to think less of Mr. Martin & more of Mr. Elton. Truly, a job well done!

Rating:
Summary: Not Too Bad
Review: If I'm being upfront, I'll first say that Gwen doesn't thrill me that much. But I'm no Julia Roberts or Jerry Seinfeld fan either. Maybe that's because I'm way too judgmental about personal lives. But if I don't at least respect the actor, I can't enjoy, whole heartedly, anyway, the performance. On the other hand, I adore Tim Allen, Hugh Grant and Paul Reubens, so go figure! I guess it's that element of honesty, it can't be faked and it translates on to the screen.

Okay, all that jibberish aside, I enjoyed this movie, but I never stopped feeling like I was watching a movie. You know, oh, that's Gwen playing a Jane Austen character, I think, that is what she was doing, right? It was like that for me the entire movie. (I was able to let go of Kate Winslett and Emma Thompson in Sense and Sensibility.)

But that doesn't make the movie bad. It is fun to watch. I didn't even specifically notice Gwen's allegedly "Bad" English accent. At least she tried. And the movie is still a charming, romantic story, with lovely scenery and enough Austen twists and turns to keep you entertained.

Rating:
Summary: Gwneth is as exciting as warm milk
Review: I just don't like Gwyneth paltrow. She bothers me. Perhaps that's why I did not enjoy this version of Emma as much as "Jane Austen's Emma" with the stunning Kate Beckinsale in the title role. Kate has a spirit that Emma possesses and Gwyneth lacks.
Both are faithful adaptations of the book, but I just found the other one had more true spirit.
Also, while Mark Stong, who was Mr. Knightley in the Beckinsale version, is not as classically handsome as the very cute Jeremy Northern (or Northam? I haven't got my copy with me to check) I found him to be much sexier. He also seems to exude manliness in an almost palpable way, giving me all kinds of interesting thoughts. Northam, again, is very handsome, but too droll for the forthright Knightley.
I have compared the two twice now, and found that this version is just blah compared to the Beckinsale/Strong one.