Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful movie
Review: I am 16 years old and a great fan of Jane Austen's works, Emma being my favorite of her novels. This movie was an extremely beautiful production, with an attractive cast and beautiful setting. Praise must especially go to Jeremy Northam and Sophie Thompson for their portrayals of Mr Knightly and Miss Bates.Gwyneth Paltrow, in the title role, has the beauty of Emma, and played her rather well, but I felt that she could have done more with the role. My biggest complaint about this movie is how much detail they leave out. Many of the best, and most subtle, scenes of the book were left out, making it inferior to the BBC version. I also found the comedy to be contrived and out of place, quite unnecessary. Still, this movie is one of my favourites, light hearted and beautiful. Far superior to the mess named Clueless, and quite worth spending the time to watch it.
Rating: 
Summary: "A Beautiful, Sweet Movie."
Review: That's what I said after I watched it. I particularly liked the way the movie began - with the earth revolving round and round, taking you back in time. I thought it was well-cast. If you are a fan of Gwyneth Paltrow, then you will enjoy her in this. Most importantly, previous to seeing this Emma, I was not familiar with Jane Austen's works. This movie inspired me to read the book, as well as the other novels Miss Austen wrote.
Rating: 
Summary: Could there be a bigger waste of time?
Review: The definition of fad. By the time Emma Thompson was attempting her Austen-esque witticisms as she received her screenplay adaptation Academy Award for Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen was already finished as a viable movie source. Almost as quickly as she became hot, she was not. I just don't think many had realized it yet. Emma is a weak premise, at best, and this interpretation is outright intolerable. To say it pales in comparison to Clueless may be brash, considering the teen-fodder compost that was the Amy Heckerling version. Sometimes classic literature should remain just that, literature. Could there be a bigger waste of time with Gwyneth Paltrow present? Unfortunately yes---it's called Great Expectations (1998).
Rating:
Summary: Funny
Review: This is a funny story which is very roughly based on "Emma" by Jane Austen. If you think about it seriously, the storyline is practically exactly the same as "Cluless!" It's worth your while watching, and I can garantee that this is a good show for popcorns.
Rating:
Summary: As Jane Austen's World Turns...
Review: If you are a strict Austenite, you may not want this movie. Though it is based on the novel by Jane Austen, this adaptation is more like a soap opera version of a 19th century world. There are inconsistencies in linguistics, costuming, and hair design that are not in keeping with the styles of the time, so be aware of that if these are important factors for you. On a purely entertainment level, however, this movie is a delight, bridging the gap between the 1990's and the early 1800's. Humour is added that is more in keeping with our times, and adds a wonderful extra dimension to the film that a strictly Austen-based movie would have been lacking in.
Rating:
Summary: Gwyneth Paltrow is lovely
Review: Gwyneth Paltrow portrays a young, rich, somewhat snobby young lady who has her heart set on being a matchmaker, only to fail countless numbers of times. Throughout the movie she learns one of life's most important lessons: "Fate is better left alone". A heartwarming romantic comedy that will leave you wanting to see it over and over again:)
Rating:
Summary: Capturing the spirit of _Emma_...
Review: This adaptation of Jane Austen's classic lives up to the witty, lighthearted tone of the novel. Gwyneth Paltrow makes an excellent Emma - active, sweet, and slightly scattered - "faultless in spite of her faults." Sophie Thompson is a wonderfully effusive Miss Bates, and the oft-maligned Jeremy Northam is a believeable - and appropriately youthful-looking - Mr. Knightley. Though Austen fans will lament the exclusion of the "alphabets" scene, the screenplay manages to bring together most of the key plot elements into a cohesive, entertaining, and visually beautiful whole. The production design is exquisite, and Ruth Myers' costuming is a stunning (if not entirely period) example of Regency style. Rachel Portman's sweeping musical score adds magic to this beauty.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful
Review: To be honest (and this is addressed directly to those who complained about the movie), the first time I rented "Emma" I couldn't get through it and fast-forwarded directly to the last scene. I decided to give it another chance, however, and have since watched it six times. It is truly wonderful! The movie's atmosphere and language is very true to that of Jane Austen (I just finished "Northanger Abbey" and can verify this). The scenes themselves are very beautiful to look at--the scene in which Emma hides the mail from her father looks just like a painting. The acting is wonderful, especially from Jeremy Northam and (yes) Gwyneth Paltrow. Mr. Northam was fascinating in a close-up (watch the way he looks out of the corner of his eyes at Emma) and Ms. Paltrow was beautiful and projected the right combination of self-absorption and good will. In short, I highly recommend this film to anyone in the world. If you don't like it at first, be sure to give it another chance.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Love Story for the Ages
Review: Austen's mastery of the art of love is never better portrayed than in her novel, 'Emma.' A story with undeniably loveable characters, a charming plot, and beautiful imagery, it is truly a classic in every sense of the word. This movie tells that calssic story in grand style. Gwyneth Paltrow is stunning (giving hints of the glory she would achieve in Shakespeare in Love), and the costuming and scenery bring you oh so close to the England Jane Austen knew. A beautiful movie telling a timeless tale--a perfect example of the staying power of a classic.
Rating:
Summary: True to the spirit, if not the letter
Review: This is one of my favorite movies, mainly because I feel it remains true to the intentions of the book, if not necessarily to the letter. For myself, I much prefer this type of adaptation to the dry 12-part BBC versions that include every scene from the book, but in the process often (although not always) lose the true spirit of the original. Certainly, I think the characters are well-played here -- Jeremy Northam is a very convincing Mr. Knightly, and Gwyneth Paltrow really captures the spirit of Emma. She _is_ spoiled, but she also has good intentions and a good heart which is what makes her so appealing.
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