Emma (1996)

In rural 1800s England things go bad for a young matchmaker after she finds a man for another woman.

Director:

Douglas McGrath

Writers:

Jane Austen (novel), Douglas McGrath (screenplay)

Stars:

Gwyneth Paltrow, James Cosmo, Greta Scacchi

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gwyneth Paltrow	...	Emma Woodhouse
James Cosmo	...	Mr. Weston
Greta Scacchi	...	Mrs. Weston
Alan Cumming	...	Mr. Elton
Denys Hawthorne	...	Mr. Woodhouse
Sophie Thompson	...	Miss Bates
Jeremy Northam	...	Mr. Knightley
Toni Collette	...	Harriet Smith
Kathleen Byron	...	Mrs. Goddard
Phyllida Law	...	Mrs. Bates
Edward Woodall	...	Mr. Robert Martin
Brett Miley	...	Little Boy
Brian Capron	...	John Knightley
Karen Westwood	...	Isabella Knightley
Paul Williamson	...	Footman

Storyline

Emma Woodhouse is a congenial young lady who delights in meddling in other people's affairs. She is perpetually trying to unite men and women who are utterly wrong for each other. Despite her interest in romance, Emma is clueless about her own feelings, and her relationship with gentle Mr. Knightly.

---

Plot Keywords:

love | england | matchmaker | jane austen | matchmaking | 

---

Taglines:

Cupid is armed and dangerous!

---

Genres:

Comedy | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for brief mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 August 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Emma (de Jane Austen)

Filming Locations:

Breakspear House, Harefield, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£402,499 (UK) (13 September 1996)

Gross:

ITL 109,430,000 (Italy) (28 March 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax Films, Matchmaker Films, Haft Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min 94 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The yellow embroidered gown Greta Scacchi (Mrs. Weston) wears to dinner at Hartfield is the same costume worn by Priscilla Morgan (Mrs. Bennet) in Pride and Prejudice, and by Lucy Robinson (Mrs. Elton) at Hartfield in Emma.

---

Goofs

As Emma and Knightly are leaving the church, Jane Fairfax takes Frank Churchill's arm twice.

---

Quotes

Emma: [worried that Mr. Knightley may be in love with Harriet Smith] Oh dear!
Mr. Knightley: What?
Emma: What? Oh...
[realizing her mistake]
Emma: Oh!
[uneasily]
Emma: Something about the deer we need for the... the... venison stew.

---

Crazy Credits

Thanks to ... the people of Evershot.

---

Connections

References Pride and Prejudice (1940)

---

Soundtracks

"Virgins Are Like the Fair Flower"
from "The Beggar's Opera" by John Gay (1728)
Composed by John Pepusch (uncredited)
Revised by Frederic Austin
Performed by Polly Walker and Ewan McGregor
©Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd.

User Reviews

A very pleasant adaptation. And Northam is a real find!

By no means my favourite Austen novel, and Paltrow is by no means my favourite actress, but I found the film almost totally delightful. Paltrow does a good job, and Cummings, Stevenson and the one who plays 'Miss Bates' are all absolutely terrific. The period detail is not alienating; the feel of the movie is just right, in fact. But the real 'find' is Jeremy Northam as Mr Knightley. There could not be more perfect casting, IMO. I hated Mr K in the novel, but found him wonderfully human and humane in the film. Northam's good looks and smiling eyes are no hindrance to enjoyment, either! Highly recommended. AnaR