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:

Ema

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 teal velvet bonnet Greta Scacchi (Mrs. Weston) wears in the final scene is the same one worn by Felicity Dean (Mrs. Clay) to visit Lady Dalrymple in Persuasion, and Emma Pierson (Fanny Dorrit) wears to visit Mrs. Merdles in Little Dorrit.

---

Goofs

Emma plays and sings the song "Silent Worship". Although it's based on an aria from George Frideric Handel's opera "Tolomeo", the version in the film was arranged by Arthur Somervell in 1928.

---

Quotes

Emma Woodhouse: Mr. Knightley, if I have not spoken, it is because I am afraid I will awaken myself from this dream.

---

Crazy Credits

Thanks to ... the people of Evershot.

---

Connections

Version of Emma (1960)

---

Soundtracks

"Mr. Beveridge's Maggot"
From John Playford's 'The English Dancing Master' Vol. 3 (1728)
Traditional
Arranged by John Gale

User Reviews

Matchmaker, match thyself...

What a delightful film...

Accompanied by Oscar-winning Composer RACHEL PORTMAN's lush, emotional and dreamy music, this film remains a pure delight worthy of viewing more than once a year.

Incredible casting...

Gwyneth Paltrow was perfect for the role of Emma. Toni Collette was great as Harriett Smith.

The character who stole the film was MISS BATES!!! She was mesmerizing to watch, one finds oneself on the edge of ones' seat just hanging on her every word and laughing hysterically WITH her. One of the most endearing characters I have come across in ages. From one of the opening scenes when she is thanking Mr. Woodhouse for sending "that lovely quarter-hind of pork... PORK, MOTHER!!!" she shouts into her daffy and clearly hearing impaired Mother, Mrs. Bates (played by Emma Thompson's mother, Phyllida Law) who looks forlorn and lost.

The comical ways that Emma would avoid the grating Miss Bates builds itself up for one truly gut-wrenching scene at the picnic when Emma insults Miss Bates who takes her cruel dig to her heart. We then see poor Miss Bates stammering and on the verge of tears and just so crushed one can not help but feel one's heart ripped out to her on her behalf. It is a classic scene, one to be rewound and played over & over...

The ending is right up there with "Sense & Sensibility" and provides one of life's greatest lessons about how one should marry one's best friend...

I hope that this film delights you all as much as it has myself.

I ADORED it!