Simply put, Emma is a gem. I've seen four versions of the Jane Austen classic, and this one is by far my favorite. While it's not the most faithful to the book, writer-director Douglas McGrath made so many improvements, it's as if Jane Austen herself came to him for help. Unlike the novel, the pace in the movie is excellent. It keeps you occupied constantly, flitting from one scene to the next with charm and interest, much like the heroine flits from one subject to another. "I love John! ... I hate John!" If you've ever tried to read Austen's novel, you may have noticed that the first three pages are dedicated to telling the reader how much Emma will miss her governess after she's married. McGrath consolidates it to one, well-written line of dialogue. Thank you!
This version of Emma has been unapologetically Hollywood-ized for American audiences, but since it's the best version, why should the little changes matter? In the novel, Harriet is supposed to beautiful, even prettier than Emma, with the only blight on her character being her birth and background. In this movie, Harriet isn't supposed to be pretty, and her clumsiness serves to highlight Emma's charm. This change works better for American audiences, and Toni Collette and Gwyneth Paltrow feed beautifully off each other. Toni is very funny, but she plays Harriet in a way that doesn't make us want to laugh at her, but with her.
While one aspect of the story has been changed, this version still completely immerses audiences in Austen's world. The costumes, landscapes, and beautiful homes will have you longing to live in that time period; and since you can't, the next best thing will be to keep watching Emma as many times as you can! I've seen it probably twenty times, and my love for it continues to grow. If you don't know the story and have never seen or read an Austen story, this is the perfect movie to start with. It's very quick and entertaining, with tons of humor, and is easy to understand.
Gwyneth Paltrow stars as the titular character, and she's so convincing in her surroundings, even if you've seen a dozen of her other movies, you'll find it impossible to believe she's the same actress who played other parts. She is Emma Woodhouse, living at Hartfield with her father, gossiping with her friend Greta Scacchi, and playing matchmaker with her friends and neighbors. When I see her in other movies, I always have to remind myself she isn't really British and doesn't have natural tendrils framing her face at all times. It's a very tricky job to play Emma Woodhouse as Austen intended and still remain likable to audiences, but Gwyneth masters it. Emma is spoiled and controlling. But with Gwyneth behind her, she's merely sheltered by her lovely world and those who love her, and a bit naïve of others' feelings. She may hurt people's feelings, but at the time she doesn't realize she's doing it, and when she learns, she's very sorry.
Jeremy Northam plays the critical Mr. Knightley, but unlike others who have portrayed him, you can always tell how much he cares for Emma. He's affectionate even when reserved, and the sparkle of kindness in his eye makes the audience root for him in nearly every scene. When he plays archery with Gwyneth, it's my favorite part!
Ewan McGregor is the charming, magnetic Frank Churchill, and like everyone else in the movie, he seems as if he truly lives in Austen's world. He has the cutest entrance scene, rescuing Gwyneth from a carriage accident; it's my favorite part!
Allan Cummings is Mr. Elton, the well-intentioned suitor of Gwyneth who gets unintentionally led on. She's blinded by her matchmaking goal and can't tell he's completely smitten with her, even when he follows her around and gives her puppy-dog eyes. At a Christmas party, he tries to get her attention by asking if she wants some punch, if she thinks her father might want some punch, and if she's too far away from or too close to the fire. "I'm in the perfect state of warmness," is my favorite part!
Polly Walker is Jane Fairfax, looked after by the poor, old maid Miss Bates and her mother Mrs. Bates, played by Sophie Thompson and her real mother Phyllida Law. Every time I set the table, I quote one of my favorite lines, when Sophie serves cake to her guests and scurries around when she forgets, "Napkins!"
Toni Collette is hilarious, uttering one of my favorite lines when she's trying to figure out a riddle in a letter: "Do you think we shall ever know?" which I quote whenever confronted with a conundrum. She tries very hard to be a good student to Gwyneth's wise lessons, and while she has her limitations, she always has good intentions.
As you can tell, I have a lot of favorite scenes and lines. It's a visually beautiful movie, and Rachel Portman's delightful score takes you back in time to a simpler world. Gwyneth Paltrow is perfect, making the movie more delightful than words can describe. If you don't love her after watching this movie, I'll never recommend another movie to you again.
This version of Emma has been unapologetically Hollywood-ized for American audiences, but since it's the best version, why should the little changes matter? In the novel, Harriet is supposed to beautiful, even prettier than Emma, with the only blight on her character being her birth and background. In this movie, Harriet isn't supposed to be pretty, and her clumsiness serves to highlight Emma's charm. This change works better for American audiences, and Toni Collette and Gwyneth Paltrow feed beautifully off each other. Toni is very funny, but she plays Harriet in a way that doesn't make us want to laugh at her, but with her.
While one aspect of the story has been changed, this version still completely immerses audiences in Austen's world. The costumes, landscapes, and beautiful homes will have you longing to live in that time period; and since you can't, the next best thing will be to keep watching Emma as many times as you can! I've seen it probably twenty times, and my love for it continues to grow. If you don't know the story and have never seen or read an Austen story, this is the perfect movie to start with. It's very quick and entertaining, with tons of humor, and is easy to understand.
Gwyneth Paltrow stars as the titular character, and she's so convincing in her surroundings, even if you've seen a dozen of her other movies, you'll find it impossible to believe she's the same actress who played other parts. She is Emma Woodhouse, living at Hartfield with her father, gossiping with her friend Greta Scacchi, and playing matchmaker with her friends and neighbors. When I see her in other movies, I always have to remind myself she isn't really British and doesn't have natural tendrils framing her face at all times. It's a very tricky job to play Emma Woodhouse as Austen intended and still remain likable to audiences, but Gwyneth masters it. Emma is spoiled and controlling. But with Gwyneth behind her, she's merely sheltered by her lovely world and those who love her, and a bit naïve of others' feelings. She may hurt people's feelings, but at the time she doesn't realize she's doing it, and when she learns, she's very sorry.
Jeremy Northam plays the critical Mr. Knightley, but unlike others who have portrayed him, you can always tell how much he cares for Emma. He's affectionate even when reserved, and the sparkle of kindness in his eye makes the audience root for him in nearly every scene. When he plays archery with Gwyneth, it's my favorite part!
Ewan McGregor is the charming, magnetic Frank Churchill, and like everyone else in the movie, he seems as if he truly lives in Austen's world. He has the cutest entrance scene, rescuing Gwyneth from a carriage accident; it's my favorite part!
Allan Cummings is Mr. Elton, the well-intentioned suitor of Gwyneth who gets unintentionally led on. She's blinded by her matchmaking goal and can't tell he's completely smitten with her, even when he follows her around and gives her puppy-dog eyes. At a Christmas party, he tries to get her attention by asking if she wants some punch, if she thinks her father might want some punch, and if she's too far away from or too close to the fire. "I'm in the perfect state of warmness," is my favorite part!
Polly Walker is Jane Fairfax, looked after by the poor, old maid Miss Bates and her mother Mrs. Bates, played by Sophie Thompson and her real mother Phyllida Law. Every time I set the table, I quote one of my favorite lines, when Sophie serves cake to her guests and scurries around when she forgets, "Napkins!"
Toni Collette is hilarious, uttering one of my favorite lines when she's trying to figure out a riddle in a letter: "Do you think we shall ever know?" which I quote whenever confronted with a conundrum. She tries very hard to be a good student to Gwyneth's wise lessons, and while she has her limitations, she always has good intentions.
As you can tell, I have a lot of favorite scenes and lines. It's a visually beautiful movie, and Rachel Portman's delightful score takes you back in time to a simpler world. Gwyneth Paltrow is perfect, making the movie more delightful than words can describe. If you don't love her after watching this movie, I'll never recommend another movie to you again.