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Title: Emma (1996)
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| 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. Martin |
|
|
Brett Miley | ... | Little Boy |
| Brian Capron | ... | John Knightley | |
|
|
Karen Westwood | ... | Isabella |
|
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Paul Williamson | ... | Footman |
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. Written by Philip Brubaker <coda@nando.net>
For those JASNA devotees (Jane Austen Society of North America), this adaptation of Jane Austen's "Emma" will truly send them running for the hills.
But if you're willing to view Emma with the belief that this movie is loosely based on the novel, and enjoy it on its own merits, you'll truly enjoy yourself.
Emma (Gwyneth Paltrow) is the apple of her aged father's eye and spends her ample free time trying to play matchmaker. Having achieved some success by matching her own governess with the widowed Mr. Weston, Emma sets out to match easily persuaded, impoverished newcomer Harriet Smith (Toni Collete) with hilarious results.
Some have complained that the casting is "all wrong" but I don't agree. I think for the comedic spirit of the film, the actors were well chosen. Sophie Thompson nearly steals the show as the muddled but happy Miss Bates. Her silent mother, Mrs. Bates (played by Sophie Thompson's real-life mother Phyllida Law), also steals a few scenes. In my humble opinion, anybody who prefers Mark Strong (the A&E version) over Jeremy Northam in the role of Mr. Knightley has to be "addled in the attic" as it were. Not tall enough? I'm sorry but I wasn't watching how tall he was but that mesmerizing smile. I'm sure I wasn't the only one swooning in my seat.
This is no literary classic (the movie NOT the book!) so let's not make it something it isn't. What Emma truly IS..is an enjoyable romp with a healthy dollop of romance. Viewed in this light, you're in for a good time.
And yes, Ewan McGregor's wig IS hideous. My friends compared it to a dead cat but that would do the cat an injustice.