The Hollywoodised version of Jane Austen’s Emma is a very creditable version of the story, not perhaps the best one (personally I prefer the Kate Beckinsdale TV version, ironically also release in 1996) but still very watchable and with many good performances. It stars Gwyneth Paltrow (for me, that was a bad start!!) as a young single woman who is “never one to meddle”, but who always seems to be match-making for everyone else she knows. One of these – Harriette Smith (Toni Collette) in fact receives a proposal from a gentleman whom she likes very much – but Emma has managed to persuade her that the gentleman in question is beneath her. Despite many promises to herself and others (particularly her brother-in-law Mr Knightly (Jeremy Northam), she continues to wreck people’s lives with (usually) well-intentioned interference.

With all this match-making going on, it seems there is little chance for Emma to find herself a true love – until Frank Churchill (Ewan McGregor) turns up. He may not be all he seems however, nor are certain other visitors to the area… There is more afoot here than a simple pleasant visit, it seems, though pleasantness isn’t always much on display when everyone meets up…

As usual with Jane Austen stories, the plot centres mainly around a strong female character. However Emma is rather different in that she is generally the cause of her own misfortune – not driven by forces out of her control. She herself is out of control though and it seems that Mr Knightley is the only person who realises this – and the only person to whom Emma might listen. Quintessential Austen characters like odious clergymen are here (this time in the form of Alan Cummings). Otherwise the plot is typical Jane Austen material, and much of the film revolves around finding potential husbands and wives at the local balls held in the grand houses and halls. If you’ve ever seen an adaptation of a Jane Austen novel, you’ll know what to expect. The period details seem to be very well done, with costumes etc looking pretty authentic (as far as I can tell). It is done with the typical Hollywood glossiness that is often missing from lower-budget TV versions, but overall this neither detracts or adds to this particular film in comparison to them. It’s not pretending to be the most authentic representation, simply an enjoyable film – which it manages.

The cast is absolutely full of stars. Paltrow herself I find rather annoying, but as her character here is quite annoying too (she plays Emma with more an air of mischievousness than naiveté, which works well with the way this film is made), and thus I didn’t mind her performance. Toni Collette is outstanding (as usual), and Alan Cumming (Mr Elton – odious clergyman) was excellent. Ewan McGregor was typically reliable, and actresses Greta Scacchi, Polly Walker, and Sophie Thompson (she's particularly good) were all good. The real stars of the show though were Juliet Stevenson (who becomes Mrs Elton – and is even more odious than her husband!) and Jeremy Northam as Mr Knightley were truly excellent. There’s a lot of humour blended into the film, much of it from the original book of course but a few extra touches here and there. Add in a nice musical score(Rachel Portman) and you have a very polished production – but not so polished that it lacks heart.

Overall this version of Emma is perhaps not one for the real purists, but it’s a nice film and it’s even easy enough to put up with Gwyneth Paltrow in it :-D It’s also got virtually no offensive content so it’s good entertainment for pretty much anyone.

Other Information

Director: Douglas McGrath
Rating: U (UK) PG(USA - for brief mild language that the British Film Board obviously didn’t consider worthy even on a PG rating – I’m presuming the film was the same here and in the States…)
Runtime: 121 minutes

Quotes

Emma: I may have lost my heart, but not my self-control.

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Mr. Knightley: Emma, you didn't ask me to contribute a riddle.
Emma: Your entire personality is a riddle, Mr. Knightley. I thought you overqualified.

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Miss Bates: It left us speechless, quite speechless I tell you, and we have not stopped talking of it since.

(Possibly the best line in the film!)

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Mrs. Elton: I do not profess to be an expert in the field of fashion (though my friends say I have quite the eye) but I can tell you, there is a shocking lack of satin!

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Mr. Knightley: Better be without sense than misapply it as you do.
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Mr. Knightley: Is it not a brother's job to find fault with his sister?


(I’ll have to try this one out with my sisters… but I don’t think it will work!!)

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Frank Churchill: Is your horse just washing his feet or are the darker forces at work here?
Emma Woodhouse: The latter, I'm afraid. Something's happened to the wheel and I cannot move.
Frank Churchill: You'll just have to live here then. Buhbye.

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Links

You might also enjoy Pride & Prejudice starring Keirra Knightly.

Toni Collette - About A Boy
Ewan McGregor - Down With Love
Jeremy Northam - The Net

Emma could be considered both a period drama and romantic comedy, so if you like neither this probably won't be your cup of tea...

Recommended: Yes