Emma

I loved this movie It is beautifully filmed, the costumes and scenery are lovely to look at and make it believable coming from it's time period. I am a huge Jane Austen fan and am trying to watch every version of all of her books. This is the only version of Emma that I've seen so far. The movie is very funny and generally quite light as opposed to Sense and Sensibility or Mansfield Park - however that doesn't take away from the character development or the teaching of good morals and the satisfaction of a beautiful ending to the story which only occurs after Emma has learned the lessons she desperately needs to learn. I loved the humor - it is a wonderful "girl" movie with laughs and tears and of course beautiful language with nothing objectionable...It is the kind of movie that gives you the escape that you need into a world that is believable on some level but not real enough to be depressing. My only objection is that the DVD has no bonus materials - I would've loved to hear director and actor comments during the film as is often done and or a section on how the movie was made. After seeing several of these in other movies - it brings the movie alive in another way. Well worth watching.

I had always hesitated in watching this movie. As an avid Jane Austen fan, I was somewhat distracted by the DVD cover depicting Emma as Cupid. Once you get to the movie you have a much different experience. I enjoyed the settings, the interpretation of the story. Gwyneth Paltrow did a marvelous Emma, socially intelligent but at times humanly ignorant. Mr. Knightly was my favorite as always. I enjoyed this look at him and found it comparable to the movie with Kate Beckinsale as Emma. Each movie has its own look and charms. I think it is wise to govern your feelings about any of the movies as they are products of the director's mind. The best Emma "movie" is to grab a cup of coffee and curl up with the book and let your imagination take the lead. We should not expect that another's interpretation should match the intention and work of Jane Austen as much as our own or our own viewpoints. She had many messages in all of her work but Emma really is delightful in every view. If you just compare the movies of Emma with each other you only have a small slice of Jane Austen's world. You compare the characters the way it ought to be....with the others. As Maryann said in "Sense and Sensibility", " I compare my conduct with yours (Elinor), the way it ought to be." And for me, the comments will be thus. Emma in any way is delightful, entertaining and makes you smile. Indeed...a wonderful surprise.

Great movie

This is a delightful romp through one of Jane Austen's classic tales. It is true to the book, for the most part, and any variations from the original manuscript do not in any way detract from the story and its premise. The cast is delightful, particularly Gwyneth Paltrow and Toni Collette as Emma and Miss Smith, respectively. In contrast to the version with Kate Beckinsale, this portrayal of the title character is so sweet and amiable that you have compassion for her even when she makes blunders and misconstrues the motives/feelings of others. The pairing of the actors chosen for Mr. Churchill and Miss Fairfax seemed a poor choice, and their characters did not convey any real feelings for each other. Miss Bates was portrayed brilliantly by Sophie Thompson, who was also wonderful in another Jane Austen's classics: Persuasion. Overall, this is a very enjoyable version of a wonderful book.

Emma is a wealthy and bored young woman in Regency England. She lives the good life in her rural manse, where she lives with her hypochondriac father, and she has just successfully seen a match she's made lead to the altar. Flushed with success, she is determined to continue her role as Cupid, which leads to disaster and comedy at every turn. Director McGrath proves to have a good eye for exterior shots and comedic elements. The script is delightful, the cast superb, and Rachel Portman's score is faultless. The real problem with this adaptation is dear Gwyneth. Paltrow is absolutely lovely and charming as the heroine here, but she is not Emma as written by Jane Austen, and the discrepancy changes the story entirely. To see this character played to perfection, you must see her played by Kate Beckinsale. Before you click the "No" button, hear me out: watch both films' version of the pivotal scene of the picnic on Boxer Hill, where Emma insults poor chatty Miss Bates. Austen's Emma is intelligent but thoughtless, generous but as yet unkind, in the way that young people can sometimes be. The essential drama of Austen's story lies in Emma's realization that she has been mistaken about oh! so many things, in her growth as she internalizes that realization, and in her discovering love when she becomes worthy of it. By contrast, Gwyneth Paltrow is perfect from the first scene. She exudes sophistication; she cannot help it. You never feel that she does not know what's what and who's who, and therefore she cannot develop as Austen means her to. And that precludes her from playing Emma to perfection. That said, if you are a Paltrow fan, you will love her in this charming film. She is effervescent. If, however, you are an Austen purist, then you MUST see the Beckinsale version instead. Regardless of your opinion of the film, you WILL be disappointed in this DVD. Apparently Miramax's Harvey Weinstein has heard of neither bells nor whistles. Special features listed are: a theatrical trailer, subtitles in English and chapter selection. And that accurately sums it up. There's really no excuse for such a trifling package. Now I've had my say and you, dear reader, may click away.

Best quality performance for the main character of Emma by Gwyneth Paltrow. The interpretation of the character of Harriet Smith is also the absolute best for any version. Well directed. George Knightly was well expressed also. The other characters were well done, especially the wife of the minister.

I love this movie so of course I bought this. I like listening to it while I sew. I have scenes memorized so I know what is going on just listening to it! Very sweet, funny movie, great acting. Better than the book.

I love this movie! Best version I have ever seen of Emma.