Customer Reviews
EMMA by Jane Austen 
2008-05-02
Who could not love Gwyneth Paltrow's performance in this version of Emma??? She is beyond 5 stars- and the story flows and is done brilliantly - all the actors were well done. I have seen all the versions ever produced and love this one far above the others.
Good Chick Flick 2008-04-18
I absolutely LOVE this Mr. Knightly... I think I like him better than Mr. Darcy. Okay so maybe not but it is REALLY close.
The ultimate feel-good comedy of manners 
2008-04-12
It's been said that for two weeks every year, the countryside of England is the closest Earth comes to Eden.
That is the England of Douglas McGrath's 1996 adaptation of Jane Austen's novel, "Emma." Starring Gwyneth Paltrow (pre-"Shakespeare in Love") and a host of British acting aces, "Emma" is a pure feel-good romp through England's strict Victorian manners.
Emma Wodehouse is living her life by arranging the lives of others, content to try to arrange the marriages of the Harriet Smiths (Toni Collette) of the world to the Mr. Eltons (Alan Cumming). Romantic misadventures abound, particularly when the dashing Mr. Churchill (Ewan MacGregor) shows up and the equally dashing Mr. Knightley (Jeremy Notham) begins to look like something a bit more than a best friend.
McGrath keeps all this romantic folderol clipping along at a blithe, cheery pace, complete with pitch-perfect soundtrack and gorgeous camera work. But perhaps the most moving scene is where Emma bares her claws and tears into a ridiculously chatty friend (played perfectly by Sophie Thompson) only to have Mr. Knightley call Emma out. This is the prototypically Jane Austen scene - the exactly right words say so much with subtext even though they aren't that damning at first light. To say the actors handle this scene well is an understatement.
Perhaps I should give this movie five stars. It's tough to do so - both the Jane Austen filmography and the spate of terrific English romantic comedies are crowded fields. While I can't say "Emma" is the best film I've seen, it is surely one of the most enjoyable, smile-inducing flicks I've watched in a long time. A sure-fire winner.
Love. This. Movie. 2008-04-07
This could be Jane Austen's best story yet. Well acted and funny, this one is a refreshing change from the woe is me main character of other Austen stories.
A perfect production of Austen's most light-hearted work 2008-04-01
This film has a dream cast with Gwyneth Paltrow playing the elegant rich girl Emma, getting into trouble with her foolish over-romantic meddling in the affairs of others. Jeremy Northam is reserved, wise, and handsome as Mr. Knightly, Emma's sister's brother-in-law who is also a neighbor of the Woodhouse family. Toni Collette plays a big-boned Harriet Smith, the village maid that eventually finds the right man. Polly Walker as Jane Fairfax and Ewan McGregor as Frank Churchill play the secret lovers who eventually marry when the young Mr. Churchill inherits enough funds to marry a poor but beautiful, reserved, and talented governess. Greta Scacchi plays Frank Churchill's mother, Mrs. Weston and hats off to Sophie Thompson who plays the silly chatterbox Miss Bates. All the actors are superb but it is actually Toni Collette who steals every scene playing the overly impressionable Miss Harriett Smith.
Jane Austen's Emma has always been a favorite of mine. It is as close to comedy as any of Austen's work. It is basically about a rich beautiful witty and immature young woman who begins to grow up after her endless schemes back-fire and she almost misses a man who adores her. This differs from Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility where the women are not rich and thus marriage to a well situated male makes all the difference in the world in regard to life's trajectory. Late 18th century women in England had to rely on marriage as the prime determination of their social class and fiscal stability. Thus the play between men and women has an edge of economic competition in Austen's more mature works than is evident in Emma. Emma is about maturity and developing character whereas Elizabeth Barrett in Pride and Prejudice already has a high level of character and maturity even as the story begins. Even though Harold Bloom, the literary critic, selects Emma as the best of Austen's work, I find I disagree. This film is beautiful and graceful and funny, exactly as Emma should be produced. However it is Pride and Prejudice which is the masterpiece. This however does not distract from this charming and well produced interpretation of Austen's Emma.
Best version of Emma 2008-07-21
This is in my opinion the best movie version of Emma...Gwyneth Paltrow comes across just like the Emma I read about. I disliked Emma in the story so much until the end and it was the same in this movie version. Very good.
Very good movie 2008-06-26
I'd like to say first that I am not an Austen fan. I generally don't like the movies made about her books, nor do I like her books. However, this movie was cute. I would assume that is because it doesn't catch the essence of Austen's works like some people say it doesn't, and since that very essence is what I don't like, I loved this movie. If you're really into Austen books, try the other version (I haven't seen it, so I can't recommend it more than that), but if you're just looking for a good, happy chick flick, this is a great one. Go Mr. Knightly! I want to know his first name...
Pleased 2008-05-18
The DVD was received in excellent condition. I would recommend future purchases from this seller! Thank you!
Gwyneth is great! 2008-05-09
Wonderful movie! I highly recommend you read Jane Austen's book EMMA first. Gwyneth gives a geat performance as Emma.If you are a Jane Austen fan, you will love this movie!
Love It! 2008-05-06
My favorite Jane Austin movie. I've watched it over and over again. Paltrow does a fabulous job blending coy with intelligence.
