Emma
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Movie Reviews of Emma
Movie Review: It was Lovely!
Summary: 5 Stars
I must start off by saying I am a fan of Emma, and of Jane Austen, and that I love this movie. I think people ought to stop being so uptight about things like movies made into books. Adaptations are usually not supposed to be LITERAL imitations of art. After all, Jane Austen did not write the screenplay, produce, or direct this film. Other individuals did.
That doesn't mean that poorly made films shouldn't be examined or criticized. In my opinion, a book made film should be done as closely, faithfully, and true to the inspiration as possible, but that's just not what happens. It's important to keep this in mind when you watch Emma.
I was NOT a fan of Gwyneth Paltrow before this film. I just could not see her appeal. After this film, I thought maybe her other classically inspired roles might be worth a try. I remember feeling mixed over her appearance for one thing: she is fair and delicate, where Austen's descriptions (mostly the ones through Mr Knightley) of Emma had me inclined to imagine her as curvy, less willowy, more rosy than pink, and dark-eyed and -haired. However, I thought she was very much like Emma. She was sweet and pleasant, a good, nice girl; but her prejudices and her self-assured airs always got the best of her. Perhaps it wasn't spot on characterization, but Emma was a snob, a nice, good-at-heart snob.
I also don't remember thinking Mr Knightley was very dreamy, but this movie did it for me. He is gallant and gentle and sweet. The problem with that is, the original Mr Knightley always struck me as a bit more gruff. I shouldn't say problem, actually, because Jeremy Northam is quite wonderful in this role.
For the record, I think it cruel to call the film's Harriet unattractive. I thought she was very sweet, cute, even. Harriet Smith was underprivileged, and no doubt felt very awkward with the dignified Emma. She was always unsure of herself and I thought it was a fine comparison. As I said, not spot on, but adequate. And it certainly all came together with the rest of the character/story tweakings.
And yes, dear Lord, Frank Churchill's hair WAS awful.
I don't want to go into actor/character examinations (such as how Jane Fairfax wasn't as beautiful as I imagined her, Mr Elton not as dignified and youthful, Mr Woodhouse not QUITE as fussy, and woefully short of spotlight, and so on, so on...). I simply want to point out that the film lives up to the basic story. Subplots in lengthy, involved books cannot be paid much attention to, or the film will be boring. They are not identical art forms. There are changes and, again, tweakings here and there, but the movie was enjoyable, and it's great fun to recognize characters and events from the book and see how someone else interpreted them. I believe would have delighted me even if I had not read the book first.
Movie Review: A perfect production of Austen's most light-hearted work
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Movie Review: Sweeter and more romantic than the novel
Summary: 5 Stars
Almost universally, I find novels to be far superior to their movie version, and I think most avid readers would be inclined to agree. However, in this case, without having seen the film first, I never would have considered reading this book because I often steer away from classics, finding them difficult to understand and hard to follow.
I was quite enamoured with this highly romantic film Emma starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam that I felt inspired to seek out the book. Of course, my analytical mind couldn't help comparing and contrasting the book with the film. There are so many different characters, many of whom had very minor roles, or were spoken of but never appeared in any actual scene. Having seen the film first, it was far easier to "know" who everyone was, and how they related to each other. The book had many more scenes that filled in delightful details and had deeper character development, which drew me into the story more intensely than before. There were aspects of the film that seemed more romantic (the interactions between Emma and Mr Knightly, for example), and I preferred the way the film ended as compared to the book. But in both versions, Mr. Knightly was extremely swoon-worthy!!! Jeremy Northam was outstanding in this role!
I feel very inspired to read the book in print, now that I am sure to understand and appreciate it to its fullest. And I have just ordered the DVD film version starring Kate Beckensale, which is reputed to be the most romantic of all!! I have officially been "turned-on" to Jane Austen, and plan to read her other books, comparing and contrasting them to their respective film versions as I have so enjoyed doing with Emma.
Movie Review: Delightful from print to screen----- A film well made
Summary: 5 Stars
Great attempt by Douglas McGrath to bring Jane Austen's timeless classic to silver screen. This adaptation compressed the lengthy novel into a concise,witty and upbeat narrative satire. Without losing the essence of the oringal.Gwyneth Paltrow gave an excellence performance playing Austen's heroine.She obviously did her homework.With polished english accent,she sang and played the piano,dance,sew,draw,played archery,and not forgetting acted as Cupid. Being the backbone of the movie,Emma Woodhouse tried to matchmake friends around her namely Harriet Smith. The outcome showed she clearly not quite cut out to be cupid however things seem to turn out well and merry eventually--thanks to the crafty works by Jane Austen. The film didn't forget to bring out the best of Austen's creation. Emma Woodhouse is beautiful,clever,witty but with pinch of insensitive and willfulness but clueless when come to matters of her own heart and interest. With some twists and turns with some harmless mishaps,she ended up with her Mr.Knightley. All sprightly done.
The castings are near perfect with exceptional casts like Toni Collette,Jeremy Northam,Ewan McGregor,Alan Cumming,Juliet Stevenson and Phyllida Law.Great rapport and numerous intellectual dialogue.
"Emma" has one of the best costume and art direction with distinct details of the 19th century England society. It's oscar winning sound track also added to the enjoyableness of this romantic and delightful film.
The captivating aura of this film make watching Austen even more fun and entertaining . Everyone and everything turned out great. A film well made.
Movie Review: A Truly Beautiful Masterpiece!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had not read "Emma" before seeing this movie, which is an omission I do not generally make with regard to "novels-turned-movies". However, from the very first scene, I fell so in love with the characters, the beauty of the scenery, and the very witty dialogue, that I could not wait to read the book. I beg the forgiveness of staunch Jane Austen fans as I must confess my mild disappointment in the book. Not that the book is not a masterpiece itself. It truly is. However, this movie was so well done, that my opinion of it is even higher than of the book. I do not mean to detract in any way from the book. But I so appreciate the attention to detail in the dress, mannerisms, and sets that make this Regency England! Of course, Austen needn't have troubled herself with descriptions of this kind as she was writing for those who knew very well the circumstances of the various characters. But for those of us to whom such society is quite foreign, the visual effects of the movie are quite compelling! I also found the use of music in this movie to be particularly appropriate to the various scenes, particularly the music surrounding the scene in which Emma is leading Harriet to think less of Mr. Martin & more of Mr. Elton. Truly, a job well done!