Emma (1996)

Cute!

If you are fond of this kind of film you should like it. It's a cute little romance. Not serious but very light hearted and somewhat comical. I probably would have given it 4 or 5 stars if the cinematography and directing had been better. I also think the casting was a little blah, with the exception of Gwyneth Paltrow and Alan Cumming.
Paltrow nailed it! I'm not a huge fan of hers but she played the complicated Emma perfectly. Well meaning but trouble making, sweet but spoiled, generous but snobbish. She really made the character charming and believable. Alan Cumming was great to, but when is he not?
I defiantly recommend you give it a shot. It's not a movie you could watch over and over again, but at least once.
November 6, 2008

Good

you'll like this version. totally worth checking out. and then watch CLUELESS right after. you'll enjoy the mirror image better. November 2, 2008

Emma - timeless

I own this movie and it's one of those that I put on my dvd once a year. I've never grown tired of this classic story. Gwyneth is terrific in this. It's about finding love in the oddest of places. It's about judging people and making false character analysis. It's about making things right with good friends. And it's sweet and fun all wrapped up. I loved this movie and anyone who loves Jane Austen will like it. November 1, 2008

Simply adorable

Gwyneth Paltrow takes on the Austenian role with all the elegance anyone could possibly bring. She and the rest of the cast are all perfect in a true romantic comedy with all of the Jane Austen-ness for which anyone could possibly ask. It's absolutely darling. September 28, 2008

Its familiarity could be forgiven if Paltrow were half as interesting as she should have been...

Okay, don't hate me for this, but I came to a revelation while watching `Emma' the other night. Are you ready for this? Please, don't chastise me for this because I'm sure if you think about it you'll agree. Okay, here it goes...

I don't really understand why Jane Austen is so popular when each and every one of her stories seems to be the same story with different names.

Okay, I've said it, and I'm sure the hate mail will come pouring in now, but it had to be said. I know that some of you have seen this too, I mean, you'd really have to be blinded by your love of the period goddess to have not see it. Yes, her stories are touching and for any lover of the genre, films like `Sense and Sensibility' and `Pride and Prejudice' are really top notch entertainment (I love both those films by the way, so don't take this little revelation as an `I hate Jane Austen' tirade, for it is not), but one must realize that there is really little difference between the two stories.

Girl loves boy who loves another girl. A different boy loves the first girl but she is put off by him. When the boy the girl loves finally loves her she realizes that she loves the boy she was put off by but he is now in love with another girl. Eventually they realize they are meant for one another and the ending is, of course, very happy.

That said, `Emma' is sweet and charming in its own right, but it pales in comparison to the previous Austen juggernauts (I love Paltrow, but she is no Winslet and she can't manage to muster up the charm Knightley brought to her performance). The plot, while familiar, is not really the issue here. I think the biggest issue is Paltrow. Now I will not say that it was her accent, because it wasn't. I actually thought she pulled that off quite nicely. The problem was that she wasn't very entertaining. I found her rather boorish and uninteresting. I expected her to be emotionally investing (as was the always stellar Winslet) or perky and excitable (as was Knightley). Instead she was just barely there and really was overshadowed by nearly everyone else on the screen.

It was exciting to see Toni Collette is a softer role. She is truly a wonderful actress and played her part beautifully.

In the end I just can't see a real reason to entertain this film unless you are a devoted Jane Austen fan. If you are merely a fan of the genre then select some of her other work (or some other work period) since this is not the cream of the crop. Its familiarity is only the underlying foundation for my displeasure. It is the lack of spontaneity and the lack of overall excitement that makes `Emma' a dull girl. September 24, 2008

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