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intereact!Director: Douglas McGrath
Actors: Gwyneth Paltrow, James Cosmo, Greta Scacchi, Alan Cumming, and Denys Hawthorne
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Retail Price (not our price): $14.99
Release Date: 1999-01-05
Theatrical Release Date: 1996-08-02
Studio: Miramax
Run Time: 121 minutes
Format: Array
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Discs: 1
Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
1) Amazon.com
Most people didn't mind Gwyneth Paltrow's English accent in this charming, 1996 adaptation of Jane Austen's novel (which also inspired Clueless). But even if it doesn't sound quite right to you, there are plenty of authentic and wonderful Brit thespians in this film by screenwriter-turned-director Douglas McGrath (co-author of Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway), including Juliet Stevenson (Truly Madly Deeply), Alan Cumming (Buddy), Phyllida Law (Much Ado About Nothing), Ewan McGregor (the Scots star of Trainspotting), and Sophie Thompson, outstanding and finally heartbreaking as the chattering Miss Bates. Paltrow plays Austen's benign busybody, Emma Woodhouse--so busy trying to arrange the lives of others that she is sidestepping her own. McGrath brings a kind of pretty and light touch to the production, his best move the wise delegation of creative authority to the actors themselves. --Tom Keogh2) Description
This delightfully fun and lighthearted comedy is based on the story that inspired the hit movie CLUELESS! Dazzling Gwyneth Paltrow (SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS) shines as EMMA, a mischievous young beauty who sets up her single friends. Funny thing is ... she's not very good at it! So when Emma tries to find a man for Harriet (Toni Collette -- THE SIXTH SENSE, ABOUT A BOY), she makes a hilariously tangled mess of everyone's lives. You'll enjoy all the comic confusion ... until Emma herself falls in love, finally freeing everyone from her outrageously misguided attempts at matchmaking.
Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5
1) Lack luster [Rating: 2 out of 5]
I recently purchased this film in addition to the 1997 version (starring Kate Beckinsale), not having seen either before. Hoping to recreate the elation I experienced when purchasing both the 2006 and the A&E Pride and Prejudice versions (both wonderful adapatations), I was rather disappointed. Overall, I would rate this version 2 stars instead of the 3 I give to the 1997 release.Although I identify with the actors in the 1996 adaptation (they are well known in the US), this film overall is lack luster. The main elements of the novel are portrayed and the individual acting is fine, but this version is just not as good as the 1997 production. The costumes lack authenticity and the era is not well represented. It was almost like watching a hybrid version of the 1997 release and Clueless.If you are interested in purchasing this film and you haven't seen it yet, I would highly recommend you rent it (along with the 1997 version) and come to your own conclusion. I will be "regifting" this one...2) Cute movie [Rating: 3 out of 5]
THis is a good movie with great comedy. I actually prefer "Jane Austen's Emma" starring Kate Beckinsale,but this is a nice one to add to your library as well. I especially like the scene of Emma shooting arrows which is a scene not done in the other "Emma" movie. This is the only occasion,I believe, where I actually prefer the movies to the book.3) For the love of Austen [Rating: 5 out of 5]
What is not to love? Austen's story line (well, as much as they ever put in movies) and Gwyneth's acting make this film delightful.4) box office candy than substance [Rating: 3 out of 5]
i will always complain that paltrow was the wrong choice: this character needed to be played by a british actress who understands the true nature of a clearly british novel. i think that there are some things that should only be played by british actors and that is any of the characters from a jane austen novel.5) Charming, but not very Austen.... [Rating: 4 out of 5]
1996's "Emma" is a dramatization of one of Jane Austen's last novels, featured young Gwyneth Paltrow in the leading role. "Emma" as directed by Douglas McGrath is pure romantic comedy. Emma Woodhouse (Paltrow)is the youngest daughter of an aging aristocrat (Denys Hawthorne) and a benign but inept matchmaker for her friends. Her particular target is her friend Harriet Smith (Toni Collette), whom she talks out of accepting the offer of an honest farmer in favor of pursuing the more sophisticated young cleryman Mr. Elher (Alan Cummings). This scheme falls to pieces when it becomes embarassingly clear that Mr. Elher is more interested in Emma. Emma continues to search for an eligible young man for Harriet, becoming distracted along the way by her feelings for the roguish Frank Churchill (Ewan McGregor), who has caught the eye of several local ladies. Emma's inept matchmaking culminates in her thoughtless humiliation of the chatty but harmless spinster Miss Bates at a picnic. She is very properly upbraided for bad form by her very patient good friend Mr. Knightley (Jeremy Northam in a movie-stealing performance). Emma realizes almost too late that her own interest may lie with Mr. Knightley. Their walk in the woods may be the most priceless scene in the movie, as Mr. Knightley tries to set the scene for a proposal of marriage while Emma tries to head off what she fears will be an end to their friendship."Emma" is good fun but leaves something to be desired as an Austen adaptation. The leading character has been bleached of her imperfections; she is charming and likeable throughout the movie with the single exception of the incident at the picnic. She pays no particular price for her interference in other people's lives; the painful personal growth we expect in a Jane Austen character that will lead to the right mate has been almost airbrushed out of the story. That said, "Emma" is still worthwhile entertainment, highly recommended to those looking for a frothy romantic comedy.