Emma [1996] [Blu-ray]

The 1996 film of Emma with Douglas McGrath as both director and screenwriter is a fine film adaptation of Jane Austen's 1815 novel. Itand has a wonderfully witty script, is generally well acted by a mostly British cast, beautifully shot in an almost storybook fashion and accompanied by Rachel Portman's buoyant score. Unless you are one of those who are inclined to dislike the material itself, it's practically all one could wish for in a film inspired by Austen's lightest novel. As usual those who have read the books may complain about this or that but as films go this one is very true to the original story, leaving little out. It differs mostly in tone being generally lighter and more comic than Austen who at times can be quite biting in her observations of her characters. still, some of the best barbs, as Emma's comments to Harriet about farmer Robert Martin are quoted verbatim from Austen herself. The director keeps things moving by providing swift transitions from one scene to the next: no sooner than someone is mentioned in conversation or a letter than suddenly they are there without the need to film the intervening material.The role was practically made for Gwyneth Paltrow, then a new, up and coming presence on the screen, just four years older than Emma in the book. Emma in her core has a good heart and, as Austen says, her flaws were mainly of having had things her own way far too often and a rather strong tendency to think too well of herself. She is independently wealthy (her thirty-thousand pounds was inherited from a relative), young,beautiful and intelligent but also somewhat snobbish and very class conscious, and having spent her entire life at Hartfield and Highbury as the belle of the local gentry is quite clueless about the lives of others, especially those beneath her social station. Gwyneth herself was much like Emma, essentially well-intended, young and beautiful, raised in a special Hollywood set that included having Steven Spielberg as her godfather and inclined in her Goop blog (before it went all-commercial) to dispense advice like never scrimp on your personal stylist, spray the air with liquid silver before sitting down in a plane seat and should you for some unknown reason find yourself having to fly coach (gasp) simply buy the whole row of seats so no one can sit down near you.Gwyneth mastered the accent well enough, trained in singing and archery and studied the social rules of the period in preparation for the role. She is wonderfully supported by Jeremy Northam, who makes a fine Austen hero as Mr. Knightley. Toni Colette is quite the self-doubting acolyte as Harriet and gained weight for the role. The garrulous Miss Bates and her silent mother are convincingly played by an unrecognizable Sophie Thompson and Phillida Law, the sister and mother of actress Emma Thompson. The older characters were all well done. I have some reservations about Ewan McGregor's Frank Churchill. Fresh from Trainspotting, he was looking for something quite different to show he had range, but seemed a bit too affable at times and not as shallowly conceited as he should be. He's also supposed to be a dashing young man, but tha.t was undercut by a horrible wig that made him look like a wet cocker spaniel. He later disavowed the wig in interviews as a great mistake.The characters of Mr. Elton and his bride Augusta (nee Hawkins) were deliberately changed to make them more broadly comic figures. In the book he is supposed to be quite handsome and she quite beautiful, which is hardly the case here. Juliet Stevenson's Augusta obviously needed her thousands of pounds that would always be called ten, to attract a husband. Alan Cumming's Mr. Elton seemed not so much handsome as a kind of twit in the way British actor Murray Melvin was in similar roles in british films of the 60's and 70's. Fot this film's conception of them they were quite well chosen.Though the film was favorably received by most critics and a hit with the public, making back four times its cost in its first run alone, it had its criticisms. These mostly revolved around the film being "too pretty" with the realistic circumstances of the era glossed over. There was great poverty in the country, many people were wretched, etc. Also, the film hardly showed any of the vast army of servants required to keep up the opulent life of the gentry. This may be partially true but is beside the point in almost every way. Jane Austen was a great observer and satirist of country life but never some kind of social realist or reformer. This is the Regency Period, well before Charles Dicken's time when the Industrial Revolution and its vast Satanic mills had advanced far enough to create terrible conditions that needed reforming. Highbury is essentially Surrey - Box Hill, where the picnic takes place is an actual site in Surrey - not the Midlands, and Jane describes her Highbury as a place where everyone was well fed. Interestingly, the Industrial Revolution was being felt even in Highbury where lowly tradespeople like Mr. Weston and even moreso, the Clarks, were becoming so wealthy that they had fine houses and felt free to invite the gentry to their dinners and parties. This provides a wonderful joke as Emma awaits their invitation so she can refuse it only to have to show up as all the other gentry had accepted. For much of the Jane Austen film and television adaptation audience this world of hers is somewhat of a romantic place where everyone dresses so nicely and lives so well that it's more like a fairy tale world than an actual place.The real problem with Jane Austen adaptations is that if you haven't read the books they are a challenging thing to figure out. You are presented, usually quite quickly with a large assortment of characters who you have little time to absorb. Not only are some related to each other but they exist in a world of by now bewildering rules of class and behavior that can be incomprehensible, especially if you are a newcomer to the genre. At least Emma is independently wealthy and isn't in a situation where she must marry or be ruined. At least there are no legal complexities like the Bennet's entailed estate in Pride and Prejudice. But there are still many complexities like Frank Churchill who is the son of Mr. Weston by his first wife but was adopted by his aunt of the Churchills in Yorkshire and had to take their name and only see his father once a year in London. (His mother, a daughter of the gentry, had married beneath her: Mr. Weston, a Captain in the army when they married, was a tradesman. His aunt took him in to preserve the family bloodline lest he become lowly like the very respectable Mr. Weston) See how complicated and strange it gets to someone today?I cautiously recommend checking various online sources that describe the characters, but must warn you that some of them give too many plot points away and can spoil the film. Most of it is actually spoken of in the film but you have to listen to everything very carefully. This is especially true of characters like the Dixons and Campbells who aren't actually present in the film but have some importance in the plot. I do believe, however that this film is so well made that it can be enjoyed no matter how much or how little one knows about Jane Austen and Emma.

I really wanted digital because I move around too much and stuff gets put in storage. So I bought this hopeful for the digital code and the DVD. I really wanted a blueray. But alas. no code.I do love the movie. NOthing is wrong with the story. But the DVD. I wish for a blueray and digital code.

This is the best adaptation of the book. It has an impressive cast of actors. The Miss Bates actor steals every scene she's in..

This was a pretty good adaption!

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.

I enjoyed this movie. It gave more insight of Jane Eyre and the love that inspired her great literary works. It seems to have ended as well as could be expected considering the ordeal that transpired against her. I won't give any spoilers as for those unaware. I do wish things could have been different for her but life doesn't always allow for such. Overall great movie and not typically a big fan of Anne Hathaway but enjoyed this.

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.

For once a period drama that does not try to make it into a 21st C movie- women should have been.....then. But they weren't.I love period drama or comedies as so much attention is given- ( I have ADD and notice the details & continuity lol) and these are splendid. The trees are splendid!Emma is acted as a young women who acts as if she were older at any age than we are as their length of life was often much shorter, especially for women in pregnancy, laboyr. It was contractual- title for money and family continuity.Our Emma is well educated which was a luxury in the early 1800's , and if not as much of a reader as other heroines in Austin's books, well read. Reading for self was as important as exercise or music, and entertaining .At least here we can see how their life was, and how it could've different as it was for Jane Austin herself, who was very observant, well spoken and an avid reader and thinker. No doubt she paid attention to societal differences, and news as well. She could foresee more, clearly.The opening is delightful with a lovely but simple twirling decoration, and the story of village lives begins.It is remarkable how close they all were. I believe especially if you visit Upper Canada Village (near Iroquois, ON- eastern Ontario) you can see how this would be, yet so hard for us to imagine.It's hard to believe that it was so, when in an apartment building where one hardly sees anyone, nor is greeted by anyone.ever.Gwyneth Paltrow is perfect if too thin for that era, out-going, generous, a bit snobbish, thoughtful of her actions and so loved that she can recover from her own thoughtlessness with deeper thought, quite quickly. Toni Collette is energetic, enthusiastic but unsure and is the friend who's life Emma directs, with varying results until her friend shines as herself , after experiencing much sorrow and uncertainty.Emma does try to make amends which is still hard to do even if her status should make it easier. It is good that she bothers given her status, and that is part of the human connection between two totally divergent times, hers and ours.Points are made about true love and acceptance of the other being the point of a happy marriage, unlike the rector who married for money, basically, and has a social climbing, poorly mannered, wealthy wife.There is no question that one will be married, have lots of children, and learn the consequences of actions without thought. Charity she gave but not kindness. How valuable for us to consider ourselves.The movie has lush pastoral photography, scenery, clothing, furnishings and wonderful styles of carriages and horses. They are magnificent. Never any dirt on them from travelling!Even with her warm circle of friends, her very high thinking of herself, Emma can consider her activities, actions and consequences, even if a bit late, as a self-styled village matchmaker.As Austin's other books add, life can be very hard especially on reputation and like Dickens, we become aware of society's poverty, the neglected, perceptions, harshness, the need for courage, kindness, forgiveness and true charity regardless of social class.Emma at times is funny and all of of the performances fantastic. At the time people were away for far longer given horses, bad roads, freezing bumpy carriages, poor communication and social demands that were very strict.I love this movie; I love the gargantuan trees that we just don't have, why I don't know. The buildings are lovely, and it is so much for the eyes and senses. A beautifully constructed movie both light, fun and serious all interwoven amo gst gorgeous roses and spring scenes.I watch this to lift me up, lighten the world, which it always does!I love Jeremy Northam!

Dieser Film ist wirklich erhellend. Zum einen muntert er mich durch seinen feinen Humor auf und zum anderen wird er durch die Heldin erhellt, die diesmal nicht brünett ist, sondern blond in ihrer Reinheit und Güte strahlt. Aber halt, so ist es um die Titelheldin nun auch nicht ganz bestellt, denn sie zeigt hier auch ihre weniger vorteilhafte, wenn nicht gesagt ambivalente Seite. Zum einen kümmert sie sich um die Armen, zum anderen möchte sie mit Leuten, die unter ihrem Stand stehen, nicht enger in Kontakt treten. So regt sie sich ein paar Mal über Miss Bates auf, die ihr immer wieder Geschichten über Jane Fairfax erzählt, die sie eigentlich gar nicht hören möchte, vielleicht auch deshalb, weil sie sich dann mit ihr messen müsste, wäre sie ersteinmal in Highbury.Seid Miss Taylor, ihre ehemalige Erzieherin, verheiratet ist und Emma glaubt, dass sie zu dem Glück beigetragen hat, widmet sie sich nun Harriet Smith, die sie glücklich verheiratet sehen möchte. Harriet steht eigentlich unter ihrem Stand, doch in diesem Fall bildet sie sich ein und bestärkt ihre Freundin auch darin, dass sie bestimmt vom Adel abstamme. Als Miss Smith Emma gesteht, dass sie sich für den Bauer Mr. Martin interessiert, vereitelt Emma ihr diese mögliche Chance auf Heirat und redet ihr es aus, indem sie ihr klarmacht, dass dieser Mann ihr nicht ebenbürtig ist. Mr. Knightley, der lange Freund und Nachbar von Emma und ihrem Vater, stellt sie zur Rede und möchte ihr klarmachen, dass es wohl Harriet ist, die weit unter dem Stand von Mr. Martin steht und sie froh sein könnte, wenn er sie heiraten würde. Doch das will Emma nicht hören. Für sie ist es klar, dass sie ihrer Freundin einen guten Rat gegeben hat und schon wird ein neues Opfer für Harriet ausgesucht. Diesmal ist es Mr. Elton, der eine Pfarrei besitzt. Doch dieser ist zum Leidwesen von Emma in sie selbst verliebt. Entsetzt lehnt sie seine Liebesschwüre ab. Trotz allem, dass dieser Versuch auch scheiterte, Harriet an den Mann zu bringen, lässt sich Emma nicht von ihren Verkupplungsversuchen abbringen, obwohl ihre Freundin unter der Abfuhr von Mr. Elton sehr leidet. Emma benutzt ihre Freundin wie eine Spielfigur und merkt nicht, dass sie auch mit den Gefühlen der anderen spielt. Bis sie merkt, dass auch sie verletztlich ist, denn plötzlich ist ihr eigenes Glück bedroht. Auf einmal versteht sie, dass sie durch ihr egoistisches Verhalten, mehr als eine Person weh getan hat....Jane Austen erschuf eine Heldin, die auf dem ersten Blick keine Heldin ist, sondern eine Person, die mehr negative Vorzüge hat, als positive. Doch durch die Erfahrungen, Ereignisse und letztendlich die Erkenntnis, die sie im Verlauf der Geschichte erfährt, wird aus der egozentrischen, teils kapriziösen Emma ein einfühlsamer Mensch, der erkennt, dass sich jeder sein Glück selber aussuchen kann. Gwyneth Paltrow spielt diese Rolle glaubhaft und obwohl ich die Hauptperson gerne brünett und weiblicher gesehen hätte, hat sie mir gut gefallen, weil sie trotz der unsympatischen Seite ihres Charakters, niemals boshaft herüber kommt, so dass ich sie gegen Ende des Filmes sogar richtig lieb gewann.Es ist ein Film mit sehr viel Austenschen Humor, der hier an keiner Stelle zu kurz kommt. Hier ist also gut zwei Stunden Schmunzeln angesagt. Natürlich versprüht der Film eine gehörige Portion Hollywoodglamour, aber an anderer Stelle spürt man auch den dazugehörigen Ernst, so dass dadurch die Aussage des Romanes nach meiner Ansicht nicht verloren ging. Ich liebe auch die erhellenden Farben in dem Film und das bezaubernde Ende passt perfekt in diese schönen "Sonnenscheinbilder".Fazit: Ein romantischer Film, der eine Moral am Ende nicht vermissen lässt: "Jeder sollte sich seinen Partner fürs Leben selber aussuchen dürfen".

"Bezaubernd, bezaubernd", ruft Sophie Thompson als Miss Bates aus, als sie der erlauchten Gesellschaft von Highbury ansichtig wird. Und das Publikum schließt sich ihren (zugegebenermaßen etwas albernen) Worten gerne an. Denn die verwöhnte, wunderschöne junge Miss Emma Woodhouse, dargestellt durch die elfenhafte Gwyneth Paltrow, gestaltet ihre kleine Welt wie einen geschmackvollen Garten, wo sich die Wolken schlechter Neuigkeiten schnell verziehen und die Sonne für ein angenehmes Picknick mit Champagner, Erdbeeren und Sandwichs lockt. Da kann nicht mal Emmas bester, ältester Freund, Mr. Knightley, widerstehen und versüßt damit noch das vollkommene Glück des kleinen Bundes.Die Geschichte von Highbury ist indes schnell erzählt: Die 21jährige Emma Woodhouse ist ein geachtetes Mitglied der Gesellschaft. In ihrer Welt des frühen 19. Jahrhunderts ist sie mit allen Vorzügen ausgestattet, die sich eine englische Lady nur wünschen kann. Sie ist jung, gutaussehend, reich und gesellschaftlich angesehen. Da ihr Status aus ihrer Sicht eigentlich kaum verbessert werden kann, käme für sie nur eine Heirat aus Liebe in Frage. Doch da ihr Naturell scheinbar nicht zum verlieben neigt und ihr bisher kein geeigneter Bewerber begegnet ist, verfolgt sie keine Heiratspläne.In ihrer hervorragenden Position scheint es ihr ein Leichtes anderen zu ihrem Lebensglück zu verhelfen. Und da es ihr so gut gelungen ist, ihre Gesellschafterin mit einem reichen Witwer, Mr. Weston, zu verbinden, möchte sie auch weiter die Kupplerin spielen. Ein gutes Opfer scheint hier der neue Landpfarrer zu sein, der doch wie geschaffen ist für die süße, aber arme Harriet Smith, welche Emma in ihr Herz geschlossen hat. Allerdings entwickeln sich die Dinge etwas anders als erwartet, doch am Ende sind alle Liebenden vereint.Diese Produktion hatte den großen Vorteil vor der nur kurz danach veröffentlichten Adaption von BBC mit Kate Beckinsale als Emma Woodhouse das Publikum zu begeistern und sich einen großen Zuschauerbonus in den Kinosälen der Welt zu sichern. Während der Film von BBC näher an der Buchvorlage des Klassikers von Jane Austen bleibt und mehr in die Tiefe geht, besticht der vorliegende Film durch charmante Dialoge, angenehme Schauspieler und einen sehr romantischen Heiratsantrag.Da sich der Film sehr stark auf die Hauptpersonen der Handlung konzentriert, bleiben einige Figuren für den Zuschauer etwas nebulös. Wieso ist z.b. Jane Fairfax bei Emma so verhasst? Auch Mr. Churchill bleibt ein sehr zurückhaltender Herzensbrecher und fällt nicht weiter auf.Im Gegensatz dazu wird wohl niemand Emma verdenken, dass sie ihr Herz schließlich doch noch an Mr. Knightley verliert. Jeremy Northam ist im klassischen Sinne wohl etwas zu jung und attraktiv für die Rolle des ältlichen Freundes, aber romantische Seelen kommen hier voll auf ihre Kosten.Fazit: Darf in keiner Jane Austen Sammlung fehlen. Wer allerdings nicht wirklich auf "Kostümfilme" steht, läuft Gefahr bei all dem liebreizenden Geplauder einzunicken und den zauberhaften Heiratsantrag unter Bäumen zu verpassen!

"Ich werde eine Heldin erschaffen, die niemand außer mir selbst besonders mögen wird." Jane Austens über ihre Titelfigur Emma.Kurzfassung:Emma Woodhouse ist eine junge Frau von 21 Jahren, die behütet und geliebt auf dem Land aufwächst. Ihr Vater macht sich seit dem Tod seiner geliebten Frau ständig Sorgen um die Gesundheit sämtlicher Verwandten und Bekannten und ist alles andere als ein strenger Vater. Seine ältere Tochter ist bereits verheiratet und hat fünf Kinder, während Emma gar nicht daran denkt, ihre Freiheit aufzugeben. Wozu auch, als reiche Erbin hat sie es im Gegensatz zu anderen Mädchen und Frauen ihrer Zeit nicht nötig nach einem Mann Ausschau zu halten, der sie versorgt. Stattdessen versucht sich Emma als Kupplerin, doch die einzige Person, die sie tatsächlich an den Mann bringt, ist ihre eigene Gouvernante. Ansonsten steigt sie öfters in ein Fettnäpfchen und zerstört beinahe das Glück mehrerer Personen, darunter auch ihr eigenes.Emma ist ein hervorragend ausgestatteter Kostümfilm mit sichtlich gut aufgelegten Darstellern, die ihre Rollen mit viel Spielfreude und Authentizität anlegen, allen voran Gwyneth Paltrow, die als Emma ganz reizend ist. Die übrigen Rollen sind mit Toni Colette, die die Figur der Harriet Smith herrlich naiv anlegt, Ewan McGregor, der als Mr. Churchill das richtige Maß an Witz, Arroganz und Sorglosigkeit an den Tag legt, und Jeremy Northam als Mr. Knightley, der als Emmas bester Freund manchmal an deren Güte und Mitgefühl zweifeln muss, hervorragend besetzt.Enttäuscht bin ich hingegen vom dürftigen Bonusmaterial, das bei weitem nicht so umfangreich ist wie bei einer Blu-ray zu erwarten gewesen wäre. Es gibt ein Featurette und einige Interviews sowie einen Blick hinter die Kulissen und natürlich den Trailer, aber das war's dann auch schon. Auch die grobkörnige Bildqualität konnte nicht überzeugen. Deshalb gebe ich der Filmadaption mit Gwyneth Paltrow, die die Hauptfigur der Emma Woodhouse reizend darstellt, die volle Punktzahl, während ich die mageren Extras nur mit drei Sternen bewerte.Den Film empfehle ich allen, die Lust auf einen amüsanten Film haben, der gänzlich ohne Gewalt und Sex auskommt, und sich eineinhalb romanische Filmstunden gönnen möchten.

This a great feel-good film and one which I always reach for when I want some light entertainment and romance. I also love the Kate Beckinsale version and usually I always have a preference for one or other where there are two adaptations of a story to pick from, but in this case they really are on a par. They are individual pieces, both very well made with much to recommend them.Although this is a Hollywood version, with lavish costumes and beautiful settings, it is not over-glitzy or modernized in any way. Gwyneth Paltrow, who I always like, plays a brilliant character with elegant poise and a perfect english accent. Emma is the most frivolous and perhaps least easy to like of all Austen's heroines, but she manages to play her in such a way as to make the viewer understand and love her all the same. By the end, she has matured and learnt so much and it is the natural progression for her to realise her feelings for Mr Knightly and marry him.The story is packed with humour as Emma sets about match-making and meddling in the lives of almost everyone she meets, ultimately resulting in disaster. The scene at Box Hill is brilliantly done and is definitely a highlight of the show. The proposal scene with Mr Elton is also hilarious. Ewan McGregor is perfect as the dashing but roguish Frank Churchill and Sophie Thompson captures the ridiculous but loveable Miss Bates. Also look out for a fleeting glimpse of Corrie's Richard Hillmann (Brian Capron) as John Knightly.