Director: Jim O’Hanlon
Writers: Jane Austen, Sandy Welch
Stars: Romola Garai, Michael Gambon, Jonny Lee Miller
Release Date: January 24, 2010
Emma Woodhouse seems to be perfectly content, a loving father whom she cares for, friends, and a home. But Emma has a terrible habit – matchmaking. She cannot resist finding suitors for her friends, most of all Harriet Smith. Emma is desperate for Harriet to find happiness, but every suitor she finds for her friend ends up attracted to Emma herself. But is Emma so focused on Harriet’s happiness that she is not considering her own happiness in love?
First, just a quick summary of Jane Austen’s novel Emma. Emma Woodhouse is a matchmaker made in heaven, or in hell as her cupid’s arrow doesn’t always land in the right place. Emma flutters around pronouncing that everyone must marry except herself who has sworn off the proposal. That is, until she realizes she has sabotaged herself.
Romola Gari is the perfect Emma. She does a wonderful job of blending selfishness, naivety and kindness together (because she does mean well). And because of this acting you can’t help but love her.
Don’t ask me how but I corralled my dad into watching it as well and actually enjoyed it! I must tell you I was surprised by that. Although, we were both in agreement that Romola’s facial expression are fantastic making the film that much more enjoyable.
Of course I can not write this review without mentioning Mr. Knightly played by Jonny Lee Miller. He was also wonderful in the role, Knightly is a little like Mr. Darcy as he is a character you love and despise at the same time. He also has some great lines one in which he comments how he doesn’t understand how Mr Elton can stay on his horse with that big head of his. Lastly, one if not my favorite scene is when Mr Knightly tells Emma off for the rude comments she made toward Jane Fairfax; as it is said with such passion and contempt. Although sometimes I wonder if some of it was an act.
By far this is my favorite Emma, with no singular thing that makes it so, as it is wonderful and perfect as a whole.
Oh my too!
I simply loved loved loved it.
RG was utter perfection.
JLM *swoon*
I'm so glad you loved this one 🙂
I like that you had your dad watch it! What a good sport.
I haven't seen this one — but am hoping Netflix has a copy of this?
Juju–RG is perfection! There's no other way to put it.
Brenna– I have no idea how that happened. But we were both pleasantly surprised that he liked it.
Coffee and a Book Chick– I highly recommend this adaptation. Yes, Netflix does have this that's how I had the pleasure of seeing it. Oh, and FYI it's on two discs.
I couldn't agree more. RG was exactly the Emma I pictured when I first read the books years ago.
I haven't seen this version–I will have to correct that in the near future 🙂
I agree with you, Romola makes Emma alive. She is a great Emma, my favourite as well.
Jenn–Down to every pore.
Felicia–Correcting is a must. It's a fantastic version.
Irena–I couldn't have put it better.
I loved it too. It was so well cast.
Clearly, the best adaptation of "Emma" yet. This is one that I'd like to own myself. Nice review. Cheers! Chris
How cool that your dad watched it…most guys are not much into Austen.
I have to confess that my favorite Emma is the Gwyneth Paltrow one. I just loved, loved her in the role 🙂
I'll have to give this a whirl. Haven't seen it before. Just watched Sense and Sensibility last night on tv — with Emma Thompson.
I haven't watched this one yet! I want to! 🙂 This weekend maybe 🙂