Viewed in
1997, 2012
Formats
VHS, Netflix streaming
Premise
Gwenyth Paltrow stars in the adaptation of Jane Austen's book about an 1800's English woman matchmaker whose latest attempts to find her friend a husband creates unexpected results.
Liked
Cast.
Disliked
Distracting camera movement.
Thoughts
It's got its cute moments.
Overall, all the actors/actresses were very likable and well-cast. Paltrow was charming as the titular character. But I really enjoyed Alan Cumming and Juliet Stevenson with hilariously smarmy portrayals of characters you love to hate. Another fun performance was Sophie Thompson (Emma Thompson's real-life sister) as chatterbox Miss Bates.
I guess future-Jedi Ewan McGregor was good too, but I was too distracted by the atrocity of hair that made him look like Willy Wonka after an all-night bender.
Like her books, the film suffers from predictable Austen story lines, such as the male "friend" who isn't afraid to call our the heroine on her flaws, or the smooth-talking suitor who's not as honorable as he appears. If you're familiar with her works or corresponding film adaptions, don't expect surprises.
What I didn't like was the odd cinematic choices. I think the director tried to get too cute with camera movements, instead of focusing on getting some photogenic close ups of the talented cast. It was distracting to say the least.
My mom is a Jane Austen expert, so I take her word that this was one of her lesser works. As a movie, Emma was lighter, but lesser, compared to other recent Austen film adaptations. Nevertheless, it was light-hearted fun, thanks to the charming cast.
