Based on Jane Austen's novel of the same name, Emma is about Miss Emma Woodhouse (Kate Beckinsale), the queen bee of Highbury. Emma, triumphant over matching up her governess with a neighbor, sets out to find a match for the parson, Mr. Elton (Dominic Rowan). She promptly succeeds in embroiling herself and her closest friend, Harriet Smith (Samantha Morton), in a tangled series of events.
Pros: Jane Austen's books (and their adaptations) prove that romantic comedies are much funnier if they aren't crude. Frank Churchill (Raymond Coulthard), Harriet, Mr. Elton, and the ever-annoying Miss Bates (Prunella Scales) are very well acted.
Cons: I must admit that this isn't my favorite adaptation of Emma. I have read the book twice and seen three movie versions, so I have a very set idea of what the characters should be like. This version's Emma has little of the grace, elegance, and sense of superiority that she should have and comes across as merely silly and immature. Mr. Knightley (Mark Strong) is rather too harsh - as if they chose one aspect of his character and blew it up to become his entire character. Emma's imaginary wedding scenes are a bit too much.
My Rating: OK (some speculation about an affair)
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