Synopsis
Emma Woodhouse is a congenial young lady who delights in meddling in other people’s affairs. She is perpetually trying to unite men and women who are utterly wrong for each other. Despite her interest in romance, Emma is clueless about her own feelings, and her relationship with gentle Mr. Knightly.
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Cast
- Gwyneth PaltrowEmma Woodhouse
- Toni ColletteHarriet Smith
- Alan CummingMr. Elton
- Ewan McGregorFrank Churchill
- Jeremy NorthamMr. Knightley
- Greta ScacchiMrs. Weston
- Juliet StevensonMrs. Elton
- Polly WalkerJane Fairfax
- Sophie ThompsonMiss Bates
- Denys HawthorneMr. Woodhouse
- 89
Austin Chronicle
Despite my lack of Austen education, I found the film to be thoroughly engaging and surprisingly touching, so I can only imagine how pleased a true Austen-ite may be with Emma. - 88
Rolling Stone
McGrath's script is faithful: fierce when it needs to be and devilishly funny. - 80
The New York Times
Gwyneth Paltrow makes a resplendent Emma, gliding through the film with an elegance and patrician wit that bring the young Katharine Hepburn to mind. - 75
Chicago Sun-Times
Yet in its high spirits and wicked good humor, Emma is a delightful film--second only to "Persuasion" among the modern Austen movies, and funnier, if not so insightful. - 75
ReelViews
Emma lacks the depth of passion present in the other Austen films, but, in large part because it's trying for something lighter and breezier, it's still fun. - 60
Los Angeles Times
As the only Austen work to be named after its heroine, Emma must have an engaging performance in the title role to succeed at all, and fortunately Gwyneth Paltrow, after a slow start, completely wins us over. - 50
Washington Post
What McGrath's Emma does have going for it is a breakthrough performance from Gwyneth Paltrow as the heroine. - 50
San Francisco Chronicle
The subtle ironies of Austen's novel are rendered obvious, and the book's social satire gives way here to more straightforward romantic comedy.