I’ve been spending some time with my mom this weekend so we’ve been having a bit of a movie and t.v. marathon and have watched some Cadfael, a couple of novelas, a great Golden Age Mexican film and Emma.
How I loved this movie. Now, I have a bad memory and it’s been a while since I read Emma, but I found this to be a great adaptation of the book. I thought Kate Beckinsale was a very believable as Emma, who was intelligent, graceful, stubborn and of course a bit misguided when it came to all her matchmaking.
Some of my favorite scenes were the ones where she has her little daydreams. I don’t remember those being part of the book at all but they worked well for me. And, there is a scene where Mr. Elton tells Emma that he was encouraged by her attention and the look on her face as she realizes where the conversation is headed is just priceless.
Of course the big moment for me was really at the picnic where Mr. Knightley confronts Emma on her behavior toward Miss Bates. I know Emma has a lot to learn but right there I think she finally got it. She finally realized that her actions could really hurt people.
So, this was a delightful movie with what I thought was a great cast. Some of my favorite characters were Mr. Knightley (of course), Harriet Smith, Mr. Woodhouse, Mrs. Elton and even Frank Churchill. So one down for my Everything Austen challenge. I think my mom and I may watch Pride & Prejudice too so I’ll let you know.
Now, I’ve not seen the Gwenyth Paltrow version but what do you think? Have you seen both and which was your favorite?
I have to say that I avoid ‘Emma’ like the plague. It was one of my set texts for A-Level and taught by an appallingly bad teacher, who ruined it for me. It was a standing joke in our house because it took me (someone who normally devours at least two books a week) almost a year to read it. And I know this deeply unfair. I love all the other Austin novels. I must go back and give it another go so that I can watch the films and then let you know what I think of them.
I’ve not read Emma yet (although I have it on my shelf) and seen neither of the movies. So I am no help at all. But I will check back to see what other people think, as I would like to watch the better of the two after I’ve read it!
I had trouble with Emma on the first reading but the second reading I fell in love. You watched the good version of Emma. I don’t much care for the Paltrow version, they changed too much from the book and Paltrow just isn’t right. If you watch P&P, be sure to watch the one with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy! Yummy 🙂
I saw the Gwenyth Paltrow version ages ago but not this one although I’ve heard this one is better. I must try to watch it some time.
Table Talk – I hate it when a good book is ruined by a bad teacher. Actually that’s why I always say I hate math… I had horrible math teachers! Anyway, I do hope you’ll give Emma another try. I loved it.
Sandy – Well, you are no help girl! haha… I would say see this Emma first. Just charming.
Stefanie – We did watch P&P (well a part) late into the night. Oh what wonderful eye candy with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy! 🙂
tanabata – Did you like it? I heard it was fun. I may watch it one day – I actually have it but I’ll probably wait a good while before trying it.
I have to say that Emma was my least favorite Austen books, but I loved the movie version with Gwyneth Paltrow. Now, I’ve got to get this one on my Netflix que!
Oo I don’t think I’ve seen this version of Emma! I will definitely be looking for it now!
I haven’t read or watch Emma; I’ve only done so in P&P and I love both the book and the film adaptation. Will have to look out for this one! 😉
I haven’t seen this version of Emma, but you’ve convinced me to watch it. I did see the Gwyneth Paltrow, and I thought it was good—very faithful to the book. I wonder if you’ve seen Clueless? It’s a great adaptation of Emma, too, albeit modern and with some liberties taken. If I were ever to teach Emma to high schoolers, we’d probably watch Clueless.
You should definitely watch that version of Pride and Prejudice (1996). Colin Firth is excellent as Mr. Darcy. For my money, a really underrated Austen adaptation is Persuasion with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds.
I read Emma via DailyLit, and there were some problems with it. The segments were cut off in the middle of sentences and that sort of thing. I didn’t like that book as much as the other Austen novels I’ve read (I have not read Mansfield Park, but I’ve read all the others).
If you want to watch a good period drama and haven’t seen it yet, you might like The Duchess with Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes. I watched it today and became so interested, I put the biography it’s based on, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman, on hold at the library.
Oops. I should read all your comments before I reply. I’m glad you are watching P&P! It’s long, but very faithful and very well done.
TableTalk, as an English teacher, it saddens me so much that you had a teacher ruin a book for you. What a tragedy! You might want to try Emma again on DailyLit. The site owner said they were going to try to fix the problems I had with it (and truthfully, all I had to do was get the next installment to fix it). That way you can try it in little pieces to see if you like it better this time. I never could have read Moby Dick if I hadn’t tried it on DailyLit.
jenclair – I get the feeling Emma is not the most loved Austen novel. I can understand as Emma is not the most likable of girls but I think she just grew on me. I think I’ll have to see the Gwenyth version just to see the difference.
Sharry – I hope you do see it. It’s so good!
Melody – I would love to hear what you think of Emma. Maybe that’ll be your next Austen book 🙂
Dana Huff – I have seen Clueless and thought it was so fun. I even have the soundtrack! Absolutely loving P&P (we may finish it tonight) and I’ll have to add Persuasion to my list of movies to watch. Actually, I’m planning to read Persuasion next so I may just hold off on the movie for a bit. I’ve heard of The Duchess too and I think I may have that on my shelf thanks to one of my friends who sent me some movies recently. I do love period pieces so I think I’ll enjoy this one.
I haven’t seen that version of Emma, but I should! I did see the Paltrow one and thought it was just okay. What I really liked was Clueless, the modern retelling of the story.
I love watching movies with good friends or my mom, though my mom tends to fall asleep.
I know I’ve seen this but cannot remember it as well as I remember the Paltrow version – which I did enjoy.
I haven’t seen either version, but I have one of them on my Netflix list. I’ll have to check out which one. This one sounds good!
Have fun w/your mom!
I love the Paltrow version! Jeremy Northam is just yummy! I’ll have to rewatch the Kate Beckinsale version since the first time I watched it I thought it was a bit boring…
Did I like it? I have to admit that I actually don’t remember a lot about it, it really was quite a long time ago that I saw it. Maybe I should just watch both of them. 😛
I’ve only seen the Gwenyth Paltrow version, but really enjoyed it.