Amazon.co.uk Review
Most people didn't mind Gwyneth Paltrow's English accent in this charming, 1996 adaptation of Jane Austen's novel (which also inspired
Clueless). But even if it doesn't sound quite right to you, there are plenty of authentic and wonderful Brit thespians in this film by screenwriter-turned-director Douglas McGrath (co-author of Woody Allen's
Bullets Over Broadway), including Juliet Stevenson (
Truly Madly Deeply), Alan Cumming (
Buddy), Phyllida Law (
Much Ado About Nothing), Ewan McGregor (the Scots star of
Trainspotting), and Sophie Thompson, outstanding and finally heartbreaking as the chattering Miss Bates. Paltrow plays Austen's benign busybody, Emma Woodhouse--so busy trying to arrange the lives of others that she is sidestepping her own. McGrath brings a kind of pretty and light touch to the production, his best move the wise delegation of creative authority to the actors themselves.
--Tom Keogh
Amazon.co.uk Review
Most people didn't mind Gwyneth Paltrow's English accent in this charming 1996 adaptation of Jane Austen's novel
Emma. There are also plenty of authentic and wonderful Brit thespians in this film by screenwriter-turned-director Douglas McGrath (co-author of Woody Allen's
Bullets Over Broadway), including Juliet Stevenson (
Truly Madly Deeply), Phyllida Law (
Much Ado About Nothing), Ewan McGregor and Sophie Thompson who offers an outstanding and finally heartbreaking turn as the chattering Miss Bates. Paltrow plays Austen's benign busybody, Emma Woodhouse--so busy trying to arrange the lives of others that she is sidestepping her own. McGrath brings a kind of pretty and light touch to the production; his best move the wise delegation of creative authority to the actors themselves.--
Tom Keogh, Amazon.com Emma Thompson scores a double bull's-eye with this marvellous adaptation of Jane Austen's novel. Not only does Thompson turn in a strong (and gently humorous) performance as Elinor Dashwood--the one with "sense"--she also wrote the witty screenplay. Austen's tale of 19th-century manners and morals provides a large cast with a feast of possibilities, notably Kate Winslet, in her pre-Titanic flowering, as Thompson's deeply romantic sister, Marianne (the one with "sensibility"). Winslet attracts the wooing of shy Alan Rickman (a nice change of pace from his bad-guy roles) and dashing Greg Wise, while Thompson must endure an incredibly roundabout courtship with Hugh Grant, here in fine and funny form. All of this is doled out with the usual eye-filling English countryside and handsome costumes, yet the film always seems to be about the careful interior lives of its characters. The director, an inspired choice, is Taiwan-born Ang Lee, who brings the same exquisite taste and discreet touch he displayed in his previous films. Thompson's script won an Oscar.--Robert Horton, Amazon.com
Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
English
Region 2
Dolby Surround English
Dolby Surround
