Emma
Emma

Emma

1996Movie121 minEnglish

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. Knightley.

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Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes77%
Metacritic70/100
Google Users83%
Director: Douglas McGrathGenres: Comedy, Romance, Drama

Plot Summary

In Regency-era England, the well-meaning but meddlesome Emma Woodhouse amuses herself by playing matchmaker for her friends and acquaintances. Despite her own lack of romantic experience, she takes it upon herself to arrange pairings, often with disastrous and humorous results. As Emma navigates the social intricacies and her own evolving understanding of love and friendship, she begins to realize her own misconceptions about human nature and her own heart.

Critical Reception

Emma was generally well-received by critics, who praised its faithful adaptation of Jane Austen's novel, its charming performances, and its witty screenplay. Audiences also responded positively to its lighthearted tone and romantic entanglements, making it a successful and beloved film adaptation.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its charming and faithful adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel.
  • Gwyneth Paltrow's performance as Emma Woodhouse was widely acclaimed.
  • Noted for its witty dialogue and visually appealing period setting.

Google audience: Google users largely enjoyed 'Emma (1996)', appreciating its faithful adaptation of the beloved novel, the delightful performances, and the charming romantic comedy elements. Many found it to be a light, enjoyable, and well-made period piece.

Awards & Accolades

Gwyneth Paltrow won a Golden Globe for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. The film also received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design.

Fun Fact

Gwyneth Paltrow famously wore a pair of her own ballet flats in the film because she felt they were more practical for the character's age and demeanor than the period-appropriate, more formal footwear available.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Hmmm. I'm not really an huge Jane Austen fan - and "Emma" is one of her least engaging stories, I find. Gwyneth Paltrow takes on the mantle of the title character, a rather thoughtless young woman who spends way too much time interfering in...
Filipe Manuel Neto

Filipe Manuel Ne...

**A futile and silly Emma to be taken seriously, but entertaining and has some good moments.** Jane Austen is one of the great writers in the English language and her work has been fertile ground for adaptations and reinterpretations in ...
Peter McGinn

Peter McGinn

This is a fine production of the Jane Austen novel, though it is not among my top two favorite adaptations. Not for any serious problems, but rather due to minor decisions that were made in the script. I expected to see more of Emma’s visit...