Emma (2009)

This is quite a pleasant version of a great classic story. I found myself comparing it to the Kate Beckinsale version, which had been my favorite up to that time. Here are a few observations I made:Romola Garai makes an outgoing and enthusiastic Emma, more impulsive than Kate Beckinsale's version of the title character (although not necessarily better). The one flaw I found was that her demeanor was sometimes distractingly modern. She was a little too inclined to show her feelings by her posture and facial expressions, which would have been strongly discouraged during that era in history. Other than that, her character was certainly believable.I was looking forward to Michael Gambone in the role of Emma's father, but his performance seemed subdued and humorless. I know he's capable of far better, but perhaps he was encouraged to play it down for this role. That's a shame, because it doesn't provide much motivation for Emma's affectionate behavior toward her father. He comes across as something of an albatross around her neck, rather than a lovable elderly man with a few human frailties. Mr. Knightley in the Kate Beckinsale version is attractive, but seems lacking in humor. Mr. Knightley in this version is less commanding in appearance, but seems to enjoy Emma, even as he rebukes her. I get the impression that she makes him laugh, and I can imagine them living happily ever after. He's less significant on the screen, but that actually makes it more effective, I think, because it's easy to understand why Emma would have taken him for granted.Harriet Smith is quite lovely in this version. She doesn't have Emma's strength of personality, but it's easy to imagine Emma visualizing the possibility of her marrying above her social station, with some careful coaching and matchmaking. Jane Fairfax seems sweet and emotionally vulnerable. It's easy to empathize with her from the onset, whereas Jane in the Kate Beckinsale version is somewhat intimidating in her seamless reserve and composure. I suspect that the latter version comes closer to what Jane Austen envisioned, but both versions are effective in their own way.To sum it up, I like them both in different ways. That's one great thing about Jane Austen's writings: we all have our own ideas about how they should be interpreted on the screen, and it's as much fun to compare the various versions as it is to watch them.

Richly produced, endearing version of the Jane Austen classic, Romola is spirited and charming in the title role with Jonny Lee Miller a most desirable and solid Mr. Knightley. While it is a fine rendering the excellent Gwyneth Paltrow version cast a shadow over this if you've seen it. Again the leads are very good and although different are a fine match who inhabit the characters fully. Where this version falls short is the supporting cast, they are professional but don't really stand out as Polly Walker, Toni Collette and Ewan MacGregor did in the 1996 film. The one who comes closest is Jodhi May as Mrs. Weston but still Greta Scacchi had a knowing stillness that is missing. The one who is really missed is the matchless Sophie Thompson who was a brilliant Miss Bates, it would be impossible to improve on her classic performance and the actress who essays the role here doesn't try, giving a much more recessive interpretation which while good is rather colorless. Taken on it's own though without comparisons to the other version this is a very solid BBC offering.

This is such a fun, refreshing mini-series. Wonderfully cast -- you can see the chemistry between Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller. The banter is very enjoyable! I found myself smiling all throughout the series and laughing at the wit of the characters.The first time I watched this, I found myself glued for four hours. I watched it a second time, and had a better appreciation of the story. I was still laughing at the lines and the wit! JLM is perfect as Mr. Knightley, he is funny in the sarcastic moments and yet can make ladies swoon during the moments when he shows such gentlemanly behaviors.I guess the only drawback I had here was that Isabella Knightly looked older than Anne Weston. I think Mrs Weston should have looked older since she was their governess. Also, George Knightly looked younger than John Knightly, but he is obviously the older brother because he was master of Donwell Abbey. Other than that, everything was just right.

This was a tedious 4 hours to sit through. What a silly movie. I'm not saying it was beneath Jane Austen to write a comedy; I wasn't expecting it though. I also watched the Gwenyth Paltrow version and remembered it as being silly. The only thing is - I didn't know that this was the basis for Clueless when I watched it. This time I did know and so I sat drawing parallels. Watching this raises my opinion of Clueless but I digress.The one scene I did really like was George Knightly's declaration. I was very moved. This is Jane Austen Lite which is quite weird since she wrote it herself. There is no character comparable to Wickham or Willoughby. Churchill is closer to Mr. Collins than either of them. There is no character comparable to Elinor or Elizabeth. BBC adaptations are so faithful that I fear reading the book at this point.