#39 "Emma"

Stats: 1996. Starring Gwyneth Paltrow & Jeremy Northam. PG.

Background: I first watched Emma during my senior year of high school with my friend Kiel. We were supposed to go bowling with my youth group, but when we got to the bowling alley, no one we knew was there. (Turns out there were two bowling alleys in town, and they were at the other one.) So, we rented a movie instead … and I promptly fell asleep! A few years later, I watched Emma again and discovered that I really liked it.

Plot: Emma Woodhouse loves nothing more than helping others fall in love. She has one successful match, which leads her to believe she knows much about love. However, when she tries to find a husband for her new friend Harriet Smith, she realizes she may not be as skilled at matchmaking as she thought. And, of course, there’s Mr. Knightly, the man Emma loves—she just doesn’t realize it yet!

Reaction: A couple years ago, I saw the A&E version of Emma (starring Kate Beckinsale), and I thought it was superior to this version. Then in January, I saw the new BBC version, which I immediately deemed the best by a longshot. So when this Emma came up in the rotation, I actually dreaded watching it. I was pleasantly surprised! Jeremy Northam makes a fine Mr. Knightly—I remember not particularly caring for him before. I love how the viewer can see his burgeoning feelings for Emma, while Emma herself remains completely oblivious. Emma is not particularly likeable as portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow; she is at times petulant, stuck up, rude, and a know-it-all. Is that an accurate portrayal? I wouldn't know, as I've never actually read the book!

One thing hit me while watching this today: Perhaps the reason Emma can’t stand Mrs. Elton is that Mrs. Elton has some of the same undesirable traits that Emma herself has, only they’re exaggerated in Mrs. Elton!

I ended up borrowing my sister's copy of the Kate Beckinsale version, and I watched it shortly after watching this one ... and, wouldn't you know, my opinion changed! I vastly preferred this version to that one. Of course, that could have something to do with the fact that the Knightly of that version is played by the villain from the new Sherlock Holmes, and I found it difficult to root for him!

Verdict: Keep