Emma (1996 theatrical film)
- Gwyneth Paltrow: Emma Woodhouse
- Denys Hawthorne: Mr. Woodhouse
- Ewan McGregor: Frank Churchill
- Jeremy Northam: Mr. Knightley
- Greta Scacchi: Mrs. Weston
- James Cosmo: Mr. Weston
- Toni Collette: Harriet Smith
- Alan Cumming: Rev. Elton
- Juliet Stevenson: Mrs. Elton
- Sophie Thompson: Miss Bates
- Kathleen Byron: Mrs. Goddard
Emma is an American literary adaptation from the year 1996. It is based on the novel by Jane Austen. Directed by Douglas McGrath, the lead roles Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor, Greta Scacchi and Jeremy Northam.
Action
Highbury, a rural community in England in the early 19th century. Emma Woodhouse, a well-off young woman of 21 years, lives, since her older sister and her former nanny got married, now alone with her elderly father on the family estate. A welcome guest is her brother in law Mr. Knightley. The intelligent and righteous bachelor who is mid-thirties in the best age for marriage is to occasionally visit. She knows him since childhood. Together they operate, for example, archery and indulge in witty blow Abtauschen. Apart from this, but does not happen too much in Emma Woodhouse lives.
When Emma the acquaintance of Harriet Smith - a young woman of low status - power, she tries her to be a girlfriend and to marry her to a reasonable game. The advances of the farmer Robert Martin Harriet against judges Emma negative. She moves Harriet to reject his marriage proposal. As a suitable candidate floats her Mr. Elton, the local clergy, before. In fact, this seems to be interested in Miss Smith, what Emma says to his laudatory remarks about a portrait of Harriet, that she has drawn to recognize. However, on Christmas Eve, the hope is shattered unexpectedly. In an unguarded moment confesses Mr. Elton Emma that he loves her and wants to marry. He is horrified when Emma asks him her friend, because he keeps Harriet for far beneath his dignity. Emma, in turn, is appalled that Mr. Elton has dared to keep an eye on them yourself. A short time later, the insulted and injured Mr. Elton marries a young lady named Augusta Hawkins. Augusta Hawkins is the amusing caricature of an arrogant and conceited nouveau riche.
In the form of the charming Frank Churchill is approaching the next variety. Emma expects himself to fall in love with him, but what does not happen. In an ironic scene, it analyzes whether she is in love, if so, how much, and what symptoms they can diagnose the love. Frank Churchill, meanwhile secretly with Jane Fairfax, a penniless but clever and highly educated orphan from Highbury and niece of neighbor Miss Bates, engaged. The two keep their affection for each other but secretly, because Frank is dependent on a rich aunt who would not tolerate such a connection. Frank flirts with Emma for camouflage and is regarded as her admirer.
After Emma at a picnic unfair to Miss Bates, an impoverished spinster of the place, behaves, her friend Mr. Knightley is harsh with her to court because he keeps the bad behavior as a sign of the pernicious influence of Frank Churchill. Emma, who knows exactly how mean she was, is devastated. She wants Mr. Knightley restore good opinion of her and tries to Miss Bates. Mr. Knightley moves surprisingly to London to his brother.
When Harriet opened her that she has fallen in love with Mr. Knightley, Emma is just amazed; Harriet also believed that he reciprocates her feelings, Emma quickly recognize that they themselves not only appreciates Mr. Knightley, but loves. Despite her own feelings she assures Harriet that Mr. Knightley is the last man who would a woman's feelings that he did not act out.
The knot dissolves when Frank Churchill's aunt dies and Frank can make his engagement to Jane Fairfax public. Mr. Knightley rushes to Emma, because he fears Emma had been violated by the faithless Frank, and I will comfort you. Emma assures him their indifference towards Frank, and Mr. Knightley, who has long been in love with Emma begins to hope. He admits that he loves Emma, just out of town, because he was jealous and had suspected that she loved Mr. Churchill. They marry, and as Harriet eventually even Robert Martin's wife is Emma's happiness is complete.
Reviews
" A subtly amusing genre paintings by the difference of wishes and legends, and my actions. "
" The story based on the novel by Jane Austen is left on the one hand in its historical context, widens the other hand, a comedy of relationships sought and prevented from, which could just as well play in modern times. "
Awards
Rachel Portman won the Oscar with their music to the 1996 film. In addition, the film was still nominated for an Oscar in the category Best Costumes.
Other adaptations
In 1972, the television series Emma, 1996, the TV movie Emma with Kate Beckinsale in the title role originated. Followed in 2009 with Emma, a four -part television adaptation.