Rich girl Emma Woodhouse (Paltrow) feels very unsecure about life when her nanny, and best friend, gets married and has to move away. Emma doesn´t really now who to talk to about her problems with her love life. Instead she tries to be a matchmaker for her friend Harriet (Collette). She tries to get her together with the nice young reverend Elton (Cumming), but it turns out he was only interested in Emma! Problems ahead for everyone involved.
I normally don´t enjoy romantic comedies, especially not those which take place in the 19th century, with costumes and everything that comes with it. But Emma was different. After a slow first half-hour, the story got started and I found that this was actually a funny, smart and beautiful tale.
The main reason I liked this movie must be Gwyneth Paltrow. She looked lovely and did her best performance yet. She´s actually better here than in `Shakesphere in Love', which gave her an Oscar. Every scene she´s in is a pleasure to watch, especially since she nails that English accent perfectly! The supporting actors and actresses are superb as well. Jeremy Northam is in his best role yet, and Toni Collette and Alan Cumming are perfectly cast.
I actually tried to read the book by Jane Austen at first, but I got tired of the slow pace and watched the movie instead. Which saved me a lot of time, and it was way above expectation.
The story is a bit slow, yes. But in the end Emma still feels like a winner. I usually don't like these kind of movies, but I liked this. Which means it must be above average.
* * * ½
I normally don´t enjoy romantic comedies, especially not those which take place in the 19th century, with costumes and everything that comes with it. But Emma was different. After a slow first half-hour, the story got started and I found that this was actually a funny, smart and beautiful tale.
The main reason I liked this movie must be Gwyneth Paltrow. She looked lovely and did her best performance yet. She´s actually better here than in `Shakesphere in Love', which gave her an Oscar. Every scene she´s in is a pleasure to watch, especially since she nails that English accent perfectly! The supporting actors and actresses are superb as well. Jeremy Northam is in his best role yet, and Toni Collette and Alan Cumming are perfectly cast.
I actually tried to read the book by Jane Austen at first, but I got tired of the slow pace and watched the movie instead. Which saved me a lot of time, and it was way above expectation.
The story is a bit slow, yes. But in the end Emma still feels like a winner. I usually don't like these kind of movies, but I liked this. Which means it must be above average.
* * * ½