Emma
Plot
Emma, the 1996 British-American romantic comedy film, brings to life Jane Austen's beloved novel of the same name. The story revolves around Emma Woodhouse (Gwyneth Paltrow), a wealthy, young, and charming woman who has just turned down a marriage proposal from her former governess, Miss Taylor. Emma's meddling nature is evident as she decides to play matchmaker for her friends and acquaintances, convinced that she knows what's best for them. She sets her sights on Harriet Smith (Toni Collette), a naive and impressionable young woman who has just arrived in the area. Emma persuades Harriet to reject a proposal from a worthy but dull suitor, Mr. Martin, in favor of a more exciting but utterly unsuitable man, Frank Churchill. As Emma's meddling continues, she becomes increasingly embroiled in the lives of those around her. She clashes with her governess, Miss Taylor (Ewan McGregor), who has become a close friend and confidant to Harriet. Meanwhile, Emma's own feelings are stirred by Mr. Knightley (Jeremy Northam), a charming and wealthy bachelor who is secretly in love with her. However, Emma's matchmaking attempts often backfire, leading to misunderstandings, miscommunications, and hurt feelings. She eventually realizes that she has been misguided and that her friends would have been better off without her interference. Throughout the film, Austen's witty dialogue and clever characterization shine through, making Emma a delightful and engaging watch. The film's period setting, beautiful costumes, and picturesque landscapes add to its charm. With strong performances from Paltrow, Collette, and Northam, Emma is a charming and humorous exploration of love, relationships, and the dangers of meddling in others' affairs.
Reviews
Mabel
Focus insider preview screening @ Angelika NYC. Beautiful and adorable. With occasional subtlety, frequent quirkiness, and consistently exquisite cinematography, the film manages to elicit laughter from the audience roughly every two minutes. Each frame is a reference in itself, piecing together to form almost half of the history of Western modern art. The combination of classical composition, macaron color palettes, and a British pastoral soundtrack give this film a wildly imaginative quality. The initial editing feels a bit chaotic, and the characters are slightly cartoonish in their portrayal to push the plot forward. However, the pacing becomes more stable in the later half especially in portraying Emma's process of repentance...
Norah
Compared to "Little Women," "Emma" boasts a cleaner structure and more refined visual language. The lead actress delivers a perfectly judged, slightly exaggerated performance, as if casting a vote for the talent of British actresses in this era.
Mabel
Those who love it will naturally love it! Anya Taylor-Joy is simply stunning!
Anna
Austen's stories remain eternally fresh. If Emma were around today, she'd be a mogul running a Match.com-esque dating empire, a fan-made video editor on Bilibili creating unlikely pairings, followed by a best friend who's obsessed with online forums. She'd rage against celebrity infidelity trending on social media, proclaiming she'll never believe in love again, only to fall head over heels with a fan-created "ship" like BoJun Yixiao last summer.
Aitana
Everyone looks like a fish.
Cooper
Emma’s relentless matchmaking reveals a darker side of her “charity” — perhaps it’s a desperate attempt to control what she can’t. A fascinating dive into the costs of good intentions.
Morgan
In *Emma*, the eponymous protagonist proves herself a brilliant matchmaker, yet struggles to understand love in her own life. Her ability to see potential in others leads her to overlook her own blind spots, making her journey as much about self-discovery as it is about connecting people. The film’s exploration of Emma’s navigation through society’s expectations and her own desires feels surprisingly relevant even today.
