Emma on the Big (and small) Screen, Which is your favorite? |
 Jun 25 2009, 09:18 PM
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Visual Aids of Swoonworthiness Person  Posts: 2,736 Joined: 8:49pm December 9, 2006 Location: Lost in a Good Book somewhere in Minneapolis   |
Emma has been adapted many times:
Also the Movie Clueless is loosely based on Emma and starred Alicia Silverstone as the Emma-like Cher. link Which adaptations of Emma have you seen? Which did you like? Why? -------------------- |
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Jul 7 2009, 02:51 PM
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#2
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Just Through the Brick Wall  Posts: 3 Joined: 7:07pm January 2, 2006 Location: Alabama |
I haven't seen the oldest version, but I definitely preferred the Kate Beckinsale version to the Gwyeneth Paltrow one. But I didn't feel like it was as good as the BBC Pride and Prejudice, which I think is almost perfect. The casting for it was just marvelous.
It's been a while since I've seem them though, but I think the Gwyeneth Paltrow Emma is better than a lot of more recent Jane Austen movies. How did I not know there was going to be a new Emma movie?! I'll be interested to see it. Clueless was a fun, modern take on Emma. It's not my favorite movie by any means but I enjoyed the parallels between the stories. -------------------- "My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can." – Cary Grant
My blog: http://randomishmusings.blogspot.com/ |
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Jul 8 2009, 01:45 PM
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#3
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Smart Cookie  Posts: 3,109 Joined: 1:26am September 30, 2006 Location: Somewhere in time and space  |
I've seen both Kate Beckinsale and Gwyneth Paltrow Emmas - or should I say, Mark Strong and Jeremy Northam Emmas, 'cause that's what (i.e. Mr Knightley) really matters to me
  Seriously though, Mr Knightley isn't everything I care about, and personally, I at first preferred the Paltrow + Northam version, though I saw it actually before I read the book, so, I'm thinking that it might have slightly affected how I *read* things in the book too. I like that it's so colourful, so to speak, even if I understand that it's not how it really was at that time. I think, it's a nice choice to show that Emma's life is light-hearted, if that makes sense. I think, they kind of "glossed" the characters for this one, at least compared to Strong + Beckinsale version, and I kind of like that most of the time.I've recently started liking Beckinsale + Strong version, too. I used to dislike it mostly, 'cause I couldn't quite like either Emma or Mr Knightley, even though they are probably staying truer to the book, but they've grown on me now I like that Stong's Mr Knightley is more "rough" mannered, so to speak, though I also like Northam 'cause his Mr Knightley seems more witty and funny and generally *nicer*, which I suppose can be said about pretty much all characters in that Emma.I've also seen Clueless too, and I think it's great fun. I enjoyed the parallels, too, april_showers  It's interesting to see how they transformed stuff that happens quite a long time ago to modern times. I especially like their take on Harriet's (Tai) character.
This post has been edited by Wandguardnoodle: Jul 8 2009, 01:48 PM -------------------- I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine. (P&P)
Images from hallonpaj, phistolemon_, alata_elentari @LJ.   |
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Jul 9 2009, 07:34 PM
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Monster Book Stacker Posts: 360 Joined: 6:49pm July 28, 2005 Location: hiding in the forbidden forest waiting for lupin |
Well, I've been fortunate enough to see all of the different versions. My favorite is the A&E version with Kate Beckingsale. It was so close to the book, I really loved the way their relationship (Emma and Knightly) progresses.
I saw Clueless too, and its one of my favorite movies. Cher totally cracks me up, I love the whole scene when she is getting held up "this is a totally important designer" totally cracks me up. 
-------------------- Yipee!!!!I'm in Gryffindor!!!
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Jul 10 2009, 08:29 AM
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#5
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Visual Aids of Swoonworthiness Person Posts: 2,736 Joined: 8:49pm December 9, 2006 Location: Lost in a Good Book somewhere in Minneapolis |
An update on the new version of Emma, PBS will be showing it in early 2010 as part of Masterpiece Classic. From their press release:
QUOTE Romola Garai (Atonement, Daniel Deronda), Sir Michael Gambon (Cranford, Gosford Park), and Jonny Lee Miller (Byron, Eli Stone, Trainspotting) star in this BBC and WGBH co-production which follows the dire consequences of Emma's failed matchmaking schemes. Michael Gambon plays Emma's affectionate, neurotic father who allows her to be mistress of their household. Jonny Lee Miller—who stars in MASTERPIECE’s Endgame, premiering in October) plays Mr. Knightley, Emma's shrewd and attractive neighbor, who provides a welcome counterpart to headstrong Emma. Fresh and funny, this perceptive adaptation by Sandy Welch (Our Mutual Friend, Jane Eyre, North and South) brings Jane Austen's comic masterpiece to life. To see a sneak peak click here and find the box marked Emma and click on that. -------------------- |
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Jul 10 2009, 02:14 PM
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Leaky's Official Donut Maker and Mosquito Man Posts: 11,140 Joined: 10:51am August 25, 2005 Location: Playing kal-toh with Professor Snape |
Seeing as how I'm still reading Emma, I guess I can only talk about the big and small screen adaptations, in fact the only version I've seen is the 90s movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow (I didnt even see Clueless
 )I cant comment about how it compares to the book but, I felt that compared to other Jane Austen books, movies and TV adaptations it was lacking something. I dont know if the movie adaptation just doesnt live up to the high standards of other Austen movies or, if the story just isnt so appealing to me. The main storyline is interesting but, personally I found the way the story is told to be less captivating than other Austen stories that immediately draw you in. It didnt seem to have the depth of other Austen productions  It was still a good movie though.--------------------   I'm 1 of the 99.99% W.L.Y.J.  When I sleep I dream, and when I dream I can rise above the walls Remember Cameron Duncan Thanks Jeff! |
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Jul 10 2009, 02:31 PM
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#7
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Smart Cookie Posts: 3,109 Joined: 1:26am September 30, 2006 Location: Somewhere in time and space |
QUOTE(Moose_Starr @ Jul 10 2009, 03:14 PM)  Seeing as how I'm still reading Emma, I guess I can only talk about the big and small screen adaptations, in fact the only version I've seen is the 90s movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow (I didnt even see Clueless I think, I agree with you about there being probably less depth in Northam+Paltrow version, but then I think, the book itself is more light-hearted than other Austen works (at least the ones I'm familiar with). I think, the authors of the film simply decided to run with the humour and set a light tone for the whole movie, pretty much disregarding all the more serious themes there could've been. But I still find this film very enjoyable - especially when I just need something romantic and nice and funny and don't want to trouble myself with any "hard" themes and issues.
)I cant comment about how it compares to the book but, I felt that compared to other Jane Austen books, movies and TV adaptations it was lacking something. I dont know if the movie adaptation just doesnt live up to the high standards of other Austen movies or, if the story just isnt so appealing to me. The main storyline is interesting but, personally I found the way the story is told to be less captivating than other Austen stories that immediately draw you in. It didnt seem to have the depth of other Austen productions It was still a good movie though.-------------------- I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine. (P&P)
Images from hallonpaj, phistolemon_, alata_elentari @LJ. |
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