Romantic Comedy: A 19th century woman occupies her time by playing matchmaker for various young women in her life.
PLOT:
Emma Woodhouse (GWYNETH PALTROW) is a 19th century woman living in a small town outside London who occupies her days by playing matchmaker for other women. Having recently married off her own governess, Anne Weston (GRETA SCACCHI), she now sets her sights on Harriet Smith (TONI COLLETTE), a shy young woman whom she decides needs a high society mentor. Assigning herself that job is amusing to Mr. Knightley (JEREMY NORTHAM), a handsome lad and longtime friend to Emma. Among the men she picks out for Harriet are Mr. Elton (ALAN CUMMING), and Frank Churchill (EWAN McGREGOR), but these men have other loves in their lives. Things then get dicey when both Emma and Harriet fall for the same man and Emma must choose between friendship and romance.
WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?
Not a chance unless they’re familiar with the Jane Austin novel this film is based on and/or liked last year's "Sense and Sensibility."
WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG
For brief mild language.
CAST AS ROLE MODELS:
GWYNETH PALTROW plays the matchmaker who's only fault is not allowing Harriet to marry a farmer, someone "below" her standards.
TONI COLLETTE plays a young, shy woman who just wants to find romance.
JEREMY NORTHAM plays a man with no bad qualities or traits at all.
This is a very innocent, enjoyable film that benefits from Gwyneth Paltrow's performance. She expertly juggles the many emotions and thoughts her character experiences and creates a believable and likable character. While this film's plot is very similar to last year's "Clueless" (with Alicia Silverstone and based on the same Jane Austin novel), the tone is very different. And compared to another adaption of an Austin novel, "Sense and Sensibility," this film is more open and fun while the previous film always gave us an impression of being stilted and constrained. The characters and the actors/actresses portraying them are superb throughout this production and while the plotting may be slow to some, this movie provides extremely enjoyable entertainment. We give it a 7 out of 10.
OUR WORD TO PARENTS:
While kids more than likely will not be drawn to this one, if they happen to see it, there’s nearly no objectionable material. In fact, it has far less "bad" things than most G rated films we've reviewed. There is some drinking of wine with dinner and there's some slight upper class snobbery. Only one scene gives this film a PG rating, and just barely does so. Emma and Harriet are accosted by a band of gypsies, but are rescued by Mr. Churchill. Nothing bad happens to them and the scene lasts maybe thirty seconds. It's too bad the film isn't more attractive to kids because it's good, wholesome entertainment.
There is some upper class snobbery to the class below, but it’s rather minor.
Emma finally has enough of a friend, Ms. Bates, who won’t stop talking and, in a manner of word, tells her so. The friend is hurt and Mr. Knightely later confronts Emma with her indiscretion.
Frank Churchill acts as if he's an available bachelor when in fact he's secretly engagned to be married.
Emma and Harriet are accosted by a group of gypsies in the woods. They try to take Harriet’s purse and she ends up on the ground, but Mr. Churchill comes along and saves the day.
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