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I’m nodding my head in agreement with your review! As much as I wanted to love it, I found that it didn’t sweep me away as I’d hoped. I did think it was a first-rate production and is well worth watching as I plan to re-watch it myself! I did find it odd that I felt less of a connection between Emma and Mr. Knightley in this 4 hour version than in the previous two films which had half the time to develop the plot and characters. I thought Romola and Jonny gave fine performances (as did the whole cast) but somehow this ‘recipe’ didn’t turn out perfectly despite using the finest ingredients!
I am not sure exactly what I think of the new Emma. I definitely like the acidness of Kate Beckinsale and the genuine sweetness of Gwynoth Paltrow, but I have yet to determine what I prefer about Ramola Garai. I will have to just continue watching to make my determination.
I couldn’t disagree more. I have watched and rewatched this Emma many times and continue to find new things to love. From the very beginning we see how much Mr. Knightley cares about Emma as he returns from London and tries to cheer her up on the evening of Miss Taylor’s wedding. Did you notice how when he appears in the doorway of the younger Emma, she knows he’s there without turning around, and again when she later says “Isabella has had five children,” knowing again that he is there without having to look at him. The ballroom scene is a masterpiece of acting by Jonny Lee Miller–he can convey so much feeling with only a brief downcast of his eye. While I liked Gwynth Paltrow’s Emma very much, it seems contrived compared to this version. These are real people, and I care very much about them.
Comment by Emma Margaret — March 26, 2010 @ 9:21 pm
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I’m nodding my head in agreement with your review! As much as I wanted to love it, I found that it didn’t sweep me away as I’d hoped. I did think it was a first-rate production and is well worth watching as I plan to re-watch it myself! I did find it odd that I felt less of a connection between Emma and Mr. Knightley in this 4 hour version than in the previous two films which had half the time to develop the plot and characters. I thought Romola and Jonny gave fine performances (as did the whole cast) but somehow this ‘recipe’ didn’t turn out perfectly despite using the finest ingredients!
Thanks for your review!
Comment by Charleybrown — January 23, 2010 @ 12:32 pm
I am not sure exactly what I think of the new Emma. I definitely like the acidness of Kate Beckinsale and the genuine sweetness of Gwynoth Paltrow, but I have yet to determine what I prefer about Ramola Garai. I will have to just continue watching to make my determination.
Comment by Emma Hox — February 3, 2010 @ 11:29 pm
I couldn’t disagree more. I have watched and rewatched this Emma many times and continue to find new things to love. From the very beginning we see how much Mr. Knightley cares about Emma as he returns from London and tries to cheer her up on the evening of Miss Taylor’s wedding. Did you notice how when he appears in the doorway of the younger Emma, she knows he’s there without turning around, and again when she later says “Isabella has had five children,” knowing again that he is there without having to look at him. The ballroom scene is a masterpiece of acting by Jonny Lee Miller–he can convey so much feeling with only a brief downcast of his eye. While I liked Gwynth Paltrow’s Emma very much, it seems contrived compared to this version. These are real people, and I care very much about them.
Comment by Emma Margaret — March 26, 2010 @ 9:21 pm
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Line and paragraph breaks are added automatically. Some basic HTML code is allowed (e.g., boldface, italics, hyperlink).