Emma (1996)

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This is another delightful adaptation of a Jane Austen novel, but I confess that it's my least favorite. Actually, the novel itself is my least favorite, because Emma annoys me. I think she's supposed to be annoying, or to put it differently, she is an immature and flawed character, and her actions have sad consequences for others (though everything turns out well in the end, of course).

I am also annoyed by the whole husband-as-teacher-and-guide thing. Knightley is so condescending towards Emma, at least in the film. I can't remember the book well enough to compare, but I hope I don't ever fall in love with someone who would hiss at me "Badly done, Emma! Badly done!" Of course that would be extra weird if it happened to me, since my name isn't Emma. Sorry. Couldn't (or didn't) resist that obvious joke.

The secondary characters are well-done and often very funny, but I seem to be experiencing an overdose of Gwyneth Paltrow, even though I haven't seen her in that much lately. Maybe I liked Bounce even less than I thought.

A thoroughly entertaining modern adaptation of Emma is the 1995 movie Clueless, starring Alicia Silverstone. It's a teen flick, but cleverly written and funny. I'm planning to make Jon watch it with me pretty soon, so stay tuned.

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