Okay, honestly, I do have a life apart from watching classic book/movies. It just happens that my last couple of posts have been about movies. ( : There are two movie versions of the Jane Austen classic, Emma. It is a delightful tale about a young rich girl named Emma who endeavors to become a matchmaker with those around her. The story is filled with characters I am sure you will come to love (or in some cases hate) as the writer intended. As far as I know, there are only two film versions of this book. There is an A&E version and an American major motion picture version. Surprisingly, I think the American one is much better. The acting is far superior, as are the costumes, scenery, and interpretation of the book. The A&E version is not bad, but I think it is harder to follow if you do not know the plot. The acting certainly isn't as good, and- this sounds silly- but the makeup was badly done because many of the actors looked pale; almost sickly. The biggest problem, however; was the way they interpreted the plot. It confused even me, a person who has read the book for myself! I couldn't keep the characters straight because all of the male characters seemed to dress the same, look the same, and talk the same. The A&E didn't have a great script either. Jane Austen is the queen of understated satire and irony, and I think that was lost with this version. It missed out on a lot of the witty dialogue found in the book.
So in conclusion, I would suggest renting the version starring Gwyneth Paltrow if you have a desire to see a GOOD interpretation of a well loved book. If you haven't read the book yet, please READ IT FIRST! It will make you appreciate the movie so much more! ( :
2 comments:
ANOTHER POST!? My dear, are you feeling well? :-)
I have seen both versions and I liked the Gwyneth Paltrow one better as well. There were parts that I liked better about the A&E one but in that one there was a lot of blasphemy at the end (which unfortunately there is in the book too - the whole thing is fine until the last ten pages or so! So disappointing!). I think that the Harriet in A&E was more realistic, but the new one portrayed her character - as a simpleton - better. Overall, I wouldn't say either was the best movie I have ever seen.
Oh, and actually there is another Emma... I think it's BBC but I've never seen it. After the other two we were Emma-ed out. :-)
I agree with your comments about the A&E version vs. the Gwyneth version. And concerning your surprise at my astonishing amount of posting as of late... uh, what can I say? I must have been bitten by the blogging bug or something! ( ;
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