Emma

PG

Released Aug 2, 1996

2 hr. 1 min.

Romance

Comedy

Drama

List

84%

57 Reviews

Tomatometer

76%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In this adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel, pretty socialite Emma Woodhouse (Gwyneth Paltrow) entertains herself by playing matchmaker for those around her. Her latest "project" is Harriet Smith, an unpretentious debutant, while Emma herself receives the attentions of the dashing Frank Churchill (Ewan McGregor). However, Emma's attempts at matchmaking cause more problems than solutions and may ultimately jeopardize her own chance at love and happiness.

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Critics Consensus

Emma marks an auspicious debut for writer-director Douglas McGrath, making the most of its Jane Austen source material -- and a charming performance from Gwyneth Paltrow.

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The H

Ewwww, brother ewwww

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/29/24

Full Review

Trafalgar L

Jane Austen's classic novel comes to life with the help of Gwyneth Paltrow. Paltrow's portrayal of the titular character is superb. This adaptation makes the most of its source material and does it in the most respectful way possible. If you like "Clueless" then you'll love "Emma"

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/24

Full Review

H.M. J

This is my least favorite Emma adaption. A big Austen novel fan, Emma is probably one of my favorite books. Gwenyth Paltrow is flat as the primary character with little to no chemistry on screen with either of her supposed love interests. The best actors in the flick, who saved it for me, were the actresses playing Ms. Bates and Mrs. Elton. They showed the other actors how to walk the bright, playful line while also staying true to character, which I believe is what the director was going for. However, the primary actors missed this marked, playing bright and light and missing the feeling of the time and the book. Watch instead Romola G in BBC's rendition. She is an amazing Emma. The best Mr. Knightley can be found in the 2020 version, which falls short in other ways but does that role justice.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/18/23

Full Review

daniel r

Jeremy Northam is great, but a lot of the rest of the cast is miscast.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very well done! Very fun to watch!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/22

Full Review

jordan m

The degree to which Clueless was superior to this movie has me worried about watching the 2020 remake here soon. Apparently they didn't know Clueless was being made when they started working on this, and I suppose there's room in the world for both versions, but for my personal tastes draining all of the comedy out while telling the same story is never going to make for a better movie, no matter how much I like Gwyneth and period movies in general.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Douglas McGrath

Director

Gwyneth Paltrow

Emma Woodhouse

Jeremy Northam

Mr. Knightley

Toni Collette

Harriet Smith

Greta Scacchi

Mrs. Weston

Alan Cumming

Rev. Elton

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Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

Paltrow carries it all as lightly as a breeze on Highbury hills.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 27, 2019

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

Emma's' unforced charm is a remarkable achievement for a first-time writer-director.

Feb 27, 2018

Full Review

Chris Peachment

Daily Telegraph (UK)

A good and creditable final curtain on Jane Austen.

Nov 28, 2017

Full Review

Roger Moore

Movie Nation

The gold standard for this frothiest of Austens

Rated: 4/4

May 29, 2023

Full Review

Edward Porter

Sunday Times (UK)

It leaves out some of Austen’s subtleties, but in its own way — as sunny, elegant entertainment — it hits the spot.

Jan 31, 2023

Full Review

Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

This is a movie that is as handsome and approachable as the day it was released even if it isn’t one of Austen’s best works in terms of its adaptation.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 26, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

In this adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel, pretty socialite Emma Woodhouse (Gwyneth Paltrow) entertains herself by playing matchmaker for those around her. Her latest "project" is Harriet Smith, an unpretentious debutant, while Emma herself receives the attentions of the dashing Frank Churchill (Ewan McGregor). However, Emma's attempts at matchmaking cause more problems than solutions and may ultimately jeopardize her own chance at love and happiness.

Director: Douglas McGrath
Executive Producer: Donna Gigliotti, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein
Screenwriter: Jane Austen, Douglas McGrath
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 2, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 25, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.2M
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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