Emma by Jane Austen
I recently watched PBS Masterpiece Theatere version of 'Emma', as part of Becky's Mini Austen Challenge. I've been watching
PBS Masterpiece Theatere Complete Jane Austen, they are playing the film adaptations of Jane Austens novels. So far, my favorites have been Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, and of course Pride & Prejudice.
The novel 'Emma', is about a young single lady, who loves to play matchmaker. However, Emma starts to run into complications in her matchmaking. It's a cute story, and I like the characters.
click here for the complete novel online
In the PBS version, Kate Beckinsale plays Emma Woodhouse. Sad to say, I didn't enjoy this version at all. I just didn't like the cast. And this version was almost boring.
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However, my favorite is the film version where Gwyneth Paltrow plays Emma and Jeremy Northam plays Mr. Knightley.
They have one of my favorite romantic scenes in the end.
"I cannot make speeches, Emma:"—he soon resumed; and in a tone of such sincere, decided, intelligible tenderness as was tolerably convincing.—"If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am.—You hear nothing but truth from me.—I have blamed you, and lectured you, and you have borne it as no other woman in England would have borne it.—Bear with the truths I would tell you now, dearest Emma, as well as you have borne with them. The manner, perhaps, may have as little to recommend them. God knows, I have been a very indifferent lover.—But you understand me.—Yes, you see, you understand my feelings—and will return them if you can. At present, I ask only to hear, once to hear your voice."
And this film version captures the humor of the novel really well.
'Dear Diary, Today I tried not to think about Mr. Knightly. I tried not to think about him when I discussed the menu with Cook... I tried not to think about him in the garden where I thrice plucked the petals off a daisy to acertain his feelings for Harriet. I don't think we should keep daisies in the garden, they really are a drab little flower. And I tried not to think about him when I went to bed, but something had to be done.'
In this version, Ewan McGregor plays Frank Churchill. What more could you want from a movie? lol
'Maybe it is our imperfections which make us so perfect for one another.'
Did you know?
The movie
'Clueless', is based on Jane Austens novel 'Emma'?
A few good Jane Austen sites:
http://www.austen-beginners.com/index.htm
http://www.austen.com/index.html
