Which is better and why: Jane Austen's Emma DVD with Guyneth Paltrow or...

[happykids]

the 1997 A&E version?
Thanks!
~Sabrina in NY

[Liz CA]

the 1997 A&E version?
Thanks!
~Sabrina in NY

Gwyneth Paltrow version better. The other one is very close to the book but a little long winded. If teens will be watching, I think the one with G. Paltrow is funnier.

[nancypants]

I love the Gwyneth Paltrow version. I know it by heart pretty much. :o

[NancyinCA]

I agree.

[Ann]

Gwenyth Paltrow version is far better than the A&E version. I love Jane Austen and I found the A&E one draggy and boring but absolutely loved the Gwenyth Paltrow version. Now I need to go and track down the movie.

[melissel]

Also, the Gwyneth Paltrow version has Jeremy Northam at his yummy, smirky best :D

[Eliana]

I strongly disagree with the other posters, The A&E version with Kate Beckinsale is far, far better. It is more genuine, more heartfelt, less.. less showy, and much truer to the feel of the book.

Paltrow's Emma is too cute, too 'perfect', too polished - and the story is distorted to make her actions seem better than they were. The Harriet in this one is distorted too - it is *funny*, but making her so... stupid left a bad taste in my mouth. Jeremy Northam is a fine actor, but his Knightly was off too... I enjoyed the film, but it was a relief to see the Beckinsale one - Frank & Jane make more sense, Harriet is sweet, and Emma... we get to see Emma grow more the way she does in the story... and it doesn't feel to consciously crafted.

The Paltrow version is a Hollywood romantic comedy, the Beckinsale version is an (imperfect) Austen adaptation.

Eliana

PS There is much to be said for the new Austen adaptations which are just being released (and which you can watch on YouTube in 7-9 min segments!). The Amanda Root Persuasion from years ago is still the best, but the new one has some really lovely moments and a completely different take on Captain Wentworth. The Mansfield Park is... well, if you ignore the fact that the Fanny isn't even close to being Fanny and that essential plot sections have been cut (imagine P&P w/out the trip to Pemberley!!) has a fabulous Edward and a delightful Mary Crawford, and, despite all the things it gets wrong, it capture some small hint of the book here and there. Northanger Abbey is much better (though watch out for an outrageously explicit 5-10 second dream sequence) and does a very respectable job with the story. Sense and Sensibility is very well done - though you have to let Elinor and Marianne grow on you, especially if you've seen the Emma Thompson one. (I'd skip the opening scene if kids are watching.) It is a really lovely adaptation, not perfect, of course, but very nicely done. (And, for once, a reasonable length!)

[Remudamom]

Paltrow's version is just a cutesy Hollywood interpretation. Kate Beckinsale nails it. We've got both though. We just call them the blond headed Emma or the black headed Emma.

[Mrs. Readsalot]

The Paltrow version is a Hollywood romantic comedy, the Beckinsale version is an (imperfect) Austen adaptation.




Very well said and I agree completely. I also like what she said about the other Austen adaptations you can watch on You Tube.

[angela in ohio]

I've only seen the Paltrow version, but I can't imagine that it would be better than anything else. ;)

[happykids]

Lately, my 16yo, 13yo dds and I have been on a P&P kick (A&E version). We keep watching it over and over again and quoting parts to each other constantly. Even dh likes it! We like this version so much that we can't even imagine watching any other. I don't think we will. I want to keep these images of P&P and not spoil it with any others.
We've also watched Sense & Sensibility (with Hugh Grant) and liked it a lot, so we're now looking for other good versions of movies from Austen's books.

Thanks!
~Sabrina in NY

[Tonia]

If you can get the older version of Emma (made in the '70's I think) from your library it is worth watching. I enjoyed it (though without Jeremy Northam I'm not sure how!)

[Jami]

Eliana said it so well, I'll just say "ditto". :)

I enjoy the Paltrow/Northam version for its own sake, as a fun "period" movie, the way I enjoy the new Pride and Prejudice or the 90s Mansfield Park. "Based" on the book (the way 'Clueless' is based on Emma ;) ) but not necessarily an adaptation of the book. If that makes sense.

Jami

[Colleen]

nt