Emma

Wit, gossip, charm and marriage are the pillars of the plot driving a story of a meddling socialite, Emma (Gwyneth Paltrow) who believes her calling is to secure a marriage for an unfortunate girl, Harriet Smith (Toni Collette) to the local vicar, Mr. Elton (Alan Cumming.) Emma believes that she is the expert in matters of station, class and lovemaking. However, she is mistaken, as her friend Mr. Knightly (Jeremy Northam) already knows. When the mysterious and charming Frank Churchill (Ewan McGregor) comes into town, she falls into the trap she usually sets, but not all is what it seems.

From the outset, Jane Austin's wit and jest is clear from the soft tones of Rachel Portman's score to the first introduction to our cast. The dialogue is quite well written and delivered with such excellent cadence by the players. The blend that the cast produces allows for the prime comfort of the audience in between the space that fills the tactically-placed uncomfortable silences, and comically-aimed heartache. But equally well done is the soft photography and picturesque color palette as love flies everywhere, dripping its juice on every aspect of the film.

The sword plunge as Emma insults poor Miss Bates and Knightly rebukes her is perfectly executed. The casting of Sophie Thompson as Miss Bates is superbly done, she executes the scene against Jeremy Northam and Gwyneth Paltrow exceptionally well discomforting the audience with great efficiency. Comprehensively splendid!

I am always impressed with the wit of Ms. Austin's characters and their interactions with each other. This one is particularly witty and the humor works so well for me, as both comedy and love stories are the wrench of my literary experience, as I am completely hard to please. My mother knows: I am a "chick flick" snob, and a comedy connoisseur. And this one reaches high above the bar.

****

In: Ewan McGregor

Out: Jeremy Northam

Coming Soon: Gosford Park