A shot of escapism
Just when you think you have seen all the Jane Austen you can bear, along comes Emma. While not as famous a character as her Sense and Sensibility or Pride and Prejudice sisters, Emma still bears all the hallmarks of an Austen heroine: she is sweet, she is intrinsically good, she makes a few well-intentioned mistakes.
Austen's heroines always flit through the meadows with eminently suitable suitors, which may explain the world's enduring fondness for her novels. Emma will ring a bell with the MTV generation through Alicia Silverstone's star turn in Clueless, a much-adapted modern-day take on Austen, and freshly funny in its irreverence. Emma, a largely American production, is surprisingly uplifting as well. You may think the last thing you need to endure is Mrs Brad Pitt-to-be attempting an English accent, but Gwyneth Paltrow is more charming than any other recent Austen heroine (except, perhaps, Kate Winslett in Sense and Sensibility.
Paltrow is exactly the right age to be playing Emma, and takes on the difficult role with great gusto - and an endearing delicacy. She is winning in the role, no matter what your preconceptions may have been.
Emma, of course, is the little lady of the manor, caring companion for her father and dedicated to doing good around the village in her spare time. Encouraged by her success in marrying governess Greta Scaachi off to a neighbouring gentleman, Emma sets her matchmaking sights on another single lass - Toni Collette (last seen in Muriel's Wedding ). Not high-born, Collette's character would be best off marrying the man who loves her - a farmer - but Emma snootily discourages this natural match and encourages Collette to look above her station (first at the rector, and then at someone who Emma discovers she herself might love).
Buffetted by events which are all - directly or indirectly - of her own making, Emma struggles to cope with her mistakes. The problem with adapting Austen is that these may not seem so serious in the cold light of the late 20th century (Emma and her pals are hardly homeless, after all). But director Douglas McGrath does a marvellous task of bringing Emma's world to life.
Light, pretty - like its heroine - and shot in an English summer which dreams are made of (especially for people who live in England), Emma is a lovely shot of escapism. And while you are escaping, it is nice to be entertained with beautiful language, isn't it? I will take it any day over the one-liners we have yet to hear in this summer's blockbusters.
Emma, Intercontinental
