If you missed Emma on Masterpiece Theater the past few weeks, you can catch up fast with this DVD set. Here are Romola Garai, Michael Gambon, Jonny Lee Miller, and Blake Ritson in what many people believe is Jane Austen’s best novel. Romola Garai plays the meddlesome Emma Woodhouse who fancies herself a matchmaker and manages to disrupt the romantic and marital antics of her friends. I am very fond of the version of Emma that launched Gwyneth Paltrow’s career and Alicia Silverstone in Clueless, but this new version is more detailed and truer to Austen’s novel. This set goes on sale today. GRADE: B+
Sorry I missed it but will put in on netflix.
I thought this latest EMMA was very good, Patti. It’s more detailed than the previous versions.
I bet it’s better than 24.
Dave Barry is making the zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz comment on his 24 blog with some regularity, Jeff. This is not one of 24’s better seasons.
I liked the Paltrow version pretty well, though I missed one of the episodes at the time and have never bothered to go back (it was the 2nd or 3rd, I think).
I still think The Mill on the Floss was Austen’s best book, or was it Barchester Towers? Oh and she did a good job with Little Dorrit also…
I think George Eliot, Anthony Trollope, and Charles Dickens would challenge your choices of Jane Austen’s best book, Rick. Paltrow just lit up the screen in her version of EMMA. You just knew you were witnessing a star being born.
Yeah, I know, I was jes’ funnin’. Or maybe I need to take my meds. Or something in the nature of pulling your leg, oh mighty editor.
I’ve read and enjoyed all those Victorian novelists, Rick. Anthony Trollope is a particular favorite of mine.
I am NOT a George Eliot fan, based mostly on MILL ON THE FLOSS and (in particular) SILAS MARNER.
I know what you mean about George Eliot, Jeff. It took an act of supreme will to get through MIDDLEMARCH.
George, nothing about EMMA. I just wanted to say that I read one of your book recommendations, Rebecca Stead’s WHEN YOU REACH ME. It begins a little slowly, a lot slowly in fact, but after a while things pick up. I guessed what was going on without too much difficultly, but that was okay. The best part of the book was Miranda’s observations on her life, and how she slowly gained insight and empathy for those around her. I enjoyed the way she was able to piece those sort of things together.
Good book, George. Thanks for the head’s-up.
You made my day, Drongo! I’m glad you found my recommendation of Rebecca Stead’s WHEN YOU REACH ME satisfying. I think it’s a clever book that many younger readers (and adults) would enjoy. The time travel part is unusual for a book aimed at younger readers. Again, I appreciate your kind words.
My mitzvah for the day.
And I thank you for it, Drongo!