Emma
Miramax Films | Release Date: August 2, 1996 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
66
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Critic Reviews
Positive:
16
Mixed:
6
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
USA TodayMike Clark
Emma is the peak of the recent Austen pack and a star-maker, too -- an antidote to a summer in which even good movies have subordinated writing and characters to special effects. [02 Aug 1996, Pg.01.D]
100
Movie NationRoger Moore
Paltrow and McGrath’s interpretation of the character and recreation of the mores of the time are spot-on. This is an “Emma” of her era — young, privileged, cosseted and a busybody who sticks her nose in others’ business without noting that her own happiness and chief means of providing happiness to others are being neglected. Read full review
89
Austin ChronicleAlison Macor
Despite my lack of Austen education, I found the film to be thoroughly engaging and surprisingly touching, so I can only imagine how pleased a true Austen-ite may be with Emma. Read full review
88
Rolling StonePeter Travers
McGrath's script is faithful: fierce when it needs to be and devilishly funny. Read full review
88
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
The movie is a genteel, witty soap opera designed to make everyone feel the better for having not only seen it, but having had a bit of fun. Read full review
80
The New York TimesJanet Maslin
Gwyneth Paltrow makes a resplendent Emma, gliding through the film with an elegance and patrician wit that bring the young Katharine Hepburn to mind. Read full review
80
EmpireAngie Errigo
Coming from a novice director, the film is not as impressive as "Sense And Sensibility", but as a light-hearted and energetic comedy of who-loves-who? and small upsets, this works well - and it boasts Paltrow's star-making turn. Read full review
80
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
While most literary adaptations look flat and pretty, the fine performances here set Emma apart. Read full review
80
VarietyKen Eisner
A fine cast, speedy pacing and playful direction make this a solid contender for the Austen sweepstakes. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Yet in its high spirits and wicked good humor, Emma is a delightful film--second only to "Persuasion" among the modern Austen movies, and funnier, if not so insightful. Read full review
75
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
Emma lacks the depth of passion present in the other Austen films, but, in large part because it's trying for something lighter and breezier, it's still fun. Read full review
75
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Gwyneth Paltrow is enchanting as a self-confident young woman who decides to wile away her time by playing matchmaker for a friend whose romantic life would fare much better without interference. Read full review
75
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Perhaps the highest praise that can be given Paltrow is that there are no appreciable performance gaps between her green talents and the rest of the truly top-drawer cast. Read full review
75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
Apart from its star, though, Emma may be the least convincing Austen adaptation so far. Read full review
70
NewsweekDavid Ansen
The self-deluded, 21-year-old heroine, can be an awful pain, but her meddling misjudgments are redeemed by her wit, grace and budding moral intelligence, and it's Gwyneth Paltrow's triumph that we always keep sight of that potential as she blithely plucks all the wrong heartstrings in town. Read full review
70
TimeRichard Corliss
It is impressive enough that Paltrow holds your eye as a parade of lovelies and virtuoso actresses (Greta Scacchi, Polly Walker, Juliet Stevenson) march past. But her finest trick is to provide a comic subtext to Emma. Read full review
60
Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan
As the only Austen work to be named after its heroine, Emma must have an engaging performance in the title role to succeed at all, and fortunately Gwyneth Paltrow, after a slow start, completely wins us over. Read full review
60
SlateSarah Kerr
As in the novel, the story is gripping, as pleasurable as a good recreational drug. As with the drug, the high wears off pretty fast. Read full review
50
Washington PostHal Hinson
What McGrath's Emma does have going for it is a breakthrough performance from Gwyneth Paltrow as the heroine. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
The subtle ironies of Austen's novel are rendered obvious, and the book's social satire gives way here to more straightforward romantic comedy. Read full review
50
San Francisco ExaminerBarbara Shulgasser
I tried to find in Paltrow what all her admirers in numerous magazine articles have reported. I tried to ignore a less than enchanting English accent and a tendency to be wiped off the screen whenever other actors were given much to do. Read full review
50
The New RepublicStanley Kauffmann
[Douglas McGrath's] adaptation of the novel is as complete as two hours would allow. What it lacks texturally is what no adaptation could adequately supply: the gleam of the Austen prose. [19 Aug 1996, Pg.38]
20
Washington PostDesson Thomson
Director McGrath retains the novel's highlights, but he slices everything to ribbons. Read full review
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