Another interesting point of unity between the two films is the role of the Thompson family. Sense and Sensibility's star/director and writer was Emma Thompson. Thompson's real life mother and sister play mother and daughter Mrs. and Miss Bates in Emma. And while we're dabbling in trivia, the music is composed by Rachel Portman, one of the few female film music composers!

However, back to the movie... Emma is a difficult movie to call. After the final credits had rolled, I felt refreshed and charmed by the movie, yet not totally satisfied. Certainly the film is sweet and delightful. For me, it brought back marvelous days in high school when we convent girls avidly read Jane Austen, imagining we'd meet our own Mr. Knightley the day after graduation. Maybe we'd have gained a better insight into reality had we read Emma Bovary instead.

The plot is much ado about nothing. Emma is rich, idle and a lover of gossip. She spends her time doing good works, needlepoint and matchmaking. That's it. So I guess you would call Emma a "women's picture." I shamelessly admit I tricked my husband into going, and he emerged from the theatre looking incredibly virtuous, like he had done me some HUGE favour by managing to sit through the film. Not that I can really blame him, however, since I too felt that this movie tends to limp just a little. I kept laughing too loudly at the meagre jokes, just to convince myself that I was having a good time.

Director and writer Douglas McGrath goes so close to creating a fine film, but everything seems to be wrapped in kid gloves. The costumes, for example, are uneasy. Emma's clothes don't quite fit properly, and a few times were a little more see-through than I felt was appropriate. I was most intrigued by the fact that she played the piano wearing gloves!

Miss Smith's posture is decidedly rounded and she never quite stops looking like an Australian bull in an English china shop. Indeed, only Greta Schacci appears totally at ease in the film, with all the rest of the actors seeming to try just a little too hard. Indeed, since this film is labeled as an "art film" and "foreign" it almost seems that McGrath had taken both terms to heart. Foreign art films don't have to be labored, or obtuse.

At no point does this movie let go and just enjoy itself. Consequently, its hard for the audience to totally relax as well. Probably the direct address from Mrs. Elton at the conclusion of the film says it all. By turning to speak to the camera, she seems to admit that everyone in the cast had been aware all along that the camera was the only reason for their existence.

Yet, I don't wish to give the impression that this movie is not extremely fine. Emma is a delightful experience, and there are moments that just burst forth from the screen to capture the heart. I am very glad I saw Emma, but overall, I think the film is a solid B+ - with just a little more spit and polish, it could have been truly excellent.