Posted by Deborah C. on August 25, 1997 at 13:12:18:
In reply to Re: Recasting "Emma"... posted by Laraine on August 19, 1997 at 13:49:50
I agree with you, Laraine. I think Emma Thompson would
have done a better job than both Doug McGrath and Andrew Davis. I think both Emma2 and Emma3 suffered from a weak
script. Emma2, in my opinion, at least have the sparkle.
I don't personally see that sparkle and humour in Emma3.
] ] If you had your druthers, whom would you cast in any or all roles in Emma? Whom would you choose to direct, write, &c.? What kind of mood would you choose to evoke? How faithfully would you adapt the novel? Don't feel that you need to pick amongst those involved in previous projects - branch out, choose creatively, and build upon others' comments if it works for you...
]
] ________
] Here's some thoughts:
] I agree that Emma Thompson would make a terrific screen writer. How about Emma as Mrs. Weston? How about Hugh Laurie as Mr. Weston? Samuel West as Mr. Elton? or Ciaran Hinds as Mr. Knightley? I really like both Gemma Jones and
] Eileen Atkins, so I think I'd cast one of them as Miss Bates. Ben Chaplin would make an interesting Frank Churchill.
] I think the mood I'd try to evoke first would be the humour in the novel. It cracks me up every time I read it.
] One of the things I adored about Thompson's S&S was relationship among the Dashwood women. The moment when Edward is proposing to Elinor offstage and Marianne and her mother hug is other is joyful and moving. I'd try to evoke the importance of relationships as well as that moment does.
] I'd try to keep as much of the dialogue as possible because this is Austen's most dialogue-intensive novel and her dialogue is unsurpassed...
] I'd try to keep Emma and Harriet and even Jane quite young, at least in looks. Harriet isn't even out of her teens, and I'd try to preserve that in the casting.
] Finally, I'd try to be as completely faithful to the book as time allowed me to be. But for me, details aren't as important as overall feel--it should have sparkle!
] This was fun...
] Laraine
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