Posted by Trina on June 20, 1997 at 13:52:25:
In reply to Emma2 vs. Emma3 posted by Kathy F. on June 01, 1997 at 16:42:43
] I'm new here--first post ever.
] Just wondering--we all seem so vicious in our support or hatred of the two Emma versions--do we prefer the version we saw first--regardless of which version it was. I know I prefer Emma3, but I saw it first, then read the book, then saw Emma2. I don't know anyone irl who saw Emma2 then Emma3.
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This is my first post on the Emma board, I usually stick to P&P, since I've wathced about 10 times! But, reading your post yesterday inspired my to take a second look at Emma3. I saw Emma2, then read the book, then saw Emma3. I liked Emma2 much much better, but thought maybe the commercials in Emma3 detracted from it, so I rented it and watched it again last night, and though I liked it better the second time around, I still prefer Emma2. Here's some thoughts I had while watching Emma3 last night.
First of all, I thought Gwyneth Paltrow (Emma2)was fabulous as Emma. Of all the JA adaptations I've seen (of all her novels), I thought Paltrow truly did justice to the clothes and the hairstyles of that period--and that's not easy to do (she also had, I think, a much better wardrobe than in Emma3). Although I really like Kate Beckinsale, and thought she was delightful in Cold Comfort Farm, the natural make-up and hairstyles in Emma just didn't do her justice--she's much better suited to the bright red lipstick, slick black hair, and straight suits of Cold Comfort Farm.
In terms of Mr. Knightly, Mark Strong grew on me with the second viewing, but I still prefer Knightly from Emma2. MS looked really cute with his hat on, but without, his forehead was so big, it was all I could look at. And, I don't think they allowed him to show his attraction for Emma--all he ever did was scold her. In Emma2 I thought there was a better presentation of his attraction to her inspite of his disapproval at some of her actions. I also though MS over-acted some of the scenes--the reaction to Frank's London haircut trip, for instance.
Finally, there were places where the plot wasn't developed as well as in Emma2--like not mentioning Jane Fairfax until she arrives, and not building up Mr. Elton's obvious attraction to Emma rather than Harriet. I liked the looks of the guy who played Elton in Emma3 better, but I prefered the smarmy attitude of Elton from Emma2.
I like both Mr. Weston's, both Jane's, didn't like either Frank Churchill (I found neither attractive at all), and liked "Poor Miss Taylor" from Emma2.
I think that's enough...