this be the best emma in existence in my opinion . have see the other version ( 1996 ) which be also good and and read the book and i think i can safely say with confidence that this be the true interpretation and be the most faithful to jane austen masterpiece . the 1996 movie with g. paltrow be good too and it just that it almost like a different story altogether . it very light and fluffy and you do not see the darker edge of the character and if you just want a pleasant movie and that one would do fine but the intricacy of some of the plot point and such a the churchill or fairfax entanglement be so much gloss over a to be virtually non existent . but if you want the character flesh out a bit and more real and multidimensional and the 1996 tv version be the superior . emma be a remarkable person and but she be flaw . kate beckinsale be masterful at show the little quirk of the character . you see her look casually disgust at some of the more simple conversation of harriet smith and yet she show no remorse for have ruin harriet proposal until that action have the effect of ruin her own marital happiness at the end . you see her narcissism and it mirror frank churchill in that they would do harm to others to achieve their own aim . for emma and it be play matchmaker and have a new friend to while away the time with after have suffer the loss of her governess to marriage . for frank churchill and it be secure the promise of the woman he love while treat her and others abominably to keep the secret . in the book and she realize all of this in a crushing awaken to all the blunder she have make . both kate beckinsale and gyneth paltrow be convince in their remorse but paltrow be more childlike and stagnant while beckinsale awakening be rather real and serious and you see the transition from child like and selfish behavior to kind and thoughtful adult . both version be very good but i prefer this one .