Not brother and sister! - Emma (1996) Discussion

[–] colinforever 20 years ago

I love that line. Shows how much he really wants to be with her. Too bad she did not hear that!

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[–] adelyn2 20 years ago

I love all of the mystery of his affection and how hidden it is to her, like in a good and bad way. I love how he secretley loves her, but hate that she can't figure it out sooner!!!! I love that line.

Liz
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"And your parents are in good health, and all your sisters?"

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[–] colinforever 20 years ago

I think she loves him too, but doesn't realize it. Reminds of P&P in a lot of ways.

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[–] rowan_red 20 years ago

We get a bit impatient watching Emma being oblivious to falling in love with her friend Mr. Knightley, being 21st century women. But just compare the power of the restraint of this scene to those ho-hum love scenes in which the couples just wind up in bed.

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[–] adelyn2 20 years ago

I know really! I don't know about you all, but I can't stand that. This is a great scene!! And yeah, there are a lot of similarities to P and P.

Liz

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[–] rowan_red 20 years ago

Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books, but I haven't found a film adaption I've really liked yet (though I enjoyed the 40's film with Laurence Olivier). I hear that Keira Knightly is going to be in a new one.

Pride and Prejudice is a very romantic story. I'm finding the book Emma to be much wordier and harder to read, and am very glad to have this film version of Emma, with its humor and beauty.

But in the area of staging romance, some movies just kill it rather than cultivating romance. For instance, I really loved the movie, "A Knight's Tale". However, at the end when Sir William kissed Jocelyn, it was a suck-face session that really turned me off! In contrast, in his movies Jeremy Northam is expert at those little glances and looks that cause you to feel what he is feeling for the heroine, yet leaves you still wishing for more.

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[–] adelyn2 20 years ago

Have you never seen the 1995 BBC A&E version of Pride and Prejudice??? It is absolutely amazing!!! If you have seen it, sorry, but it is my favorite movie of all time. I most highly reccommend it!!

Liz

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[–] rowan_red 20 years ago

I don't think I've seen it. Sounds like worth trying a look at!

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[–] adelyn2 20 years ago

Yeah, just type it in up in the IMDb search box and it is the first choice. It has Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle and got a 9.3 star rating on this site. I watch at least some part of it everday. It is a miniseris, so it is 5 hours long, but goes by the book very well. Come on over the the message boards over there some time and there are a lot of good topics covered.

Liz

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[–] rowan_red 20 years ago

Well, that's right neighborly of you!

I sort of missed the whole Colin Firth wave. I saw him first in "The Importance of Being Ernest", which I couldn't help comparing unfavorably to the 50's version with Michael Redgrave. Maybe this will help me get to know him better. Five hours! Wow!

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[–] kegibson-1 19 years ago

I noticed a debate about Pride and Predudice and I wanted to throw in a comment about the 1977 version which is excellent and line for line is closer to the book. I guess I am a purist. IMDB will have it though and it really is worth a look.

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[–] eden_echo 19 years ago

But just compare the power of the restraint of this scene to those ho-hum love scenes in which the couples just wind up in bed.

I agree! These romances (especially Austens') are a heck of a lot better than some they have today..all it seems they do nowadays in a movie is sleeping with one another as soon as they find out they are attracted to each other. To me, that doesn't define romance at all, but these stories like "Emma" and P&P and so many others like it define a romantic film.

ANIMAL LOVERS UNITE

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[–] blushwine77 20 years ago

Love that scene, the only thing ironic was in the beginning of the movie Mr. Knightly, himself, said that he and Emma are like brother and sisters.

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] rowan_red 20 years ago

I am still trying to locate that version of P&P, which is probably unwieldy for the rental places and libraries. Perhaps on Half.com--I never pay full price!

I think I may be starting a feud, but I think Colin Firth is bland in comparison to dark-eyed, wonderful Jeremy Northam!

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] rowan_red 20 years ago

Oh, no! I know there are so many Colin Firth fans!

I guess I haven't seen enough of his movies--just the Importance of Being E., and that abominable Amanda Bynes monstrosity. (Can you blame me, after that one?)

And when Jeremy Northam smiles, with his eyes, in that bemused Sagittarian, shy-of-women fashion, who can resist?

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[–] Olivine 20 years ago

Jeremy Northam in Emma is a bit of a spunk, yes, but better than Colin Firth as Darcy, No!.

However, Now that Colin Firth is older I would definately say that Jeremy Northam is spunkier. What about North and South's Richard Armitage? and what do you say of it (those of you who've seen it)in comparison to P&P and Emma?

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[–] rowan_red 20 years ago

Darn! It seems like I miss out on a lot of good productions, not being in the U.K. Gotta do a search on the internet, I guess. IMDb shows no pictures of Richard Armitage, but the pictures don't usually do the subject justice, anyway.

Jeremy Northam a spunk! I like that expression.

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] oobie32 20 years ago

oh i love all three of them!!!!!! North and South isnt much alike pride and prejudice and emma as it wasnt written and based in Regency England. I love all three and thought all of them to be brilliant!!

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[–] sokkertenngrl-1 20 years ago

I love that scene! Anyways, the P&P mini series is absoulutely remarkable... both Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle did a wonderful job portraying their characters.

I really can't wait for Keira Knightley's version.. of course- it is no way going to be better than this one but I'll give it a shot! I must say.. the Darcy in that one looks quite unattractive.

Oh and btw-- I can't choose between Colin Firth or Jeremy Notham.. but, I guess I would have to go with MR. Darcy
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn.. is to love.. and be loved in return"

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[–] colinforever 20 years ago

It's close of Colin wins. I still like Jeremy, though. Imagine if they would do a movie together!!!!!

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[–] rowan_red 20 years ago

Have they ever been in a movie together? Will have to research that...

If not, then why? Could there be a terrible feud between them? (I'm just kidding about that!)

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[–] colinforever 20 years ago

Don't think they have, but would be great. Where can I write there agents? Maybe we can write our own script for the two to star. Now that would be great!!! Although, I am sure we would all want to be the leading lady

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] daleannapage 19 years ago

A&E P&P is the best! Don't worry too much about the price, you won't be sorry. It, like Emma, follows Austen's book, word for word much of the time, but the five hours allows more character development.

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[–] cavalofun 19 years ago

Lol nobody really ever cares THAT much for poor collin firth until they see him in P&P for the first time. Watch and if you don't get why we now all swoon over firth i'm not sure if anybody at ALL can do the job lol. hehehe.

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[–] Comedy_Fan 20 years ago

That line is so incredibly sexy! He's so sexy! I LOVE this adaptation!

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[–] eloramoon 20 years ago

It IS such a great line!

Jeremy Northam is soooo amazing as Knightly. The way he portrays Knightley's love for Emma is very very convincing, not to mention heartarming!! :)

I also like the part where Emma is playing with her sister's baby, and she carries the baby past nightly and he looks at her with such a longing expression, like seeing her with a baby is a glimpse into his future with her.

Has anyone read any of the books that were written to pick up the story of Emma? If I'm not mistaken, at least one of them was written by a descendent of Jane Austen's, sometime within the last 20 years I think.

Elo

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[–] jessicaviscariello 19 years ago

You may be thinking of Emma Brown? It was started by one of the Bronte sisters, though, and picked up by an Irish author. Not a continuing story of Emma Woodhouse, though.

But also, Jane Austen did start a novel called Sanditon (sp?) and it was picked up by another author who I believe was a descendant of Austen's.

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[–] rowan_red 19 years ago

I read Sanditon as a teenager. I loved it, but there may have been some trouble in the transition between Jane Austen's and the new author's writing. The story still stays with me, especially the scenes by the sea. It would be worth reading.

Yes, I loved that scene in Emma with the baby. It showed the growing warmth of Emma's and Knightley's relationship.

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[–] whitelilacs07 19 years ago

There is a continuation of the Emma story written by one of Austen's relatives I believe, called Return to Highbury. It's written in letters between the teacher of Harriet's school (Mrs. Godard, I believe) and her sister, so rather different perspective but the best sequel to an Austen novel that I have ever read. It's very funny and keeps up the story of Mrs. Elton and her sister (doesn't she talk about her sister's house at Maplehurst or Maple....something anyways! Well, they get made fun of some more). Emma herself doesn't feature prominently, but it's worth reading on its own.

I liked Sandition too, but I don't think it's finished by a relative. The style changes between the two so much, the second half isn't nearly as good.

And I think I do like Jeremy Northam as Knightley over Colin Firth as Darcy, but that's only because... there's a new Darcy! Matthew Macfadyen! And he is amazing! You have to see him... I highly recommend!

Can words go straight to the heart?...Can words be as direct as the scent of roses?

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[–] Comedy_Fan 19 years ago

It's one of his sexist lines in the film! The chemistry there is amazing!

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[–] eden_echo 19 years ago

Not brother and sister!
by - rowan7gold on Mon Mar 28 2005 22:26:34
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Earlier in the film, Emma and Mr. Knightley had joked about being like a brother and sister.

Then as they step outside to talk during the dance at the Westons', they really warm up to each other. He asks her with whom she will dance, and she answers,

"With you if you will ask me ... after all, we are not brother and sister!"

Mr. Knightley laughs at this, but, as he intently watches her walk away, says to himself in almost a purr, "indeed, we are not!"

Oh, and in the dance that follows, I could just swoon. What a great way to build romance!

You got to be kidding me, I love that!! It's so ironic and yet so endearing at the same time.

In the beginning he says they are practically brother and sister, but in the middle, she says they are not and he agrees with her, just shows how much he realizes how much he is feeling towards Emma, before she finds out herself how much she loves him too.

ANIMAL LOVERS UNITE

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[–] babelfish1 19 years ago

I know this was way back in the thread but...ROCK ON Richard Armitage!

Twelve times did the iron register of time beat on the sonorous bell metal

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[–] cavalofun 19 years ago

WHOOOO HOOOO!!! lol i'll second that. hehehe

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[–] babelfish1 19 years ago

I love that phrase "such a fox".

Twelve times did the iron register of time beat on the sonorous bell metal

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[–] luckynikeshoes 19 years ago

Mr.Knightley is perfect. I can't decide between him and Mr.Darcy at all.

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[–] missmarty 19 years ago

I like Mr. Darcy's dignity, but I like Mr. Knightley's ability to laugh. I think I prefer Mr. Knightley because he is slightly less formal than Mr. Darcy, even though they both are quite quite nice....now I'm starting to confuse myself! lol But I do prefer Mr. Knightley.

"...I can do anything through the One who makes me who I am." Phil. 4:13

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[–] Dreams_inthe_Mist 19 years ago

I will make a bunch of people mad here, but I never liked Darcy's character! It's true! I adore Mr. Knightley and would take him in a second though. He is my perfect man. My second favorite Austen hero would have to be Col Brandon.

Still round the corner there may wait, a new road or a secret gate.

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[–] KindvomWolf 18 years ago

Oh, I love Col. Brandon!!! And Alan Rickman did such a good job in the Emma Thompson film...he has that 'puppy face' down pat.

I need a new signature.

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[–] lucky_star_1 19 years ago

They care about each other and their affection grew drastically throughout knowing each other. Deep down they always loved each other but they were blinded by this because they had known each other for so long as just good friends.

It is Frank's arrival that spurns Mr Knightley's jealousy. He knows from then on how he feels but is too scared to admit it because he fears Emma will always see him as just her good friend. Likewise, Emma's realisation of her feelings is undermined by her fear that he likes Harriet. There are lots of things and people standing in the way before they can admit their love for each other. But luckily they share a deep love and a same social standing position

Brother and sister - no they are not!

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[–] motions_silent 19 years ago

This is probably my favorite scene in the whole movie!

"We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are." --Anais Nin

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[–] anjua 18 years ago

"It is Frank's arrival that spurns Mr Knightley's jealousy. He knows from then on how he feels"

Thats not true, in the book Knightly mentions having loved Emma since she was 13. Its clear from reading the book, and watching the film, that Knightly has loved her for a very long time - Emma is the one who needs to gain self-awareness and realise her feelings.

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[–] Unwanted_Birdtamer 18 years ago

A lot of people remember that comment of Mr Knightley's about loving her since she was 13; but it was not meant to be literal. During that whole conversation Knightley is being playful and that comment was tongue in cheek; as what he actually says is that if his way of doting on Emma was to point out all her errors, he had been pointing them out at least since she was 13. Elsewhere it says that "He had been in love with Emma, and jealous of Frank Churchill, from about the same period, one sentiment having probably enlightened him as to the other." He doesn't realize he loves Emma until Frank Churchill comes on the scene--which obviously contradicts his playful comment about having loved her since she was 13.

No one spoke,
The host, the guest,
The white chrysanthemums.

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[–] Electric_Light_Manatee 17 years ago

You're exactly right. He meant that if remonstrances were love, he'd been doing that for quite some time. The book is very clear in pointing out that Knightley realized his love for Emma when Frank showed up. It provides the perfect parallel to Emma's jealousy revealing her passion for Knightley. They were foils--and mighty good ones at that!

As for the scene in question, I think JN pulls it off amazingly well. He did a nice job with Knightley!

ELM

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[–] reikun86 15 years ago

I love Jeremy Northam's performance. His Mr. Knightley was very sexy.

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