| 8+Cautions: some language, some immodesty and mild sensuality, brief intensity, and mild ethical confusion
Emma, at least as much romantic comedy as period drama, easily lands a place among in-color classics as the plot ravels and unravels as a young woman’s misguided matchmaking endeavors persistently put obstacles in the way of people who have already found their perfect matches. Emma is likely to be a day-brightener for anyone who enjoys comedy of wit and circumstance, imperfect heroines, near-perfect heroes, period costumes, or happy endings, though teens and adults are more likely to appreciate the ironies.
1996 | Douglas McGrath | 121 min
Some Immodesty and Mild Sensuality
Women wear gowns that reveal more or less cleavage (usually less).
A couple kisses a few times.
A character is said to be illegitimate.
Couples dance.
Some Language
Good G-d!
Good G-d!
d-mn
d-mn
good heavens!
good heavens!
for heaven’s sake
goodness!
goodness!
blast!
Brief Intensity
In a very brief scene, gypsies attempt to rob two young women, crowding around them and knocking them down.
Mild Ethical Confusion
A young girl confesses her (up to that point) continuing affection for a man who had been married for some time. Because she is repenting of it, it is implied to have been morally wrong, but it is treated more as foolish than sinful behavior.
A woman is rumored to have been fallen in love with by a married man, but nothing ultimately comes of the suggestion.
Emma’s occasional deceit, criticism and gossip are portrayed negatively, but the humor and irony that go with them may lessen the negative impression for some viewers.
Note:
A negatively-portrayed character happens to be a clergyman, though his inappropriate behavior is not associated with his vocation.
Emma’s father is portrayed as silly and simple-minded, but all of the characters, and especially Emma, respect him nonetheless.
Characters drink alcohol. The behavior of a negatively-portrayed character is suggested to have been influenced by wine.
A reference to a deceased person includes “God rest her”.
A character prays kneeling in front of an Anglican altar in church.
