Two versions of Jane Austen's Emma were released at approximately the same time-- a BBC miniseries version starring Kate Beckinsale and a Hollywood version starring Gwyneth Paltrow. Being a bit of an Austen fanatic, I own both of these films. I've seen them both enough times to feel that a side by side comparison would be interesting-- if only to Austenites such as myself.

The Hollywood Emma is more broadly comic, more glossy, more gorgeously shot, with better production values. The BBC Emma is darker, more faithful to the book, and less romantic. As for the actors...

Emma: Different performances, both extremely fun to watch. I have to give the edge to Kate Beckinsale, strangely, because she's less likeable than Paltrow. Beckinsale is not afraid to make her Emma spoiled, petulant, and bratty. I think it's closer to Austen's vision of a character who does grow up over the course of the story. Paltrow's Emma is charming and fun to watch, but she doesn't evolve the way Beckinsale does. Beckinsale's interaction with Frank Churchill devolves into genuine mean-spiritedness at times, and this makes the character of Emma more complex and interesting to watch.

Knightly: Absolutely no contest. Jeremy Northam may not be old enough, but he hits the perfect notes with his Knightly. Sexy, charming, sexy, intelligent and sexy. Mark Strong is not only unattractive with awful hair, but he's mean to Emma throughout the whole movie. Northam lets you see the affection underneath the scolding. Strong just glares and lectures. You almost never see him and Emma being happy together, and their happy ending just leaves a sour taste in your mouth. He's a creep, and you wish she'd wait a few years, so she can outgrow her immature fixation on this stern Daddy figure.

Frank Churchill: both Raymond Coulthard and Ewan McGregor do good jobs with the charmer Frank Churchill. But Coulthard benefits from the inclusion of scenes like the strawberry picking, where he is seen in a foul mood, and the plot line about his getting his hair cut. Ultimately, McGregor is wasted on an underwritten part, and ends up with less to do than Coulthard does.

Elton: Edge to Alan Cumming, who plays Elton with subtlety, and likeability. For instance, he seems embarrassed by his wife's rudeness. Dominic Rowan plays the married Elton as a smug prig. It seems to sort of defeat the purpose of his marrying for money, when he appears to be so happy with his irritating harpy of a wife. (And why we're on the subject, what's with Lucy Robinson's horrible accent? Isn't she British?)

Harriet Smith: Samantha Morton and Toni Colette do completely different things with the roles, reflecting the distinction between the two films. Moron's Harriet is shy, human, sweet and real. Colette's Smith is a comic creation, and her sweetness is silly and stupid. Morton does a better job of showing why Harriet is so influenced by Emma-- her inferior social position is conveyed in her acquiescence. Colette's Harriet seems to have no better judgement, no mind of her own. She's fun to watch, and you root for both Harriets, but Morton's performance is better.

Overall: What sinks the BBC version of Emma is not the inferior production value, but the complete lack of chemistry between the two romantic leads. I would have loved to see Beckinsale matched with someone worthy of her ability, capable of generating romantic sparks. Unfortunately, Mark Strong is not the man. Although I watch the BBC Emma from time to time, it is the Hollywood Emma that gets my vote.