Emma (1996 Douglas McGrath & scr)

Slightly stodgy in early scenes, Doug then starts making things interesting by cross-cutting between conversations; last 30 minutes is perky, but we would have liked Gwyneth Paltrow's Emma to have apologised to Sophie Thompson. Cast is fine: Alan Cumming, James Cosmo, Greta Scacchi, Toni Collette, Jeremy Northam, Phyllida Law and Kathleen Byron (both non-parts, unfortunately). Photography is very natural and good - Ian Wilson (And Soon the Darkness, The Crying Game, Backbeat). So, overall, we enjoyed it.

Rachel Portman's music won an Oscar - I didn't even notice it.