In this made-for-TV adaptation of Jane Austens classic novel, Emma Woodhouse (Kate Beckinsale) is a clever young woman from a wealthy family who fancies herself a matchmaker and tries to find a husband for her shy friend Harriet (Samantha Morton). However, Emmas skills in bringing romances together are not all she imagines them to be, which causes no small annoyance for Harriet. Whats more, Emmas interest in the affairs of others nearly causes her to miss out on the love of her life. This adaptation of Emma was first shown in the U.S. on the A&E cable network, it followed both Douglas McGraths acclaimed film version starring Gwyneth Paltrow, and Amy Heckerlings considerably updated variation on the story, Clueless. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide