In
Regency England, the wealthy and beautiful 20-year-old
Emma Woodhouse lives with her widowed father at his Hartfield estate in the Surrey village of Highbury. A frequent visitor to Hartfield is
George Knightley, a close friend of the family and owner of nearby Donwell Abbey. George is the brother of John Knightley, the husband of Emma's sister Isabella who lives in London. Emma prides herself on her matchmaking skills, and successfully arranges the marriage of her old governess, Miss Taylor, to Mr Weston. She befriends Harriet Smith, a naive young woman of uncertain parentage who boards at a local girls' school, and persuades her to decline a marriage proposal from a respectable farmer, Robert Martin, instead recommending the local vicar, Mr Elton. George Knightley privately expresses his disapproval, telling Emma that she is encouraging Harriet to aspire to a man who can never accept her. On the way home from a dinner party, Emma finds herself alone in a carriage with Mr Elton. To her shock, he proposes marriage, leading to an awkward rejection. Only then does she learn that what she had mistaken for affection towards Harriet was merely Mr Elton's attempt to woo Emma herself. Mr Elton subsequently leaves the area, returning six weeks later with a new wife, the pretentious Augusta. Two long-anticipated visitors arrive: Jane Fairfax, the highly accomplished niece of
Miss Bates, a genteel but poor family friend who is notable for her incessant chatter; and the charming Frank Churchill who, always required to be at his wealthy aunt's beck and call, has had few opportunities to visit. Emma finds herself intrigued by Frank and is envious of Jane's talents. Frank's arrival prompts the Westons to hold a
ball, at which Mr Elton rudely snubs Harriet. She is rescued by George Knightley, who asks her to dance. Emma and Knightley also share a dance, awakening romantic feelings between them. During a picnic at
Box Hill, Frank urges the company to play a lighthearted game, and Emma, in a moment of thoughtless humour, insults Miss Bates, causing her great distress. Knightley privately reprimands Emma for her unkindness, prompting her to reflect on her behaviour. She apologises to Miss Bates, who forgives her. Harriet confides to Emma that she has again found love; she does not name the man, but Emma assumes she is referring to Frank Churchill. The sudden death of Frank's aunt leads to the revelation that Frank and Jane Fairfax have been secretly engaged, a match they had been concealing from her. Emma attempts to break the news gently to Harriet, only to be told that it is George Knightley, not Frank, whom Harriet loves. According to Harriet, her love is reciprocated. Knightley happens upon Emma while she is out walking. He is determined now to declare his love for her, but Emma stops him, believing that he has come to confess his love for Harriet. So overcome is Emma when she realises what Knightley is saying that she develops a nosebleed. She joyfully accepts his hand. Emma visits Mr Martin to make amends, offering him a portrait of Harriet she drew herself. Mr Martin renews his offer of marriage, and this time Harriet accepts. Harriet and Robert Martin marry, followed by Emma and George Knightley. == Cast ==