Solemplex
To me, this movie is perfection.
Jenna Walter
The film may be flawed, but its message is not.
Griff Lees
Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.
Sarita Rafferty
There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
robert-temple-1
This was truly Marie Dressler's finest hour. She was justly nominated for an Oscar for the lead role of Emma in this film. Clarence Brown, who directed so many of Greta Garbo's films, had directed Dressler as Marthy in ANNA Christie (1930/1) with Garbo, and clearly appreciated her unique screen power by casting her in EMMA. It is not often that a 64 year-old actress can entirely dominate a film, but that is what happens here. Among the cast was the young Myrna Loy. The film is based on an original story by Dressler's close friend, the screenwriter Frances Marion. It concerns a middle-aged woman named Emma who is the maid to a family of a man with three children. When the story starts, his wife is in the middle of childbirth. She dies and the baby is also not breathing, but Emma saves the little boy. She then acts as mother to the four children until they are grown up. She also nurses Mr. Smith, the ailing father, a gentle and caring person excellently played by Jean Hersholt. After serving the family selflessly for 32 years, Emma's worth becomes suddenly clear to Mr. Smith and he proposes marriage. He then tragically dies on their honeymoon, having made a will leaving everything to Emma because his unruly children are not responsible enough to handle the money, so that he entrusts Emma with managing it for them. The eldest three turn on her viciously and take her to court, accusing her of having murdered their father to grab the money. This is a very emotional film with lots of comical moments, but it is also a bit of a weepie. It is a magnificent film of its time, and deserves wider recognition. It shows the best and worst sides of human nature. As for Marie Dressler, may her reputation never die.
jarrodmcdonald-1
There are some very humorous and poignant moments sprinkled throughout EMMA, though it is largely a drama. Myrna Loy is good in a supporting role, just before she shot to stardom with THE THIN MAN series. And so is Richard Cromwell as Ronnie. But this is Marie Dressler's film all the way.Miss Dressler received an Oscar for Min and Bill (which she deserved), but the actress is even better in this film. She was nominated for Emma and in this writer's opinion should have had a second Oscar. The courtroom scene is truly spectacular. And the ending is sublime.I am surprised MGM never turned this one into a weekly television series.
LeonLouisRicci
It wouldn't be Surprising that this Movie was Underwritten by Kleenex. It is a Sorrowful Weeper that is also a Very Charming Picture. Movie Buffs are Aware that Marie Dressler was a Fine Actress who Achieved Major Popularity and Acclaim late in Life but for a Few Brief Years She was at the Top of Her Game and was Awarded for Her Craft both by Her Peers and the Public.Virtually Unknown Today, Dressler and this Film become a Gem of a Discovery for those Searching for Character Studies. This is a Heartwarming Movie with Comedic Elements and High Drama. It could Even be said that this is a Litmus Test for Hard Boiled Eggs who Pride Themselves on Emotional Restraint.After all, Everyone has a Mother, real or Surrogate, and here the Depth of this Nanny and the Realism in the Portrayal are Something to Behold and to Hold on to for a Memory of a Wonderful, Selfless Soul. Once You meet Emma You will Never Forget Her. This Movie is Simply…Beautiful.p.s….of course Hattie McDaniel is the Mother of all Mammies.
Sinatrafan103
I don't think that I could ever fully explain how wonderful this movie is, since it is just SOOO good. I caught it on Turner Classic Movies last year, and I've been dying to see it since then, but it isn't on DVD or VHS so I''m out of luck. (If anyone runs into a copy PLEASE post on IMDb!) The last post really covered the basic plot. Marie Dressler as Emma is the sweetest, most darling character to ever appear on the screen. She cares for these kids from when they are born to when they are in their twenties and thirties, loving them as if they were her own. Btw, you can catch Myrna Loy in an early non-exotic film role as one of the kids! Equally amazing is Jean Hersholt's performance as the dad. This is the only performance of his that I have ever seen, and anyone who wonders what the Hollywood humanitarian's acting talents looked like should definitely see this movie. It's very interesting that they give out an Academy award in his honor, but they don't have any of his films widely available.If I could pick just five movies in the universe to recommend, this would undoubtedly be one of them. (Primrose Path w/ Ginger Rogers, The Man with the Golden arm w/Frank Sinatra, Easy Rider, and Stage Fright w/Jane Wyman would be the other four== and they were VERY hard to pick just five!!) So next time it's on TV, make sure you watch it!
