https://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/01/30/the-importance-of-being-emma/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usFri, 12 Jun 2026 03:25:48 -0400<![CDATA[No one beats a screenwriter for hating everybody else&#8217;s movies (including most of his own), so I am known among my friends as a terrible film curmudgeon, bemoaning the great days of Fellini, Bunuel, et al. What a bore. So I&#8217;m pleased any time I can recommend a new one and I did quite enjoy Nanny McPhee, which Sheryl and I saw with Madeleine Saturday night of its opening weekend at Hollywood&#8217;s Arclight Cinema. Of course, I am a huge Emma Thompson fan, as an actress and as a writer. Her script for Sense and Sensibility was one of the best Austen adaptation&#8217;s ever. I also understand she had her hand in the new version of Pride and Prejudice. Here she has written herself a role filled with wart-filled amusement as the Nanny-from-Hell come to reform a family of deliciously unruly kids. At first you almost cannot look at her, then her blemishes (and snaggletooth) gradually disappear as the children do reform and it&#8217;s the same beautiful Emma. Corny, but effective.]]>Mon, 30 Jan 2006 17:03:55 -0500<![CDATA[Roger L. Simon]]>https://pjmedia.com/roger-l-simon/2006/01/30/the-importance-of-being-emma-n211226