Lovely Emma Woodhouse (Kate Beckinsale) has time on her hands and a penchant for matchmaking. Convinced her matchmaking prowess was evidenced by the successful marriage of her former governess, Mrs. Weston, (Samantha Bond), she sets out to find an equally advantageous marriage for her ingenue, Miss Harriet Smith (Samantha Morton) with disastrous results. Undaunted and convinced that she has no need for marriage herself, she begins to wonder if she hasn't fallen for the charming Frank Churchill (Raymond Coulthard) all under the watchful eye of her friend, Mr. Knightley (Mark Strong). Through her adventures in the affairs of the heart, Emma discovers that her true gift may not lie in finding romantic ties for others but in loving someone of her own.