Gwyneth Paltrow Shares Funny Moment of Bill Clinton Snoozing During 'Emma' Screening

Gwyneth Paltrow Recalls Bill Clinton Falling Asleep During Emma Screening in Front of Her 355

Gwyneth Paltrow, Bill Clinton. Noam Galai/Getty Images for Clinton Global Initiative

Gwyneth Paltrow skillfully portrayed the character Emma Woodhouse in the 1996 adaptation of Emma, although the movie didn't appeal to everyone.

During her appearance on "Hot Ones" on Thursday, March 21, host Sean Evans questioned Paltrow about the rumor that former president Bill Clinton fell asleep during a screening of Emma at the White House.

"Yep, he was snoring right in front of me," shared Paltrow, 51, with a chuckle. "I thought, 'Well, this movie must be a hit.' And it was! So, Bill Clinton, take that!"

Paltrow played the lead role in the movie adaptation of Jane Austen's novel from 1815, also titled "Emma." Just like in the original story, Paltrow's character Emma sees herself as a matchmaker for her friends. Meanwhile, she catches the eye of Frank Churchill, played by Ewan McGregor. The film was both written and directed by Douglas McGrath, who passed away in 2022.

Emma was released around the same time as Emma Thompson's adaptation of Sense and Sensibility and Amy Heckerling's Clueless. Heckerling, who is now 69 years old, also adapted Emma but placed it in modern-day Los Angeles, with Alicia Silverstone playing the role of Cher Horowitz.

In 1996, McGrath shared with reporters that she was unsure whether to be concerned or not. After finishing filming, she watched Clueless and really enjoyed it. She also expressed her admiration for Sense and Sensibility, saying she was captivated by the whole experience.

McGrath predicted that Emma would be a hit in the United States compared to Austen's home country of England. He also mentioned that Emma might not be well-received in Britain due to the sacred relationship with Jane Austen.

McGrath humorously remarked, "I think Emma will get slaughtered in Britain because of our sacred relationship with Jane. That film, more than any of the British attempts, actually does something slightly different with it. I think it's very interesting. It's a very modern portrayal of that girl, as modern in its tone as Clueless. And I think the British will find that deeply upsetting."

Emma was a huge success at the box office and among critics. It made almost $40 million globally and received two Oscar nominations for costume design and original score, winning the award for the latter. Not only did Emma receive critical acclaim, but Paltrow also impressed audiences with her British accent, despite being a California native.

"I always had a knack for mimicking accents and making prank calls since I was young, which always made my friends laugh," she shared. "However, I soon realized that to do it properly, I needed to relearn how to speak. The English accent is quite distinct, requiring a different use of muscles in the mouth and tongue placement on the teeth. Some muscles need to be more relaxed while others need to be tensed."

In 2020, Emma was once again brought to life on screen, with Anya Taylor-Joy taking on the role of the leading lady.

Editor's P/S:

The revelation that former President Bill Clinton fell asleep during a screening of "Emma" at the White House is both amusing and telling. It suggests that even the most powerful and influential individuals can be swayed by the power of art. Clinton's slumber may have been a sign of boredom, but it could also be interpreted as a testament to the film's ability to captivate and transport its audience.

Gwyneth Paltrow's recollection of the incident highlights the enduring legacy of "Emma." Despite its initial mixed reception, the film has gone on to become a beloved classic, praised for its witty dialogue, charming performances, and timeless themes. Paltrow's own journey in mastering the British accent for the role is a testament to the transformative power of art and the dedication of those who bring it to life., its success both critically and commercially suggests that he underestimated the film's appeal.