Official Trailer
Plot: Elinor (Emma Thompson) and Marianne (Kate Winslet) Dashwood's lives change almost overnight - their father dies; all of their money is left to their greedy half-brother; and they and their mother and younger sister are forced to relocate to a tiny cottage in Devonshire. But what initially seems like tragedy eventually leads to love - or will it? As Elinor silently suffers doubts about the love of the kind-hearted Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant), Marianne is caught in a stormy romance with the dashing John Willoughby (Greg Wise) and the steady Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman). The sisters feel miles apart from each other - until life comes crashing down around Marianne. When the sisters cling to each other for help in the midst of disaster, they each learn that the other has a valuable lesson to give.
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High Points:
- Based on one of Jane Austen's most beloved novels
- Sensitive, believable character portrayals and interpretations
- Poignant sweetness, heartwarming romance, and gut-wrenching drama
- Beautiful cinematography (filmed on location)
- Thought-provoking treatment of the conflict between reason and emotion
Could Be Better:
- Elinor and Marianne's party dresses are much too lavish and elegant for their poor station in life; Pride and Prejudice (1995) definitely did this better.
- Edward's character is severely underdeveloped. I haven't read the book yet, but from all I've heard, Edward in the book is rather wonderful; but the Edward in the film is flat and always seems confused. The audience is not led to feel the same attachment to him as Elinor does.
Possible Concerns:
- Taken from the actual book, two instances of illegitimate children are mentioned, one of whom belongs to one of the main characters. The issue is treated simply and delicately, and is appropriate except for the subject matter itself.
- Some of the dresses in this movie are very low-necked. I would not let my dad or brother watch this movie.
Vicki's Vote: 5/5
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Review: Sense and Sensibility is one of Jane Austen's best-loved novels. Through the real-life ups and downs of Elinor and Marianne, Austen explored one of the important literary conflicts of the late 1700's - which was more important, sense (reason) or sensibility (emotion)? It turned out that she couldn't decide; and so both Elinor (sense) and Marianne (sensibility) find happiness in the end.
I found Sense and Sensibility to be very similar in many ways to Pride and Prejudice, but the characters were very different, so the movie was just as enjoyable to watch. Due to its shorter length (only about two hours), the temperaments of the sisters are somewhat exaggerated - Elinor is almost painfully sensible, and Marianne is almost embarrassingly emotional. But they are each a good influence on the other, and you can watch them grow and mature as they learn about life and love. You will truly rejoice with each of them when things finally work out in the end.
By far, the best character in this movie is the quiet, grave, gentlemanly Colonel Brandon. He is, as Willoughby puts it, the kind of man whom everyone approves of behind his back, but no one thinks of to his face. He loves Marianne because of her innocence and love of beauty, and he keeps loving her, even when she falls for the dashing Willoughby. Here, truly, is the love that Marianne seeks, the love that "alters not when it alteration finds." The scene where he comes into the house and listens to Marianne singing is every bit as romantic as "The Look" in Pride and Prejudice.
I also really enjoyed the relationship between Elinor and Marianne. Although they were completely different, they learned in hardship that they were more alike than they imagined. Marianne learns that Elinor does have a heart just as passionate as hers; Elinor learns that Marianne does have a commitment to doing the right thing, just as she does. It was heartwarming to watch them grow into understanding each other, and each be able to celebrate the other's successes in the end.
I don't have much to say about this movie because it is such a classic ... my only recommendation is, if you love the book, if you love Jane Austen, and if you love romantic period dramas, you have to see this movie!
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