Review of Sense and Sensibility

The film does credit to Jane Austen's novel. The screenplay is very well-written, settings are wonderful and acting is fine. Sense And Sensibility is the romance at its best – complex, unhurried, intriguing and moving story, set in 19th century's British country. I usually find one weak point in Austen's works – that is a lack of direct speech especially in key moments. The movie solved the problem. There are just enough dialogues and plenty other things to enjoy – amusing details and minor characters, picturesque nature, elegant houses and two beautiful heroines with dramatic love-stories. Emma Thompson is certainly the star of the film. I've always considered her as an outstanding actress, but never knew as screenwriter. She made a really interesting and heart-warming adaptation of the novel as well as created convincing image of Elinor Dashwood, the heroine with ‘sense'. As Mr. Dashwood dies, his son from the first marriage inherits everything, and the second wife with three daughters gets no house and almost no income. They are hospitably accepted by their relative Sir John Middletone and occupy small modest cottage. The elder daughter Elinor is forced to become the head of the family for her mother and sister Marianne are too sentimental and unpractical, and Margaret is a child. Elinor manages housekeeping concealing in her heart affection to Edward Ferras, a bashful young man who seemed to be in love with her but never confessed it and went away to make his career according to the wish of his family. Dashwoods family gets acquainted with new neighbors and Marianne finds at once two suitors – respectable colonel Brandon and dashing Mr. Willoughby. The exalted girl madly falls in love with that romantically figure of Willoughby. Young man shows clearly that he likes her however… he turns out to be a wicked person and deserts her to marry on money, breaking Marianne's heart. Poor Elinor meanwhile discovers that Edward has been secretly engaged for five years to Lucy Steel. However, she hides her pain and becomes absorbed in her sister's illness. The end, of course, is happy. Emma Thompson and Kate Winslete are both superb in their parts, making viewers share anxiety, sufferings and joys of the characters. Hugh Grant is good as Edward, pleasant, quiet and affectionate; sometimes he exaggerates his shyness and awkwardness, coming to comedy, but he is still nice. Allan Rickman was a right choice for serious and noble colonel, perfect gentleman with troubled past who finds new love. To my taste, Greg Wise as Willoughby is not a type of man to die from love for, Rickman is better in every sense… but tastes differ. And he acts very well. Emilie Fransois shines as young Margaret; she is too daring for a well-bred girl of Austen's time, but it works in a film. Supporting cast is also excellent, some unforgettable performances add much to the atmosphere of the movie. Robert Hardy's Sir Middletone and Elizabeth Spriggs' Mrs. Jennings are masterpieces. Imogen Stubbs is excellent Lucy Steel, light-headed but mercantile and insincere girl. Hugh Laurie and Imelda Staunton amuse us a comic pair of Palmers. The direction, cinematography, costume design, etc – all is splendid. It's a pity that this brilliant movie received only one Oscar. Highly recommended (and so is Simon Langton's Pride And Prejudice).