Sense and Sensibility

It may look like from the con comments that I did not like this film. Quite the opposite! It has turned into one of my favorites -- and each time I watch it, the more I enjoy it.

All of Jane Austen's novels dealt with class, manners and were biting social commentaries on England's class structure in the early 1800's. They also remain the best of the novels of the period. Now onto this particular adaptation.

I was rather surprised that Ang Lee (of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame) had directed this movie. It is subtle, full of emotion that is masked, and is a delight to watch. The action is slow paced, and the viewer is advised to pay attention to the dialogue and action, as so not to miss any of the small details that add up to a very great deal of the film. The screenplay was adapted by Emma Thompson (who won an Oscar for her efforts), who also played the part of Miss Elinor Dashwood.

The sets and costumes caught Regency England perfectly, and the casting was superb. Who would have thought that Alan Rickman could play the part of Colonel Christopher Brandon with such a quiet fire? But he does, and I was enraptured. But I'm getting a little ahead of myself here.

In short, the film opens with the owner of Norland dying, and telling the son of his first marriage that he should provide some comfort for his stepmother, Mrs. Dashwood (Gemma Jones) and half-sisters, Elinor (Emma Thompson), Marianne (Kate Winslet) and Margaret. Of course, that isn't what happens, and the four women soon find themselves driven from the only home that they have known, and living in reduced circumstances. To complicate matters further, Elinor has fallen for her sister-in-law's brother, Edward Farres (Hugh Grant); neither of them declare their feelings openly to each other, although it is quite obvious to everyone around them and to the audience. Edward is too constrained by his own tenuous circumstances, and probably shyness, and Elinor is much too sensible to ever say anything either.

Off the women go to Devonshire to live, where they make the acquiantance of two neighbors, Colonel Brandon, and Mr. Willoughby. Both of the gentlemen are very attracted to Marianne, the opposite of her sister, in that she is very beautiful, passionate and willing to live her life in full Romantic ideals.

There are misunderstandings that complicate the two women's lives, and throughout the two sisters, each cruelly played by the mores of the time that stated that marriage was best made for money, not love -- remain devoted and loving to each other. By the end of the film both have grown a lot -- Elinor adopting some of her sister's love of life and emotion, and Marianne aquiring some sensibility as she finds the man who will love her both wisely and well.

It's a great little movie to watch. There's not a bad bit of acting in it, and Regency England is captured with magnificent sets, costumes, manners and acting. I recommend the DVD version as you will get some background features, subtitling in several languages, widescreen display which gives the full shot of the screen, and the resolution and sound are at their best quality.

Suitable for any age, no one will find anything offensive in this film.