Sense And Sensibility DVD > Reviews > Superb adaptation of a classic novel

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Standard
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	Excellent characters, script, story and cinematography
Disadvantages:	Not everyone's cup of tea

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

~ Note: Silly me put this review in the wrong section. Have asked for it to be moved. ~

Ang Lee's enchanting big-screen version of "Sense and Sensibility" does justice to Jane Austen's novel. The novel - first published in 1811 - was gracefully adapted for the big screen by first-time screenwriter Emma Thompson, who received an Oscar for her efforts - as well as a nomination for Best Actress for her starring role as Elinor Dashwood. Released in 1995, the film also provides an entertaining glimpse of some famous faces - notably Kate Winslet, Thompson and Hugh Grant - looking significantly younger than they do today.

Mrs Henry Dashwood (Gemma Jones) and her three daughters, Elinor, Marianne and Margaret are left in financially straitened circumstances when her stepson John Dashwood (James Fleet) inherits the whole of his father's estate, Norland, since the law prevents his father Henry from leaving property to John's half-sisters. However, his father urges him on his deathbed to do the right thing by them. While initially having every intention of honouring his father's wishes, John allows himself to be quickly persuaded out of this by his unpleasant, grasping wife Fanny (Harriet Walter), and the couple move into Norland, declining to settle any money on Henry's second family. Mrs Dashwood and her three daughters - the sensible, controlled Elinor (Thompson), passionate, demonstrative Marianne (Winslet) and twelve-year-old tomboy Margaret (Emilie Francois) - are hence forced to vacate their home and move, thanks to the charity of a relative, the boisterous Sir John Middleton, to a "cottage" (actually quite a substantial residence!) in Devonshire. Suitors for each of the two elder girls quickly become apparent, including likeable Edward Ferrers (Hugh Grant), the brother of Fanny Dashwood; John Willoughby (Greg Wise, the real-life Mr Emma Thompson), an attractive but impecunious young man; and Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman, who I now have trouble seeing as anyone other than Professor Snape), an old family friend.

Unable due to social convention to seek jobs, the girls' only option is to find socially suitable husbands - but love is, of course, also a not insignificant consideration.

Director Ang Lee, whose previous films included 1993's The Wedding Banquet and 1994's Eat Drink Man Woman - both Taiwanese films - initially seemed an odd choice for a comedy of 19th-century British manners and morals, but turns out to be an inspired selection as he does a superb job in this his first English-language film, eliciting excellent performances from his cast, particularly Thompson and Winslet. Alan Rickman's shy Colonel Brandon also provides a pleasant change of pace from his usual bad-guy roles. Thompson's Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay was well deserved, as she has achieved a faithful, intelligent and coherent rendering of Austen's plot which - while not a substitute for reading the novel - does succeed in providing much of its flavour. Oscar nominations were also received for Best Picture; Best Supporting Actress (Kate Winslet); Best Cinematography; Best Costume Design and Best Dramatic Score, as well as a second nomination for Thompson as Best Actress.

"Sense and Sensibility" is a satisfying, intelligent adaptation of Austen's novel and a visual feast, Lee's often distanced framing working superbly as a rendering of Austen's elegant, coolly ironic prose. More than just another period drama, it communicates much about human emotions and the realities of women's lives in the early 19th century. As Elinor Dashwood comments to Edward Ferrers, prevented by family pressure from fulfilling his own ambitions: "You talk about feeling idle and useless: imagine how that is compounded when one has no hope and no choice of any occupation whatsoever... You will inherit your fortune, we cannot even earn ours."

A wonderful film, highly recommended.

Special DVD features:

- Director Ang Lee and co-director James Schamus - audio commentary
- Emma Thompson and producer Lindsay Doran - audio commentary
- Two deleted scenes (a dialogue between Elinor and her mother, and a kiss between Elinor and Edward)
- Emma Thompson's Golden Globe acceptance speech
- Trailers

The film itself is 135 minutes long and the DVD is available for £5.97 from Amazon.