Sense & Sensibility

Jane Austen is a fine writer, but her wordiness tends to drain the life from many of her characters. Thankfully, Emma Thompson recognized the limitations of the novel and adapted her screenplay accordingly, enhancing the humor of the original story and heightening drama to make the film more captivating. A cast was then chosen, made up of very talented thespians, including Miss Thompson herself. Add to that splendid English landscapes, excellent directing, haunting music, and superb cinematography, and what emerges is a modern masterpiece. This is no movie for action fans; it is far too cerebral and requires a serious attention span. For those who enjoy a good love story well told, this film delivers. The characters are three-dimensional and their dilemmas full of human drama, bound as they are by the morals and manners of the times. Three sisters and their mother are left virtually penniless by the stricture against females inheriting property then in place in English law. The half-brother to the Dashwood women receives it all, but his selfish wife talks him out of helping his stepmother and half-sisters. It is up to the two older girls---sensible Elinor and passionate Marianne---to seek their fortunes in romance while lacking a dowry to help them. Elinor finds her soulmate in shy, retiring Edward Ferrars, brother of the selfish sister-in-law, a man lacking in the usual Victorian ambitions. Her budding romance is shelved when his sister makes it clear that Elinor is "unsuitable" for Edward. The sisters and their mother then go to stay in a cottage owned by a kindly relative, Sir John, and his mother-in-law, the irrepressible Mrs. Jennings. The old woman is a confirmed gossip and matchmaker, bound to see one of the two sisters hitched up to Colonel Brandon, the most eligible bachelor in the area. Brandon first sees Marianne singing a melancholy song and is incurably smitten. She in turn loses her heart to a dashing young man named Willoughby, who is her ideal of a Victorian-era gentleman, complete with a pocket book of sonnets. Brandon, who loves her more than his own happiness, steps aside and even encourages their relationship, despite his dislike for the handsome rogue. Things take an unexpected turn for the worse for both sisters---Willoughby abruptly drops Marianne and flees to London with no explanation and Elinor discovers that Edward is engaged to a shallow young woman named Lucy Steele. The ensuing twists and turns in the plot make this film both agonizing and entertaining to watch. Mercifully, everyone winds up happy at the end wedded to the right person. The whole film is solidly done, but it is the acting that really shines. Thompson is perfect for the role of the calmer sister, while Winslett is brilliant as the mercurial Marianne. Grant is endearing as the gentle Edward; Rickman finally gets to display his considerable ability to act the part of a very good and unselfish man. The rest of the cast keeps pace with the leads, and Hugh Laurie is indescribably funny as the sarcastic Mr. Palmer. One very beautiful aspect of this movie, along with the tendency to get drawn into the story, is the evocative musical score that tugs at the heartstrings. All in all, this is a wonderful example of a film genre that is so often overlooked in today's world---period romance. More movies like this one desperately need to be produced. Buy this one today because it's a gem, perfect for an afternoon of inclement weather with your own soulmate.

I have watched this adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility more than a dozen times since it was released, and it never fails to enthrall me. It has everything one would expect of a classic movie - a good plot[ thanks in large part to Emma Thompson's excellent screenplay], stellar casting, gorgeous sets, costumes and lush scenery of the entrancing English countryside. The story of Sense & Sensibility is at heart a warm and insightful portrait of two sisters and their relationship to each other, as well as their romantic interests and a powerful social commentary of society in regency England. Those who are familiar with Jane Austen's works will appreciate how perceptive an observer she was of society at large and remarkable in her capability to capture powerful human emotions on paper. The plot of Sense & Sensibility the movie revolves around the Dashwood sisters, Elinor & Marianne, who upon the death of their beloved father are forced to move [together with their mother and younger sister] to a cottage in the English countryside and live on a paltry 500 pounds a year [due to English law at the time where property passes down through the male line]. Elinor [played excellently by the talented Emma Thompson] is the older, and more wise [sensible] sister, who tries not to let her emotions rule her, in direct contrast to her younger, feisty sister Marianne [a gorgeous English rose, Kate Winslet] who is passionate, outspoken and open in displaying her emotions. Elinor falls for Edward Ferrars [an awkward yet deferential & handsome Hugh Grant] who due to a youthful indiscretion is unable to follow through on his attachment to Elinor. Marianne, on the other hand falls hard for dashing rogue Willoughby [Greg Wise], ignoring propriety and openly displaying her affections. The rest of the story deals with how the Dashwood sisters resolve their plight, and the story is made even more compelling by the other characters, who may be deemed minor roles, certainly add to the depth of the storytelling - Colonel Brandon, a retired officer, who though much older, harbors a deep affection for Marianne [played by pre-Severus Snape Alan Rickman], the callous sis-in-law Fanny Dashwood [Harriet Waller], the scheming Lucy Steele [Imogen Stubbs]and numerous other characters, who though secondary to the plot, are certainly memorable. Taiwanese director Ang Lee [of Eat Drink, Man Woman & Wedding Banquet fame] certainly proves his mettle here and manages to flesh out amazing performances from his cast, and delivers a gem of a movie, and a true classic.

Even though this version does not follow the book precisely, it is my favorite of all of the Jane Austen movies. Alan Rickman's performance is a tour de force. Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet are also amazing, as is Hugh Grant. The soundtrack is so gorgeous. It's such a satisfying ending as well, but all Jane Austen books have happy endings, even though they seem impossible to end happily. The casting is so spot on that I can hardly describe it. I can't think of anyone else playing Colonel Brandon, or Elinor, especially. I have seen other versions, and they pale in comparison. This has been one of my favorite movies since the first time I saw it almost 30 years ago. And, by the way, Emma Thompson wrote the script and won best screenplay for it.

I'm a Jane Austen fan, and this is turning into my favourite film of all time. It is beautifully cast, and delivered, bringing the original book to full life, but showing a detailed and sensitive understanding of the original text, so that the result is both true and impacting. I didn't understand why this book was Jane Austen's favourite before owning this film. Now I can see it is about second chances at love, that seemed like second choices to me before - like settling, and compromising, which was sad - but they don't seem so now. Alan Rickman, Kate Winslett, and Emma Thompson play their parts perfectly, and their work is deeply touching in all the right places.

Für Kauf-DVDs gibt es Regionalcodes. Für Europa ist es die 2. Die gesendete DVD hat Code 1,3,4 und kann in Deutschland nicht abgespielt werden. Man müsste ein Rip-Verfahren anwenden, was aber illegal ist.

It's one of my most favourite movies. It was great 15 years ago, and it is same wonderful now.

I wanted to watch it again after Alan Rickman died. I loved it even more on repeat viewing--noticed a few things I'd missed, like Hugh Laurie looking at Emma Thompson as it became clear to him what life would be like with a woman who was the complete opposite of his silly wife. Also noteworthy was Alan Rickman's grin and uniform in the wedding scene: suddenly he showed himself as the military man he was and instantly turned into a romantic hero, conjuring up all the girls who were a pushover for those soldiers in red coats. In other words, I approve of the director's modifications and additions to the original story, including the fleshing out Edward Ferrars' character by his interaction with Eleanor's and Marianne's little sister, who was invisible in the novel. Hugh Grant playing against type was marvelous. But the heart and soul of it were the fine performances by Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet.

Despite the blurb stating that this DVD was compatible for UK and Europe, my DVD player rejected it as incompatible. I love this film. It's a shame I can't watch it!