Plot
The recipient of seven Oscar® nominations, this film version of Jane Austen's classic 1811 novel stars Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood. With her mother and sisters, Elinor struggles financially after the death of her father, who bequeathed the Dashwood estate to his oafish son by an earlier marriage. While sorting out the family's affairs, the shy, self-sacrificing Elinor secretly falls for her stepbrother-in-law, Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant), a sensitive, well-educated bachelor who cannot court her because of his foolhardy youthful engagement to the greedy Lucy Steele (Imogen Stubbs). The grateful Dashwoods are offered a modest country home by family friends, which they accept. Once relocated, Elinor's brash, spirited sister Marianne (Kate Winslet) falls for a dashing local, John Willoughby (Greg Wise), a womanizer who nevertheless seems to share her affections. A prominent neighbor, Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman), also falls in love with Marianne, but she is oblivious to the older man's affections. Eventually, Willoughby fails Marianne, breaking her heart, until she realizes Brandon's feelings. When Edward's family disowns him, Lucy marries his brother instead, leaving him free to pursue an exultant Elinor. Thompson won the film's sole Oscar® for her screenplay adaptation of Austen's novel. ~ Karl Williams, RoviReview
An exquisitely detailed rendering of the acclaimed Jane Austen novel, and superbly adapted by Oscar-winning actress and star Emma Thompson (who scored an Oscar on her first try as a screenwriter), this look at social mores in 19th-century England actually seems more contemporary than many films of its ilk. Perfectly cast right down the line, the film benefits from clear, straightforward storytelling and the keen eye of director Ang Lee, whose past efforts, while set in different eras, show him to be immediately worthy of creating such a rich piece of work. Of all the faithful adaptations of Austen's sometimes fanciful books, this one seems to be the most accessible, especially on an emotional level, as it deals with humor and heartbreak with assurance and understanding. Best of all, the film breaks free of the stagnant characteristics that so many associate with period films. Sense and Sensibility enjoyed great success in its release, mostly because of its timeless ability to tap into the sympathies of modern audiences without insulting their intelligence or cheapening a great story for mass consumption. ~ Jason Clark, RoviCast
- Emma Thompson - Elinor Dashwood
- Alan Rickman - Colonel Brandon
- Kate Winslet - Marianne Dashwood
- Hugh Grant - Edward Ferrars
- James Fleet - John Dashwood
- Greg Wise - John Willoughby
Credit
Philip Elton - Art Director, Andrew Sanders - Art Director, Geoff Stier - Associate Producer, Michelle Guish - Casting, James Schamus - Co-producer, Laurie Borg - Co-producer, Jenny Beavan - Costume Designer, John Bright - Costume Designer, Christopher Newman - First Assistant Director, Ang Lee - Director, Tim Squyres - Editor, Sydney Pollack - Executive Producer, Patrick Doyle - Composer (Music Score), Morag Ross - Makeup, Luciana Arrighi - Production Designer, Michael Coulter - Cinematographer, Lindsay Doran - Producer, Ian Whittaker - Set Designer, Tony Dawe - Sound/Sound Designer, Emma Thompson - Screenwriter, Jane Austen - Book Author| Sense and Sensibility (1981 Film), Sense and Sensibility (1971 Film) | |
| Sense and Sensibility (2008 Film), Sense of Music (1985 Film) |
Copyright © 2012 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Movie Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.
