Sense and Sensibility

Released 1995
Stars Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, Greg Wise, Gemma Jones, Emilie Francois, Harriet Walter
Directed by Ang Lee

It's a curious thing that the best 1995 adaptation of a Jane Austen book happens to be of her worst novel. Sense and Sensibility is a wonderful motion picture, even given the weaknesses of the source material. Emma Thompson's screenplay has remained faithful to the events and spirit of the book, while somehow managing to plug a few holes and infuse the tale with more light humor than is evident in Austen's original text. The resulting product is a little too long (one-hundred thirty-five minutes), but still represents a fine time at the movies, especially for those with a bent towards historical romantic melodramas.

The story isn't all that complex or surprising, and those unfamiliar with Austen's work won't be left in the dark. We're introduced to the three Dashwood sisters: Elinor (Emma Thompson), the eldest -- a old maid past marriageable age who keeps her emotions bottled up in favor of a constant show of public decorum; Marianne (Kate Winslet), the middle child, who is Elinor's opposite in temperament and attitude; and Margaret (Emilie Francois), an eleven-year old who seems to be following in Marianne's uninhibited footsteps. The girls live with their mother (Gemma Jones) in a small country cottage to which they are "exiled" after their half-brother inherits their father's estate and decides there's not enough room for everyone.

During the course of Sense and Sensibility, three men come in and out of the Dashwoods' home: Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant), a charming, if somewhat inept, young gentleman who captures Elinor's heart; Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman), a gallant neighbor who is hopelessly smitten by Marianne; and the dashing Willoughby (Greg Wise), who is the living embodiment of Marianne's every fantasy. The story of who ends up with whom, and how they get that way, is told with deft skill and a pleasantly humorous romantic touch.

Summary by James Berardinelli

I absolutely adored the first half of this movie, and the low-key humor made me laugh aloud several times. The second half isn't as strong as it dips into melodrama and plot contrivances, but the overall package is very strong. Emma Thompson is luminous as the reserved Elinor, and she carries the film. It's even more impressive that she wrote the screenplay from Jane Austen's novel. It's pretty unusual for an actor of her stature to turn screenwriter. I enjoy comedies of manners, because it's fun to watch people allow society rule their emotions. The women in this movie tie themselves in knots, because they're not allowed to express themselves. Marianne chooses to flaunt the rules, however, and she expresses herself freely. Unfortunately for her, she's put in her place, and she learns a lesson from her big sister. All of this leads to the best moment of the film when Elinor allows herself to be overcome. After suppressing her emotions for her entire life, she has a meltdown and lets it all come out. It's an extremely honest moment, and it's very moving. --Bill Alward, April 21, 2002