Sense and Sensibility

 Jane Austen movies are a serious business; they come over and over every decade, in forms obvious and discreet, and there’s no getting rid of them.

In Plain English, Jethro!

It’s time for another film of Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen’s official debut as a novelist. Ang Lee’s 1995 film, whose star Emma Thompson also wrote its Oscar-winning screenplay, remains a gold standard of Austen films. Let’s see what director Georgia Oakley and screenwriter Diana Reid bring to the tale.

So, what would that be?

Here goes, Vance ...

Shortly after their dad’s death, the Dashwood sisters - Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones), Marianne (Esme Creed-Miles) and Margaret (Bodhi Rae Breathnach) - and their mother (Caitríona Balfe), lose their financial security to their elder half-brother John (Tom Brooke) and his scheming wife, Fanny (Stacy Martin). Since it’s not-so-jolly-old England, they have no means to protest their reversal of fortune. But they do have Mrs. Jennings (Fiona Shaw), who invites them over to stay over at Devonshire. They take the invite and head off.

At Devonshire, Marianne falls for both the brooding Col. Brandon (Herbert Nordrum) and the roguish Willoughby (Frank Dillane). Elinor, meanwhile, has feelings for Fanny’s nicer brother, Edward Ferrars (George Mackay), which they can’t publicly reciprocate for various reasons. As usual, they’ll have to sift through all the romantic entanglements before they can reach a happy ever after.

And what can they expect before then?

They can expect a delightful cast, headlined rather well by Elinor and Marianne’s sisterhood. They’re joyous to watch together, especially since they never tire of each other. Apart, you’ll definitely feel for them when they face their romantic entanglements. It’s especially endearing when Elinor helps care for Marianne when the latter falls ill. And yes, the happy ending is a nice reward.

As for Margaret, she gets involved in a cute running gag at the start, but she’s barely relevant to the plot, just as she was in the novel.

The only thing I had issue with Edward is his complicated entanglement with one Lucy Steele. There’s also the prolonged misunderstanding at the finale, but what romantic comedy doesn’t have one these days? Otherwise, Edward's a good guy, and him finally proposing to Elinor will have you smiling. When Willoughby’s nice guy act eventually crumbles, he still suffers tangible shame over his misdeeds. It’s hard to top, for many, what Alan Rickman did as Col. Brandon in 1995, but this version dragging out Willoughby for a duel is quite a surprise. It helps that Nordrum’s saturnine performance fits the character, especially when he outlines his tragic backstory to Marianne.

Amongst the supporting cast, none shine brighter than Mrs. Jennings, who can chat up a storm seemingly for hours. You’ll never grow tired of her, especially whenever she chimes in with worldly advice. Her pug, with whom she’s never without, is quite enjoyable too. Her son-in-law, Mr. Middleton (Turlough Convery), is also quite the character. Meanwhile, John is just a dolt, while Fanny is an unlikable dolt, both by design.

Speaking of designs, they’re certainly not lacking in sense. It opens with Marianne running through the countryside, filmed magnificently by Arnaud Potier and accentuated by Roger Goula’s sensible score. As it goes on, we’re treated to a succession of frames that could adorn an art museum. They’re also inhabited by the exquisite works of production designer Francesca Di Mottola and costume designer Grace Snell. And finally, let’s give a point to editor Izabella Curry, for that tense duel scene. 

Wrap it up, Jethro!

I can only pronounce this Sense and Sensibility to be a respectable movie. It's not overwhelmingly romantic, but it still possesses an amiable demeanor, exquisite visuals and a delightfully quirky supporting cast. As with Emma., it's sure to take a few viewings to understand its romantic entanglements. In this viewing, I was intrigued with the narrative similarities to its literary sibling, Pride and Prejudice. Then again, it's probably because it's the most thorough Austen book I've read.

What kind of thoughts will you have? Find out for yourself if you watch it now.