Sense & Sensibility (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'Sense & Sensibility' is a fascinating film; not only for its story, but for it's surprising filmmaking pedigree. Emma Thompson stars in the film ... but she also wrote the screenplay! And Taiwan-borN director Ang Lee took a stab at directing this 19th century British period piece; acquitting himself very, very well. It's the eccentricity of the filmmaking which stands-out (about the movie), but the acting, story, & production values are solidly impressive, as well. This type of film is usually reserved for the older, art house crowd. But Ang Lee & Emma Thompson really make this film fun & involving enough to appeal to broad masses.
Mrs. Dashwood (Gemma Jones) & her 3 daughters, Elinor (Thompson), Marianne (Kate Winslet), & Margaret (Emilie Francois), are cruelly deprived of a home & inheritance upon the death of their father. Law decrees that glorious Norland Park must pass on to his son by a previous marriage (their half-brother). The Dashwoods are saved from poverty & humiliation, however, by their cousin, Sir Middleton; as he offers them his quaint cottage in the countryside. This is all nice enough, but the Dashwood's lack of fortune also affects both their social status & the marriage-ability of the practical Elinor & the romantic Marianne.
When Elinor forms an attachment to the charming, if somewhat inept Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant), his own family disapproves of the match & separates them. Meanwhile, Marianne is set to be with the rich, dignified Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman), but she has her own designs on the fetching Mr. Willoughby (Greg Wise). Elinor is devastated when the man who captures her heart is inaccessible. And while Marianne recognizes how gallant Col. Brandon is (& he's hopelessly in love with her), she, too, gets separated from the man she truly loves, Mr. Willoughby. Who gets to be with who? And how will it come to pass?
Elinor, the 30-something yr. older sister is bereft at her missed opportunity with Edward Ferrars. But she's the kind of woman whose outer shell is resolute, while her inner emotions are left to flounder. Bottled up, we sympathize with her greatly. And Emma Thompson's beautifully, restrained portrayal of Elinor is simply exquisite; and comes up on you at the sneakiest of moments. There's just something poignant about watching characters conceal broken hearts beneath a civilized exterior. Marianne is the polar opposite in temperament to her elder sister, Elinor: free spirited, energetic, & overly-emotional. But she faces hardships & heartbreak, too (when the embodiment of her perfect man, Willoughby, slips away). Like Elinor, we sympathize with her lost love. Kate Winslet is wonderful, here; breaking my heart in a scene where Marianne stands in the rain, looking on at Willoughby's estate, faintly calling his name to the wind.
Other great performances come from Alan Rickman as Col. Brandon. We usually see him as a villain in movies (Die Hard), but I fully believed him in this aching, romantic role. Even Hugh Grant (someone who's never bowled me over) impressed me as Edward, Elinor's seemingly perfect fit. And I also highly enjoyed Elizabeth Spriggs' comedic turn as the Dashwood's nosy, but jubilant neighbor, Mrs. Jennings.
The screenplay, based from Jane Austen's novel, & written by Thompson infuses great insight, light melodrama & humor into the proceedings. There are countless conversation-driven scenes that both put my brain to work and made my emotions run high. The cinematography is beautiful. The production design & period costumes are impeccable. And the musical score is delightful. But of course, when one watches this genre of movie, you want the story to win out. The story must reel you in - and this one does. 'Sense & Sensibility' is a well-crafted film that got me involved in the characters' well-beings (hard to do, as these people are more privileged than the average human being); but they need forgiveness like everybody else. I enjoyed my time with these people. And it always helps (for me) when the characters - who've endured hardships/loss - get their happy ending; as all of these people do.
Mrs. Dashwood (Gemma Jones) & her 3 daughters, Elinor (Thompson), Marianne (Kate Winslet), & Margaret (Emilie Francois), are cruelly deprived of a home & inheritance upon the death of their father. Law decrees that glorious Norland Park must pass on to his son by a previous marriage (their half-brother). The Dashwoods are saved from poverty & humiliation, however, by their cousin, Sir Middleton; as he offers them his quaint cottage in the countryside. This is all nice enough, but the Dashwood's lack of fortune also affects both their social status & the marriage-ability of the practical Elinor & the romantic Marianne.
When Elinor forms an attachment to the charming, if somewhat inept Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant), his own family disapproves of the match & separates them. Meanwhile, Marianne is set to be with the rich, dignified Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman), but she has her own designs on the fetching Mr. Willoughby (Greg Wise). Elinor is devastated when the man who captures her heart is inaccessible. And while Marianne recognizes how gallant Col. Brandon is (& he's hopelessly in love with her), she, too, gets separated from the man she truly loves, Mr. Willoughby. Who gets to be with who? And how will it come to pass?
Elinor, the 30-something yr. older sister is bereft at her missed opportunity with Edward Ferrars. But she's the kind of woman whose outer shell is resolute, while her inner emotions are left to flounder. Bottled up, we sympathize with her greatly. And Emma Thompson's beautifully, restrained portrayal of Elinor is simply exquisite; and comes up on you at the sneakiest of moments. There's just something poignant about watching characters conceal broken hearts beneath a civilized exterior. Marianne is the polar opposite in temperament to her elder sister, Elinor: free spirited, energetic, & overly-emotional. But she faces hardships & heartbreak, too (when the embodiment of her perfect man, Willoughby, slips away). Like Elinor, we sympathize with her lost love. Kate Winslet is wonderful, here; breaking my heart in a scene where Marianne stands in the rain, looking on at Willoughby's estate, faintly calling his name to the wind.
Other great performances come from Alan Rickman as Col. Brandon. We usually see him as a villain in movies (Die Hard), but I fully believed him in this aching, romantic role. Even Hugh Grant (someone who's never bowled me over) impressed me as Edward, Elinor's seemingly perfect fit. And I also highly enjoyed Elizabeth Spriggs' comedic turn as the Dashwood's nosy, but jubilant neighbor, Mrs. Jennings.
The screenplay, based from Jane Austen's novel, & written by Thompson infuses great insight, light melodrama & humor into the proceedings. There are countless conversation-driven scenes that both put my brain to work and made my emotions run high. The cinematography is beautiful. The production design & period costumes are impeccable. And the musical score is delightful. But of course, when one watches this genre of movie, you want the story to win out. The story must reel you in - and this one does. 'Sense & Sensibility' is a well-crafted film that got me involved in the characters' well-beings (hard to do, as these people are more privileged than the average human being); but they need forgiveness like everybody else. I enjoyed my time with these people. And it always helps (for me) when the characters - who've endured hardships/loss - get their happy ending; as all of these people do.