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Sense and Sensibility Customer Reviews (55 - 57 of 85 Reviews)

Could Not Be Better
How can a romantic comedy about seeking marriage mates win the Berlinale, one of the most prestigious film festivals? Well, this splendid adaptation of a classic Jane Austen novel did just that in 1996, combining fabulous writing (and acting) of Emma Thompson and great directing of Ang Lee ("The Wedding Banquet", "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon").

Other performances are also first-class. Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman and Hugh Grant shine (personally, I've never seen a role to be so fitting for Grant, although "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "About a Boy" came close). The whole cast is flawless.

When the film came out, even the self-proclaimed film saviour Quentin Tarantino could not help himself but quip: "Who the F... is Jane Austen?" Yes, this English author who lived 200 years ago wrote only romantic novels about girls (and men) who are in want of a spouse. But she achieved perfencion in this very limited space (the novel "Pride and Prejudice" is probably the best). In this movie, the very human side -- the desire not to be alone, to spend a lifetime with the One -- is described with power. Finding the true love was the prime thing for the two Dashwood sisters. But, is it still not true for most of us, even in this cold, material world?

Emma Thompson, already an Oscar winner for her leading role in "Howards End" (1992), won the Oscar for this film's adapted screenplay, becoming the first artist ever to achieve such a feat -- winning the Academy Awards for both acting and writing.

Apart from saving all important aspects of the story, Thompson included very poignant and sharp moments in the script. When her character Elinor and Edward Ferrars (played by Grant) are on a cruise ride, she says, 'you inherit your money. We cannot even make it,' hinting at the situation of middle class women two centuries ago, when their fortunes depended heavily either on inheritance from father or property of husband -- and it was imaginable they should go to work. A great social commentary.

Beatifully shot, with delicate music score by Patrick Doyle, "Sense and Sensibility" is predominantly an entertaining film. But its social and human undertones are undeniable. It did win Berlin festival and the Golden Globe, but lost the Oscar race to "Braveheart". Maybe for the lack of great human topic that would rank it along "Schindler's List" or "The English Patient". Yet I feel that there was not the film in 1995 to deserve the big Oscar more than this one.

If you have sense and sensbility, you will laugh and you will cry. This is a film to love.

Looking for love in jolly olde England
Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility comes to the screen in a visually stunning, beautifully acted film. Emma Thompson stars as Elinor Dashwood, the sensible older sister of Marianne (Kate Winslet), who is idealistic and passionate about life and love. Elinor falls in love with the handsome and wealthy Edward (Hugh Grant), who may be keeping a secret from her. Marianne is completely besotted with the dashing and mysterious Mr. Willoughby. She, however, is persued by a much older and very conservative nobleman, Col. Brandon (Alan Rickman), who has a painful past.

The film follows the sisters on the road to love and happiness, which is quite a bumpy road, due to the rigorous constraints of 18th century society and manners. In the end, of course, true love previals for both sisters, as we always knew it would.

The English countryside is photographed in its splendor and the period homes and costumes are a delight. Emma Thompson captivates as the long-suffering Elinor, and Alan Rickman steals the show as the pitiable Colonel. If you like romance and period films, you will enjoy Sense and Sensibility.

Wonderful!
If you liked the book by Jane Austen, then you MUST see this movie adaption. Emma Thompson has done a wonderful job adapting Jane Austen's text to film -- the dialogue is just as snappy & fun as the writing. This is one of those rare cases in which I liked the movie as well as the book. The movie's setting & cast even exceeded the mental pictures I concocted in reading -- the Barton cottage & the choices of Hugh Grant for the role of Edward and Thompson & Winslet for the sisters are perfect matches for Austen's witty descriptions. The few scenes from the book which are left out seem incidental to the heart of the story -- also, a few characters are left out or "streamlined" into one. My only complaint is the "Hollywood" ending with Marianne's sudden transition to happiness. Austen shows her gradually coming back around to love -- which seems much more true to life. If you've read this book, you'll want to see the movie -- Thompson is to Austen as Kenneth Branaugh is to Shakespeare. For those who HAVEN'T read Jane Austen's wonderful book, this is one of those rare cases in which you can watch the movie first & not feel dissatisfied with the book later. Go ahead & indulge! If you like a period movie, this is a lovely choice -- the depiction of late 18th century British society is both enchanting & funny. If you've seen Hugh Grant in any of his later charming, self-effacing roles & liked him, then you must catch him in this movie -- it's the model for many of his later roles. The costumes, the setting, the dialogue, the acting & the "lesson" are all wonderful here. It's not action-adventure -- it's an Ang Lee film rather than a Bruce Lee movie. Don't expect to like it if you prefer chase scenes & excitement. However, for a heartfelt portrayal of romance, family, and (to boil it down) the quest for "Mr. Right," all set in Georgian England, then try "Sense & Sensibility." It's well-worth owning so you can watch it again & again!

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