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Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I have Sense and Sensibility on DVD. This is one of my absolute favorite movies. I've seen it many times. I love it! It may be a "chick flick", but my husband has seen it and liked it quite a bit. I think it's hysterical when Sir John and his mother-in-law (her name escapes me for some reason) ask Elinor to play the pianoforte after Marianne has finished. "And I believe I know what key you'll be playing in. F major." I laugh out loud everytime. And poor Marianne. Truly heartbreaking. But in the end, it turns out the way it should. I don't want to give away too much to those who may not have seen it yet, but I was so glad it turned out the way it did for Marianne and...well, you'll just have to see it! And what beautiful scenery. A truly wonderful film.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: AMAZING
Review: I loved this movie. Not for its base on the classic novel, but for the personality the actors brung to their roles.These actors made me truly believe I was there.

I also enjoyed the authenticy of the costumes and language.

Even if you have never read the novel SENSE AND SENSIBILITY you will enjoy and fall in love with this film.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Although it rained, we saw no mud
Review: This would appear to be the sort of production the Academy votes as best picture, and indeed Sense and Sensibility was duly nominated in 1996, but lost out to Braveheart. I'm not sure why, but my guess is that Sense and Sensibility lacked something in the minds of the members of the Academy, call it...dirt.

Everything is a little too pretty, a little too clean and well behaved in this charming adaptation of Jane Austen's first novel. Director Ang Lee might have provided some insight into early 19th century England by showing the poverty and squalor of the London streets instead of just having the girls step around a little horse manure. Lee might also have shown that the servants had it worse than the gentry by expanding the scene where they are let go by showing just where some of them did go. Lee's direction hints at a wider world of poverty and real pain, but rejects having it intrude. Although the full force of the industrial revolution and attendant horrors were yet to come, they might have been presaged so that Austen's world is given perspective for the modern audience. Soon the skies of England would be blackened with smoke from coal and most of its citizens turned into proletarian cogs.

But Austen knew and/or cared about that not at all, and instead wrote with singular attention about the gentry and their acquisitive aspirations and genteel manners, and this is the novel that Emma Thompson captured so well in her Academy Award winning screenplay. The fact that the Dashwoods lost their estate and had to live in a cottage and practice thrift within a budget was a very real tragedy to Austen, although not to us. She was obsessed with the injustice of being a young woman without means living within a society that allowed upward mobility by women only through marriage. So she showed women playing that game to perfection, and winning.

Emma Thompson as the sensible Elinor Dashwood was flawless, as usual; and Kate Winslet as her sister, the sensual Marianne who wears her heart on her sleeve, proved once again that she is a gifted and charismatic actress second to none. The supporting cast, especially Elizabeth Spriggs as Mrs. Jennings, and Harriet Walter as Fanny Dashwood, was superb. The cinematography was gorgeous, even arresting at times.

Most uncomfortable scene: Marianne being bled. This reminds us that sometimes one has to overcome both the disease and the physician.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is a movie you watch over and over. It's extremely well done and very moving.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Superior Adaptation - Great for entire family!
Review: Just recently I viewed this movie after having seen it years earlier. This time with my entire family. We all truly enjoyed it. Jane Austins novel is performed extremely well. The casting was superior. Emma Thompson's crying scene was moving and utterly believable. Kate Winslet gives a noteworthy performance. What a wonderful period piece with such royal passion. Easily a movie that could be viewed many times and still capture interest.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Jane Austen Classic Is Born Again!
Review: All fans of Jane Austen's works should see this masterpiece from Ang Lee. Emma Thompson plays Elinor Dashwood,and her family includes her sister Marianne (Kate Winslet) her mother and her youngest sister. They are forced to move to a small cottage on the estate of a relative when their home is entailed away from them when their father dies. At the new cottage,new friends and foes are found,including the dashing Willoughby (Greg Wise) Elinor is still pining for Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant) back home,and is sure had she not moved away a proposal would have been imminent. A trip to London broadens horizons and breaks Marianne's heart as she finds out that Willoughby is to marry another on the grounds that she has a large fortune. Marianne grows weak and feverish almost to the point of death upon this news. Will things become right again? Find out and buy this endearing classic!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Endearing
Review: Hats off of Emma Thompson for her wonderful screenplay. She did a superb job of putting this story together. Even though she's a little too old for Elinor's nineteen, she played the part very well indeed. The Dashwoods, under the recent loss of the father, lose their beloved Norland to the half-brother, John. John and his selfish wife, Fanny quickly take over. While still in residence, the Dashwoods are introduced to Fanny's visiting brother, Edward. He is shy, but witty. Hugh Grant plays the part well. Edward and Elinor form an attachment, but Fanny does not approve. Her only wish is to get the Dashwoods out of her house and separate ther brother from Miss Dashwood. Recieving a cottage by Mrs. Dashwood's cousin, the family depart Norland to take up residence in the more affordable home, surrounded by beautiful countryside and sea side. Elinor we know is saddened, but she doesn't show it. Their landlord, Middleton and his mother-in-law Mrs. Jennings are overly friendly. Mrs. Jennings is an annoying busy body who would be better off learning to mind her own business. Sometimes I just wanted to slap her and tell her to shut up! The best thing to come out of the too-friendly landlord is that the Dashwoods become aquainted with Colonel Brandon. Marianne's infatutation with Willoughby, after he rescues her and carries her home after a tumble developes into an intense love. Willoughby appears to feel the same, but I got the impression while watching that he didn't care for Marianne as much as he acted. Willoughby receives some news and must away, in essence deserting Marianne. Her hurt at this terrible loss is touching. And it takes her a long time to get over it. I won't go on and summarize ALL of the events. Just watch it yourself. And forget about Elinor and Edward. Theirs is a nice little story, but I was far more moved by the storyline involving Marianne and Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman, playing the Colonel to perfection). His love for her is amazing. He is so patient, unselfish, quietly loving her as she herself is indifferent to him. Though not as dashingly handsome as Willoughby, he has more character and is by far the better man. I found him much more likeable. I loved the moment at Marianne's sickbed when after Colonel Brandon fetches Mrs. Dashwood, Marianne says "thank you" to him. Anyone who watches this movie will guess the outcome. Jane Austen was all about happy endings and having the right couples get together. Love conquers all, it's said, and it certainly does is this film. And since "Marianne could never love by halves", I was very happy with the ending. This is a must see for anyone in the mood for a romantic film, and especially for Jane Austen fans.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best movie produced in a long time
Review: My family and I enjoy quiet, well-done proformances, and this is the best one we have come across for a long time (with the exception of "Little Women" starring Wynona Rider) I really like it beacuse the romance is not too steamy, and everyone in the film remembers their manners. Emma Thompson does an excellant job as the eldest sister. For anyone looking for a clean family movie, select "Sense and Sensibility" you will not be dissapionted!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Loved It!
Review: Don't miss this movie! It's a brilliant adaptation of the Jane Austen classic and simply lovely to watch. Emma Thompson did an excellent job on the screenplay, and deservedly won an Oscar for her efforts.

I agree that in the age department, Emma Thompson was not suited to carry the role of Elinor Dashwood (who's supposed to be only 19). However, Ms Thompson's acting was brilliant and flawless, and as the story unfolds and draws you in, you hardly remember to notice or care about the age factor anymore. I thought Emma Thompson's portrayal of Elinor was not unlike the character of Margaret Schlegel (which she played in "Howards End") who's also a kind gentlewoman who loves too much and suffers inwardly.

As a story, "Sense and Sensibility" (S&S) has a far more serious premise compared to 2 other Austen works ie. "Emma" and "Mansfield Park". Perhaps this partly explains why S&S is the more highly-acclaimed movie (it was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars) compared to Gwyneth Paltrow's "Emma" and Frances O'Connor's "Manfield Park". In S&S, there are very sad scenes involving unrequited love, quiet suffering (Elinor's and Col. Brandon's) and long illness (Marianne's). Many scenes will make you reach for that box of tissues eg. when the always calm-and-collected Elinor burst into uncontrollable tears the moment she hears the (happy) truth concerning Edward Ferrar's situation, and when Marianne (still lying ill in her bed) thanks Col. Brandon softly (for all his help and kindness).

I also admire Alan Rickman's acting. He is perfect as Col. Brandon, a very good man whose love for Marianne is (sadly) unrequited. His love is of the best kind - he doesn't court with (empty) flowery words, instead he displays so much care, concern, lovingness and tenderness by his every look towards Marianne and by his every action to make her well and happy. I was nicely surprised that in the movie, Col. Brandon looks more dashing and handsome than John Willoughby (to me anyway).

Kate Winslet's "Marianne" is adorable as well. She sings beautifully and has such grace and beauty that it's no wonder men fell in love with her at first sight.

I shall not give away the ending, of course. But for the benefit of any viewer who have not read the novel but wish for a better and more satisfying understanding of the final scene involving Marianne, just remember the following sentence which I quote from the novel:

"Marianne could never love by halves."

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Beautifully Done!
Review: For anyone who enjoyed Emma, Pride and Prejudice, or the like, this film is a must see! For those unfamiliar with similar stories, seeing this one will certainly spark your interest. The setting, costumes, and acting are all beautifully done, and the endearing story and on-the-side humor coincide perfectly!


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