Sense and Sensibility

Rating:
Summary: sense and sensibility
Review: I couldn't wait to get the dvd in the mail. I truly enjoyed watching this masterpiece; I actually saw it a few times!! Worth watching if you are into Victorian era movies!!

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Film in All Regards
Review: OK, I confess...I love costume dramas! And boy is this a great one!

According to the great commentary that comes along with the DVD (really illuminating; they run the entire film with behind-the-scences comments as the film runs...very enjoyable), the movie only used two lines from the Austen novel. Hmmm, how true to the book can this movie be?

I don't know, and I don't care. This movie stands well on it's own two (or more) reels. I can't help but think that, based upon the other Austen adaptations I've seen, this is very much in the same vein.

This DVD is a bargain, as I've watched it three times now, and found it enjoyable and entertaining every time. The acting is first-rate, especially Thompson's.

Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Looking for love in jolly olde England
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Sense and Sensibility
Review: To have Hugh Grant play the part of Edward was at first, seemingly awkward, but I grew to love all the character much more than in the book. All thought some of you may be irked that Alan Rickman (yes, Severus Snape) plays Colonel Brandon, he doesn't do too bad of a job.
Sense and Sensibility is, like Pride and Prejudice, a story taking place in the Victorian era, telling you of the caste system that often created catastrophic incidents. Such is the story of our own Sense and Sensibility. One one hand you have the Dashwood family, dignified and proud, but undeniably poor. There is no longer a Mr Dashwood as he has passed away. Therefore, the Dashwood's having no money (though it was supposed to be supplied by cousin John), move into a cottage. There Jane, the eldest meets Edward, a polite and handsome, yet uninteresting man who immediately falls for Jane. Jane also falls for him (her being the unadventerous type) and they are infatuated with each other. Problem: Edward is heir of a vast estate, and later, it's revealed he's already engaged to a snotty upstart. He is one who does not break promises, and cannot be cajoled into breaking it off.
Marianne, the middle sister is in love with Willoughby, a charming man who's not afraid of adventure. They fall in love, but unfortunately, it's revealed that Willoughby is involved in a scandal, and he marries someone for 50,000 pounds. Marianne is crestfallen, and falls into a state of moping loneliness. But here steps Colonel Brandon. He reads to her excitingly, and they fall in love.
The movie paced quickly and doesn't fail to be "Victorian." I recommend it for any fan/nonfan.

Rating:
Summary: Worth owning just for the audio commentary!
Review: My wife and I love this movie. I won't go into details about the movie itself; many others here have already done that quite adequately. Let me tell you what I like about this particular DVD release.

I bought this when I realized it has been re-released with extras. (I believe the first outing was pretty much bare bones.)

The audio commentary with Emma Thompson is more than worth the price of the movie. Absolutely hilarious. As is the clip of her speech at the Golden Globes - written as if penned by Jane Austen herself.

We still haven't digested Ang Lee's commentary; but the disc is well worth the price so far.

Buy it and enjoy! Thanks for reading.

Rating:
Summary: A Splendid Adaptation of a Classic Novel!
Review: With an engaging plot, witty dialogue, and consummate acting by an all-star British cast (there really isn't one performance that could even be described as mediocre here!), this is one of the most delightful films I've seen. Emma Thompson received a well-deserved Oscar for this splendid screen adaption of Jane Austen's classic novel. Indeed, it is rare that I enjoy a dramatisation more than the novel, but I must confess that I did so here.

This is a story about love and propriety in early 19th-century England, and it follows a chapter in the lives of the two eldest Dashwood sisters, Elinor (Emma Thompson) and Marianne (Kate Winslet). Their lives (together with those of their mother (Gemma Jones) and youngest sister) have been thrown into disarray by the death of their father (Tom Wilkinson), whose estate has been left to his son by a previous marriage (James Fleet--The Vicar of Dibley's Hugo). At a time when money not only was equated with privilege and power but was essential for one's very survival, Elinor and Marianne, having neither an independent income nor dowries, are in the unenviable position (unlike Austen's Emma) of having to make a good marriage whilst having little but their appearance and personalities to recommend them.

Marianne, however, (the younger of the two) is an impetuous, idealistic romantic, for whom love must be some great all-consuming passion or it simply isn't love. She wears her heart on her sleeve, and when "love" strikes in the dashing form of the dynamic Mr. Willoughby (Greg Wise) whom she takes to be a kindred spirit, she succumbs to her emotions. Her overwhelming passion leads her to lose all common sense and act with reckless impropriety.

Marianne's love is of the kind idealised by the Romantic poets and authors of the time (of which Austen was NOT one!)--the kind of love which cares not a toss for propriety, reputation or other societally imposed values. It is also, alas, oblivious to boring monetary concerns such as wealth or poverty--concerns which in the cold light of day (and as the story bears out) few could disregard for all their talk to the contrary, and which were ultimately the deciding factor in many a marriage.

Realistic rather than romantic, Elinor is of a calmer, more reserved nature, and not the sort to indulge in her emotions. Indeed, if any fault can be found with her behaviour, it is that she is, perhaps, a little too reserved as even the object of her affections is unaware of her true feelings! That said, she behaves sensibly, with dignity, and with concern for others, regardless of what she may be feeling inside (and this is also true of the gentlemen in the story--the real gentlemen, that is--played by Alan Rickman and Hugh Grant).

Though set some 200 years ago, this is truly a film of timeless value. If you've enjoyed the Firth/Ehle version of Pride and Prejudice in particular or you enjoy period productions in general, you'll definitely want to check this one out. But it's such a good film all around--clean, warm-hearted and with plenty of comic relief--that I believe it's appeal is broad enough to be enjoyed by anyone looking for quality entertainment that the whole family can enjoy. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it most highly, and I look forward to reading the companion book: The Sense and Sensibility Screenplay and Diaries by Emma Thompson.

Rating:
Summary: truly an awful movie
Review: Appalling!!!! ...Anyone who loves Jane Austen as much as I do should not watch this film. Sadly this isn't the only screen adaptation of an Austen novel that has gone sour. I have yet to find a good one. The acting is dreadful, and there is so little meaningful dialog, come on people! Austen's novels are almost all dialog...

Rating:
Summary: Typical of Jane Austen's Themes
Review: Much have been said about the worth of this movie and I agree with almost all of them. I only have this to add: Hugh Grant did surprise me, it never occurred to me that he could be such a good actor. Emma Thompson is pleasant, mature and adorable as always. But having seen too many of her movies, it is not easy to focus on her part here alone. Allan and especially Kate was such a hugh success.

Possibly one of the best Sense and sensibility we have, not only for this generation and for many generations to come.

Rating:
Summary: I've watched it about 30 times
Review: I love this film. I saw it in the theater, and bought the video soon after. I've watched it again and again because it is simply...lovely. I love reading Jane Austen, and this film, although it alters the book, captures a certain loveliness found in Austen's writing. Sure, it's made more palatable for the 20th century view, but it possesses the comfort, charm, and loveliness that readers will probably still enjoy. It lacks the cleverness of Austen's wit because it is probably impossible to show that in film. Her writing is unique, but the flavor of the film is very true to her oeuvre. Thompson does a great job of capturing the humor of Austen, and the humor of the flawed but likable..and unlikable characters.

In this particular version, Brandon is significantly enhanced as a rounder character, and Edward Ferrars is perhaps also more rounded. The younger sister, Margaret has a much greater role than in the novel as well. I read one article that pointed out the more feminist aspects of the film over the book, and I agree with it. The film covers over some of the more difficult inequities between men and women in the regency period, for the sake of making a more acceptable story for contemporary viewers. This, along with an important scene left out, make the film a bit more sweet and lighthearted than the original book. The deleted scene involves a return by Willoughby...hopefully this will entice you to find out more by reading the book!

Film adaptations are fun, usually, but they are not an adequate substitute for reading the original text. You won't understand the richness of language, period, or ideas nearly as well unless you read the original book. That's my English teacher speech.

Nevertheless, this film stands completely on its own, and is extremely enjoyable as a film. It's moving, visually beautiful, funny, and informative in some sense. I am particularly fond of the performances by Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, and Greg Wise. There are no bad performances, but I have especially appreciated these. Above all, I think Rickman's performance is quite moving as the quiet, deep, honorable and sad gentleman.

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Summary: Definitely a family favorite!
Review: Except for the fact that I can't stand the way the Victorians beat around the bush about everything and rarely speak their mind in a plain and straightforward manner, our whole family just loves this movie. Wonderful actors and actresses portraying interesting characters and a wonderful story where, for the most part, everyone has a happy ending (except the guy that felt that money was more important than true love - and he realized his mistake, in the end).