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Summary: Good Movie for Girls Night
Review: My college roommate and I watched this movie one night when we were in the mood for a classic. It was immediately one of our favorite movies!
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Summary: Wonderful
Review: I absolutely love this movie! I've read the book and at first was hesitant to watch the movie as i didn't think that a movie could do justice to it... but I was wrong. The characters are portrayed perfectly, and the movie is fun to watch even for those who are not familiar with Jane Austen's works. Definitely highly recommended, particularly for a girls movie night...
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Summary: Hidden Talent
Review: Britain is possibly unique in that our world-renowned dramatic talent is, on occasion, actually less gifted than our apparent "second string" company. A fact which this production illustrates to perfection.The script for "Sense and Sensibility" is the work of Emma Thompson (who also plays Elinor Dashwood), better known world-wide as Mrs Kenneth Brannagh, yet proving here that her own talents are easily the equal of her husband's. Likewise seemingly supporting, but actually key roles, are filled by by Elisabeth Spriggs (Mrs Jennings) and Robert Hardy (Sir John Middleton), two players who, though not well-known to the world at large, have been the making of more productions than I've had hot dinners. Taken at face value, the work of Jane Austen is little more than a historical version of Danielle Steele. When it is the focus of a galaxy of such genuine talent as is collected here, however, it becomes far, far more - a genuine work of genius that transcends time and becomes not simply a piece of quaint English history but a tale that has something worthwhile - and entertaining - to say at any point in time. You *may* find productions that equal this version of "Sense and Sensibility" in its chosen field, but you'll find VERY FEW that do any better. HIGHLY recommended.
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Summary: Excellent!
Review: Hugh Grant in tights and Alan Rickman in a wet shirt? A+
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Summary: Fun romantic flick
Review: I've never read the book, but if it's anything like this film, it must be just wonderful. I tend to credit Emma Thompson and Ang Lee, the screenwriter and director, respectively, for making a "classic" book into a period piece with a modern feel. Thompson gives another restrained performance on the same level as her work in The Remains of the Day and Howard's End. (Is she being typecast, or is she just the only one who can do these roles?) But right on her tail are Kate Winslet, just coming into her own at this stage but giving her character the full treatment (somehow she does despair just perfectly), and Alan Rickman, giving an unusually restrained performance as the Colonel who loves Kate's character while she instead loves Greg Wise's. Emma, instead gets to have lovely confusion with Hugh Grant. The mistakes feel contrived but they give terrific opportunity for Emma to act all upset while not showing it. Of, course there is a happy ending, after all we've been put through, there'd better be, but in general, it's a fun movie, and I was fully caught up in it.
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Summary: Simply Superb
Review: This film is lovely in clothes, scenes, and characters. Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman are just absolutely wonderful in their so carefully understated roles. I liked their characters so much that I wished they were getting married instead of...opps, don't want to spoil it for anyone. This film ranks in my top 10 favorites. Just a joy & and gem!
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Summary: Very Well Done Adaptation!
Review: Although some people criticize this for being too polished, it is still a brilliant movie. All the actors do an excellent job. Thompson takes some liberties with her version (Margaret is way more developed than in the Austen original) but she does a good job with it. Winslet is very pretty in her role and Thompson is a great Elinor-governs her feelings but feels things very intensely. Rickman is -as always-very proper and fits the role perfectly for the MOVIE. Keep in mind that Thompson does a lot to flesh out the male characters (to make them more appealing) than Austen did originally. But in my opinion, she does it so well that all but the most unforgiving Austen enthusiasts will love it.
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Summary: If YOU have any SENSE...
Review: you will buy this movie right this instant! Wow! What a great movie! Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant (gotta love Hugh), Alan Rickman (gotta love Alan too)... they all contribute magnificently to this perfect telling of an intriguing and thoroughly heart-warming tale. Did I mention really funny too? Well it is... it is even laugh-out-loud funny at times. Emma Thompson, and Kate Winslet play the Dashwood sisters-- the oldest (or should I say eldest?), Elinor (Emma Thompson), reserved, sensible, practical; the younger, Marianne (Kate Winslet), impetuous, spontaneous, passionate-- who along with their mother, and younger sister Margaret, are thrust into a less than favorable situation when their father dies. As a result of his death they are left to the mercy of their spineless half-brother, and his hateful, high-minded, selfish wife, who inherit their father's estate. Not for long though, as an offer is made to them which will allow them to part ways with their tormentors- the two thorns in their flesh. But not before Elinor takes interest in a certain visitor, Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant), finding love in the most unexpected place, only to have it seemingly snatched from her grasp (things get quite complicated)! Marianne too, soon *stumbles* into love... the kind she has always dreamed of... but her relationship seems ill-fated as well. Will the two ever find love? It's very interesting to see how both react to their feelings, and in the end, to see which pays off: being sensible, or being impetuous, or, being both in balance. Oh, but the story is far deeper than that. There is much in this movie to dazzle and delight even the most critical of tastes. It is certainly one that you will never grow tired of watching... simply a wonderful, wonderful film. Emma, Kate, Hugh, Alan, Ang Lee (the director), everyone in this movie, and behind the scenes, helped to make it a true classic! I guarantee you will not regret buying it! Be sensible, and do so! :-D
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Summary: A gorgeous film
Review: This remains one of the best, most lovingly-made films I've ever seen. Dare I say that it's better than the Jane Austen novel that inspired it? The scenery is glorious, the music is beautifully haunting, the acting superb. The story is beautifully told. Best of all, it features the wisdom found in all of Austen's novels: know your own heart, and follow it. Have both passion and reason, in moderation. Remember that charisma does not always equal substance. Best of all, it proves that good things come to those who deserve them.
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Summary: Broke SWFs seek SWMs of means. All offers considered.
Review: A couple of weeks back, I saw the 1996 A&E production of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Putting my "real man" self image at extreme risk, I admitted publicly that I enjoyed this most excellent film immensely. Pushing reputation even closer to the edge, I viewed the 1995 release of SENSE AND SENSIBILITY last weekend. (I need something to watch while doing the ironing.) The theme of both films seems to be "anxious females seek Princes Charming to rescue them from rural spinsterhood", which, on the knowledgeable authority of a good friend and Jane Austen obsessive, is common to all of the author's works. Feminists may cringe at that generalization, but there wasn't much in the way of bra-burning in the first decade of the 19th century when Austen was busy scribbling. S&S opens at the side of Mr. Dashwood's deathbed, at which point he's leaving his entire estate to his son John (James Fleet) in conjunction with the latter's promise to financially provide for his half-sisters, Elinor (Emma Thompson), Marianne (Kate Winslet) and Margaret (Emilie Francois). Subsequently, though John gives lip service to generous support of his siblings, he's easily dissuaded by his selfish wife, Fanny (Harriet Walter). Soon, the three Dashwood sisters and their mother are tossed out of their Great House to live in a (rather large) cottage on a cousin's estate. With no dowries to back them up, the two eldest, Elinor and Marianne, are left to Fate and their own charms to attract men of means to wed. So, Elinor may or may not be favored by the younger of Fanny's brothers, Edward (Hugh Grant). And Marianne is adored by the socially awkward Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman), but she only has doe eyes for the dashing Willoughby (Greg Wise). It's such a puzzle. My opinion of S&S suffers from having previously seen P&P. It's difficult to be fair since the latter is by far and away the richer and more humorous presentation. Emma Thompson is, however, superb as the sensible sister who, while dealing with her own turmoil of the heart, must support the feelings-driven Marianne as the latter careens from one emotional extreme to the next. Alan Rickman is marvelous as the suitor tortured by the demons of unrequited love. On the other hand, I wasn't quite so impressed with Grant as Edward, who was painfully ill at ease in the presence of adult women. (A deer caught in the high beams comes to mind.) Normally, the unassuming shyness of Grant's roles is appealing, but this time it was a bit over the top. Either that or his Georgian-era shorts were bunched and his collar too tight. And because P&P is over twice as long as S&S, the script of the former could afford to include some minor personalities of cleverly done eccentricity. The costuming and choreography in S&S seemed a realistic depiction of the times, but I'm as poorly equipped to adjudicate now as I was for the same elements of P&P. One thing I can judge, though, is the English countryside that's like no other that I've enjoyed. Towards the end, there was the panoramic view of a wind-rippled, grassy valley sloping down to the sea, probably in Devonshire. I was so "homesick" that I teared just a trifle. Because the pace of the story caused me to doze off for a couple of brief moments, I can't in good conscience award more than four and one-half stars. The review system of this site will round it up.
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