Jane Austen’s classic novel “Sense and Sensibility” is on the silver screen once again.
The beloved story, which follows the Dashwood sisters as they make new life for themselves in the wake of their father’s death, has had numerous television and movie adaptations over the years, including Scents and Sensibility, Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen, and the well-known 1995 version starring and written by Dame Emma Thompson. That film was nominated for Best Picture and won Thompson an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. This new adaptation, directed by Georgia Oakley, is a beautiful, fresh take that honors the novel while adding its own twists.
The film stars Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elinor Dashwood, the eldest and most sensible of the three Dashwood sisters. Marianne, played by Esmé Creed-Miles, is the passionate, heart-on-her-sleeve middle child. Bodhi Rae Breathnach, who plays the young Margaret, and Caitríona Balfe, who plays their caring mother Mrs. Dashwood, both bring spirit and warmth to their supporting roles. The sisters’ elder half-brother, John Dashwood, played by Tom Brooke, had promised their dying father to support them. But his wife Fanny, a snobbish, uncaring ice queen, played by Stacy Martin, has convinced him to save the money for their family instead.
Thankfully, the kindness of a distant cousin named Mrs. Jennings, wonderfully portrayed by Fiona Shaw, procures the Dashwood women a cottage to live in and a new cast of neighbors to meet. Marianne quickly attracts the attention of the 30-something Colonel Brandon, played by Herbert Nordrum, but falls for the dashing John Willoughby, played by Frank Dillane. Elinor waits for news of Fanny’s kind-hearted brother, Edward Ferrars, played by George Mackay, in the hopes that her affection for him is mutual. Marianne and Elinor get an opportunity to see their men when Mrs. Jennings invites them to accompany her from the country to her London home.
The film avoids the idealized version of Regency England in which life consists only of pastel dresses and tea parties. Shots of berry-stained fingers, messy hairdos and other realistic touches give the film a homey character, and often highlight the women’s change in circumstance. John Dashwood’s neglect brings them from a stately manor to a simple home where they must cook, launder and garden to support themselves. The country scenes overflow with nature — walks through forests and on the seashore, talks by a picturesque pond and in a rocky, windswept field. There’s innumerable pets, too — dogs, cats, horses and birds surround the characters. The earthiness adds a bit of realism to a story far removed from modern life.
The film is largely faithful to the novel, and seems to take inspiration from the 1995 film as well. If you haven’t seen or read either, this may spoil the 200 year-old-story. The new film’s plot diversions seem to stem from a desire to give more screen time to the two main couples. Colonel Brandon’s new, larger role is the more effective of the two. He’s more than Marianne’s man-in-waiting in this film, and watching him gradually win her over is a pleasure. In the Edward and Elinor storyline, the film strays from the book in that it creates a slightly different obstacle to keeping them apart. Purists may prefer the original scenarios, but their new scenes together still have charm.
This movie is rated PG for thematic elements, partial nudity (a shot of Marianne’s back while bathing), and brief violence. A transgender actor also portrays a minor character. Though covering adult topics, such as an extramarital affair, the film is appropriate for teens. Which is ideal, as young adults and adults alike can appreciate not only the love story, but the larger story of a family and community who surround the two women as they navigate love and heartbreak to become better versions of themselves.
Maraist is a freelancer from Reston.
