Sense and Sensibility Movie Review, from Kai

Here we've got a review of the Emma Thompson version of Sense and Sensibility, from Kai.  Take it away, Kai!

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

My Second introduction to Jane Austen after the Pride and Prejudice PBS series was The 1995 Film Sense and Sensibility. My enjoyment of this film cemented my desire to read all of Austen’s novels.

Here like Elizabeth and Jane, we have two sisters whose fortunes and marriage prospects are affected by rules of inheritance.  There Father’s estate on his passing goes entirely to their brother. Despite a death bed promise, there brother tenders very little help to ease their financial straights.

Elinor and Margaret are fascinating characters. In Elinor we have a woman

as Jane so aptly describes” possessed a strength of understanding and a coolness of judgment. She had an excellent heart, her disposition was affectionate, and her feelings were strong; but she knew how to govern them.” I was drawn to Elinor in the Novel and movie because I felt a kinship with her. The circumstances of her family cause her to step up and be the practical one. Marianne in retrospect lived her life with a freedom that Elinor doesn’t have the luxury to explore, Jane describes her as possessing: abilities equal to Elinor’s. She was sensible and clever; but eager in everything; her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation.

Ironically the two of them together have the perfect balance of heart and expression, on there owns their reactions play a part in their romantic experiences.

Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet are perfection in these roles. Having written the screen play herself Thompson has a deep understanding of the depths of Elinor’s heart she plays the role with a tight control barely giving hint to the simmering emotions her heart harbors. Hugh Grant as Edward Farris is fated match for her.

They both share a deepness of affection but share a

Shyness and lack of passionate expression that leads to a separation. Winslet is also a perfect Marianne! She is passionate, filled with strong opinions on what love should feel, how a lover should respond. Willoughby is the physical incarnation of all Marianne’s romantic fantasies.

The steady, stable admiration of Alan Rickman’s Captain Brandon is the perfect opposite of all of Marianne’s youthful fantasies and she responds to him accordingly. Like all of Austen’s Novels the stories of the Sisters unfolds in a series of dark secrets revealed, difficult choices with devastating results and a satisfying conclusion. I was equally drawn to both sisters’ stories in the Movie and not having read the novel yet my heart ached for both sisters, but in the Novel it is Marianne who most affected me, I love Austen’s final summation of her: “Marianne Dashwood was born to an extraordinary fate: She was born to discover the falsehood of her own opinions, and to counteract, by her conduct, her most favorite maxims.” Her journey in this Novel is a revelation and a Joy.

Very true!  Thanks, Kai!