Sense & Sensibility

I have watched this adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility more than a dozen times since it was released, and it never fails to enthrall me. It has everything one would expect of a classic movie - a good plot[ thanks in large part to Emma Thompson's excellent screenplay], stellar casting, gorgeous sets, costumes and lush scenery of the entrancing English countryside. The story of Sense & Sensibility is at heart a warm and insightful portrait of two sisters and their relationship to each other, as well as their romantic interests and a powerful social commentary of society in regency England. Those who are familiar with Jane Austen's works will appreciate how perceptive an observer she was of society at large and remarkable in her capability to capture powerful human emotions on paper. The plot of Sense & Sensibility the movie revolves around the Dashwood sisters, Elinor & Marianne, who upon the death of their beloved father are forced to move [together with their mother and younger sister] to a cottage in the English countryside and live on a paltry 500 pounds a year [due to English law at the time where property passes down through the male line]. Elinor [played excellently by the talented Emma Thompson] is the older, and more wise [sensible] sister, who tries not to let her emotions rule her, in direct contrast to her younger, feisty sister Marianne [a gorgeous English rose, Kate Winslet] who is passionate, outspoken and open in displaying her emotions. Elinor falls for Edward Ferrars [an awkward yet deferential & handsome Hugh Grant] who due to a youthful indiscretion is unable to follow through on his attachment to Elinor. Marianne, on the other hand falls hard for dashing rogue Willoughby [Greg Wise], ignoring propriety and openly displaying her affections. The rest of the story deals with how the Dashwood sisters resolve their plight, and the story is made even more compelling by the other characters, who may be deemed minor roles, certainly add to the depth of the storytelling - Colonel Brandon, a retired officer, who though much older, harbors a deep affection for Marianne [played by pre-Severus Snape Alan Rickman], the callous sis-in-law Fanny Dashwood [Harriet Waller], the scheming Lucy Steele [Imogen Stubbs]and numerous other characters, who though secondary to the plot, are certainly memorable. Taiwanese director Ang Lee [of Eat Drink, Man Woman & Wedding Banquet fame] certainly proves his mettle here and manages to flesh out amazing performances from his cast, and delivers a gem of a movie, and a true classic.

Even though this version does not follow the book precisely, it is my favorite of all of the Jane Austen movies. Alan Rickman's performance is a tour de force. Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet are also amazing, as is Hugh Grant. The soundtrack is so gorgeous. It's such a satisfying ending as well, but all Jane Austen books have happy endings, even though they seem impossible to end happily. The casting is so spot on that I can hardly describe it. I can't think of anyone else playing Colonel Brandon, or Elinor, especially. I have seen other versions, and they pale in comparison. This has been one of my favorite movies since the first time I saw it almost 30 years ago. And, by the way, Emma Thompson wrote the script and won best screenplay for it.

After having had my mind bewitched and my senses ensnared by Alan Rickman after watching him in the Harry Potter movies I started looking up Rickman clips on YouTube and then I decided that I needed my own collection of Alan Rickman movies. Sense and Sensibility is the first AR film I've purchased. It is glorious and beautiful and most likely the most perfect example of a Rickman movie, save for Harry Potter. The whole movie is wonderful and I've watched it several times already. Emma Thompson and Ang Lee did everything so perfectly that I cannot find fault with this movie. It is everything a romantic English drama should be and all of the actors were perfectly cast. Of course my favorite is Alan Rickman, but I loved the chemistry and dynamics between all of the principals. Hugh Grant is really sweet and gorgeous in this movie too and Emma Thompson is beyond reproach. Probably the best scene in this movie is at the end between Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant, but I won't describe it just in case you have not yet seen this movie. It was awesome and it made me cry. Kate Winslet was great too, although her character is kind of a pain in the neck. This film is what a great romantic story is all about, unlike Titanic in which I thought the script and the dialogue were ridiculous and dreadful and there was a total lack of chemistry between Kate Winslet and Leo DiCaprio, which is too bad, because Winslet is a fabulous actor. Now for the question all us romantics have asked ourselves: Why would anyone choose Willoughby over Alan Rickman??? Here's another thought for all the Harry Potter fans. Wouldn't it be great to see a whole movie about Severus Snape in heaven with Lily, played by Kate Winslet?

It was well packaged and sent on time. The movie appears to be new.

I'm a Jane Austen fan, and this is turning into my favourite film of all time. It is beautifully cast, and delivered, bringing the original book to full life, but showing a detailed and sensitive understanding of the original text, so that the result is both true and impacting. I didn't understand why this book was Jane Austen's favourite before owning this film. Now I can see it is about second chances at love, that seemed like second choices to me before - like settling, and compromising, which was sad - but they don't seem so now. Alan Rickman, Kate Winslett, and Emma Thompson play their parts perfectly, and their work is deeply touching in all the right places.

Für Kauf-DVDs gibt es Regionalcodes. Für Europa ist es die 2. Die gesendete DVD hat Code 1,3,4 und kann in Deutschland nicht abgespielt werden. Man müsste ein Rip-Verfahren anwenden, was aber illegal ist.

It's one of my most favourite movies. It was great 15 years ago, and it is same wonderful now.

I wanted to watch it again after Alan Rickman died. I loved it even more on repeat viewing--noticed a few things I'd missed, like Hugh Laurie looking at Emma Thompson as it became clear to him what life would be like with a woman who was the complete opposite of his silly wife. Also noteworthy was Alan Rickman's grin and uniform in the wedding scene: suddenly he showed himself as the military man he was and instantly turned into a romantic hero, conjuring up all the girls who were a pushover for those soldiers in red coats. In other words, I approve of the director's modifications and additions to the original story, including the fleshing out Edward Ferrars' character by his interaction with Eleanor's and Marianne's little sister, who was invisible in the novel. Hugh Grant playing against type was marvelous. But the heart and soul of it were the fine performances by Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet.

Despite the blurb stating that this DVD was compatible for UK and Europe, my DVD player rejected it as incompatible. I love this film. It's a shame I can't watch it!