Sense and Sensibility

GoMovieReview Rating: ★★★

Rated: PG

Directed by: Georgia Oakley

Screenplay Written by: Diana Reid

Based on the book by: Jane Austen

Produced by: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner

Starring: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Esmé Creed-Miles, Caitríona Balfe, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Frank Dillane, Herbert Nordrum, George MacKay, Stacy Martin, Tom Brooke.

‘People are like places Margaret, they’re never like we expect.’

A beautiful face, watching a caterpillar. She plays with grass. A bird flies over head, deer in the distance. It’s quiet – then horses in the distance. ‘Wait’ she yells. See runs with a letter. It’s father’s will. Their lives about to change, forever.

Based on Jane Austin’s book, Sense And Sensibility follows the three daughters of Mrs. Dashwood (Caitríona Balfe): Marianne (Esmé Creed-Miles), Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Margaret (Bodhi Rae Breathnach).

With the male line inheriting the house, the girls are left homeless, ‘Being polite is not begging,‘ says Elinor.

Because their half-brother John (Tom Brooke) has arrived with his unsympathetic wife, Fanny (Stacy Martin) to take ownership of their childhood home.

And later arriving, Fanny’s dashing cousin, Edward (George Mackay).

‘Whatever it is we’ll face it with calm heads,’ says Elinor.  But it’s hard to keep calm because she’s falling for Edward, and he’s falling for her.

It’s all dastardly men and women trying to find the right match. Where decisions are made based on money and security and rarely love. Except those who live out loud and want it all; the: passion, the dancing, love of music; to be saved and swept off her feet, literally.  Marianne is beautiful.  Colonel Brandon (Herbert Nordrum) is enchanted by her.  But of course it’s the bad boy she wants: Willoughby (Frank Dillane).  It could be cheesy. But cousin who-comes-to-the-rescue Mrs. Jennings (Fiona Shaw) keeps the narrative light with an obnoxious laugh and endless love of anyone. Including the ever-present pug. ‘There might be highway men ahead or worse: potholes.’

Austen is known as a ‘a brilliant social satirist and the mother of the romantic comedy.’  And her wry humour shines through in this film.

It’s light and beautiful with the ladies dressed in finery as they dance with arms entwined with the men they attempt to woo.  Or must silently admire became they’ve been promised to someone else.

I loved that they wait for Marianne because ‘she’s paying respects to the trees. And I felt the disappointment and roller coaster of the ones wanting to find their other half.

But it’s sweet film that will not stay with me; sweet and forgettable like the subtle scent of a forget me not: pleasant and enjoyable while it lasts.