More than three decades after Ang Lee’s film adaptation won Emma Thompson her Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, “Sense and Sensibility” is getting a Hollywood re-do with Georgia Oakley at the helm.
It’s a rich, sometimes dense take on Jane Austen’s seminal romance, and just as cosy as the versions that came before it. Perhaps the swooning appeal of the Dashwood sisters, and how they come to terms with their sisterhood, is timeless. Everyone wants a family that celebrates each other and stands in the way of life’s obstacles.
Oakley’s “Sense and Sensibility” feels more empowered and apt for contemporary sensibilities. Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Marianne (Esmé Creed-Miles) Dashwood, who represent the two themes of the title (sense and sensibility, respectively), yearn, but they aren’t afraid to make mistakes and false assumptions when it comes to love. The lead sisters in this version are tougher and more emotionally grounded, especially with a strong female support system around them.
“Sense and Sensibility” is shot on 35mm film, and the texture of the images contributes to a breezy mood. The cinematography is gorgeous, and it’s interesting to see how this adaptation fares on the heels of other Regencyera novels turned screen adaptations, like “Persuasion”, “Emma” and, very soon, Netflix’s “Pride and Prejudice” series.
The cast’s performances are great, with Daisy Edgar-Jones an effective anchor to her ensemble.
“Sense and Sensibility” is a decent adaptation, though while watching, I kept hoping it would be braver and more sophisticated in its take. Would a modern-day retelling be just as good? There’s not much difference between this and Ang Lee’s 1995 film.
“Sense and Sensibility” is now showing in cinemas.
Featured images from Universal Pictures.
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