I have to admit it has been a few years since I last read Jane Austen’s classic Sense and Sensibility. It’s a favorite of mine; maybe one of my favorite Austen’s - the story of two sisters seems to grow with the reader. The first time I read Sense and Sensibility, I was a teenager, and it was Marianne that I identified with, and then years later it was Elinor. Once older, and a bit wiser, I found it hard to believe I could ever have been as young and in love as Marianne.
You can’t mention Sense and Sensibility without bringing up Ang Lee’s 1995 version, starring Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson, and nominated for seven Oscars, winning for the screenplay. It’s a fantastic movie and a wonderful adaptation of the novel. It’s hard not to draw some kind of comparison between this newest version and the older ones, though I have never seen the 1981 version done by the BBC as well.
What does this latest version — a two-part mini-series adapted by Andrew Davies and presented by PBS as part of Celebrating the Complete Jane Austen collection — have that the others lack? As LA-Story said, it’s “sexed up, not dumbed down.” Also, with a full three hours, you have the opportunity to really become involved with the characters and see more of the book brought to life.
When Mr. Henry Dashwood passes away, he leaves his wife (Janet McTeer) and three daughters dependent on John (Mark Gatiss), his selfish son from a previous marriage who is ruled by his wife, Fanny (Claire Skinner). Elinor (Charity Wakefield) is the oldest and most sensible of the small household, and becomes their anchor.
Then we have Marianne (Charity Wakefield), who is hopelessly romantic and very ready to be fallen in love with. Margaret (Lucy Boynton) is the youngest of the Dashwood girls, and wishing she were older and able to take part in the experiences of her sisters.
Norland Park, the Dashwood family home, passes to John and Fanny, who are especially eager to move in and move Mrs. Dashwood and her girls out. With John and Fanny also comes Fanny’s brother, Edward Ferrars (Dan Stevens), who seems to channel Hugh Grant in the same role, and who quickly becomes friends with all the Dashwood girls, particularly Elinor.
Article comments
1 - Stevie
thanks for the mention. I wasn't the only one who commented about Sense & Sensibility in that manner. It seemed to be a much more accurate portrayal of the film/video presentation. Given the previous series-- and what was done with Pride & Prejudice, this series had to surpass that 2 part presentation in fine acting, great direction and excellent scripting.
Stevie Wilson