It does not seem to flow as smoothly, a few of the lines coming across as stiff, but that could always be blamed on the delivery by the actors. We also get treated to another gorgeous guy in a wet shirt when Edward is out in the rain splitting logs, which Andrew Davies did before with Colin Firth and a pond in Pride and Prejudice.
Something else that really appeals to me about this version is that you get to see Beth, the young girl whom Willoughby had seduced before he met Marianne. I’ve always been curious about her. The girl who was a character in the book, but without ever being present, she was someone who was mentioned in passing, the girl that Marianne could have become. Beth was Jane Austen’s cautionary tale, a warning to the foolish against falling in love with a charming rake. It was nice to watch her step out of the shadows and be given a convincing face and voice.
There are also some very nice visual touches throughout this newest version. Elinor changing the drawing above the fireplace in the cottage from a watercolor of Norland Park to a smaller one of Barton Cottage is the perfect vision of happiness finally taking hold, of home being realized. The settings are lovely and play a huge part in the story. The score is wonderful, the music becoming perfect punctuation for many of the scenes.
While not my favorite version of Sense and Sensibility, this newest BBC production is worth watching and enjoying again and again. It certainly has inspired me to pick up the book once more.
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