After the death of their father, Elinor (Edgar-Jones), Marianne (Creed-Miles), Margaret (Breathnach) and Mrs. Dashwood (Balfe) are in a difficult financial situation. Their beloved home passes to their half-brother John (Tom Brooke) and his snobbish wife Fanny (Stacy Martin), and they barely have enough money to survive. The only bright spot is the arrival of Fanny's brother Edward (MacKay) who immediately connects with Elinor. Fanny does not approve of the budding relationship and often makes comments against the match.
They are contacted by a distant relative, Mrs. Jennings (Shaw) and her son-in-law Sir John Middleton (Turlough Convery), about a cottage in Devonshire. Desperate to have a home of their own, they accept the offer and move. Elinor is devastated, but hides her feelings. Meanwhile, Marianne dreams of her own epic romance after she is rescued by the dashing John Willoughby (Dilane). She is also pursued by Colonel Brandon (Nordrum), a friend of Sir John. As they adjust to life in Devonshire, can Elinor and Marianne find true love and suitable marriages?
Based on the 1811 Jane Austen novel "Sense and Sensibility".
The Good:
The cinematography by Arnaud Potier is beautiful, often lingering on the beauty of nature.
Fiona Shaw is fantastic as Mrs. Jennings. She has strong comedic timing, gets some great lines, and brings out the best in the character. Daisy Edgar-Jones is a good Elinor: you want to see the character succeed. George MacKay is good as Edward and you like him right away. Edgar-Jones and MacKay have great chemistry.
The Bad:
The dancing - no, no, no. Not period appropriate and just didn't work for me. I don't have a problem with Esme Creed-Miles as Marianne, but I hate her hair / appearance for most of the film. As a whole, the casting was fine, but I did not like Eliot Sumner as Mr. Palmer (especially in comparison to Hugh Laurie in the 1995 version) - the character is supposed to be funny, but was just boring here. I did not appreciate the changes to the characters - especially Elinor (in her confrontation with Willoughby) which did not fit with her character or the book.
Other Comments:
-This is the 2nd film adaptation of the novel, following the 1995 Ang Lee movie, Sense & Sensibility. I love that version of the film - great cast, strong adaptation, and really well done.
-The colors (and costumes) are muted - it's not dark, it's just not bright and colorful
-I love the novel (which I am currently re-reading). The film is fine - it is enjoyable and has good moments. I would watch it again, but the 1995 version is better.
Sense and Sensibility (2026) 132 minutes
Director: Georgia Oakley
Starring: Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elinor Dashwood
Esmé Creed-Miles as Marianne Dashwood
CaitrÃona Balfe as Mrs. Dashwood
Bodhi Rae Breathnach as Margaret Dashwood
Frank Dillane as John Willoughby
Herbert Nordrum as Colonel Brandon
George MacKay as Edward Ferrars
Fiona Shaw as Mrs. Jennings