Review of Sense and Sensibility (1995) by Stuart K — 07 Feb 2013

Based upon Jane Austen's 1811 novel, adapted by Emma Thompson, and the English-language debut of Ang Lee, who had become famous with The Wedding Banquet (1993) and Eat Drink Man Woman (1994). This is a lavish and luscious adaptation with a great British cast.

It took 5 years to get made, as no-one believed it was bankable, but it was and it found an audience and even made a star or two along the way. After Mr. Dashwood (Tom Wilkinson) dies, his wife (Gemma Jones) and his three daughters, Elinor (Emma Thompson), Marianne (Kate Winslet) and Margaret (Emilie François) are left an allowance of £500 a year, while his son John (James Fleet), from a previous marriage, is left his large estate.

John's stuffy wife Fanny (Harriet Walter) has her brother Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant) round to stay, and he becomes friendly with Elinor and Marianne, more so with the former, much to Fanny's disgust.

Meanwhile, they're visited by Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman) who falls for Marianne, but Marianne falls for the dashing John Willoughby (Greg Wise), who has a dark secret. It's a very enjoyable film, and Lee has a brilliant visual eye, and Thompson captures the spirit and essence of Austen's novel.

It has a good cast which is a who's who of British film and TV, it would be a brilliant introduction into Hollywood for Lee.