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Product Description: Two sisters, one practical and conventional and the other emotional and sentimental, find that only through compromise of their mutual differences can they get along and find the husbands they wish.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: PG
Release Date: 1-NOV-2005
Media Type: DVDAmazon.com essential video: Emma Thompson scores a double bull's-eye with this marvelous adaptation of Jane Austen's novel. Not only does Thompson turn in a strong (and gently humorous) performance as one of the Dashwood sisters--the one with "sense"--she also wrote the witty, wise screenplay. Austen's tale of 19th-century manners and morals provides a large cast with a feast of possibilities, notably Kate Winslet, in her pre-Titanic flowering, as Thompson's deeply romantic sister. Winslet attracts the wooing of shy Alan Rickman (a nice change of pace from his bad-guy roles) and dashing Greg Wise, while Thompson must endure an incredibly roundabout courtship with Hugh Grant, here in fine and funny form. All of this is doled out with the usual eye-filling English countryside and handsome costumes, yet the film always seems to be about the careful interior lives of its characters. The director, an inspired choice, is Taiwan-born Ang Lee, who brings the same exquisite taste and discreet touch he displayed in his previous Asian films (such as Eat Drink Man Woman). Thompson's script won an Oscar, and 1995 was a fine year for Jane Austen all around: Persuasion was made into an excellent picture, and Emma became the spritzy high school comedy Clueless. --Robert Horton
Customer Reviews:
- good experience: All went well. The DVD arrived in a timely manner, and in perfect condition.
- The best of its genre: That such a classic should be not only brought to the screen, but in such as way as to be better than the book is just remarkable. Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman are pure magic, and Hugh Grant is excellent also. The countryside will make you think you're back in early 1800 England. Truly remarkable.
- Great performance by Kate Winslet: Good movie, but I recommend you read Jane Austen's book Sense and Sensibility first. The movie is not exactly like the book , but still enjoyable. I enjoyed Kate Winslet's performance. I thought Emma Thompson was too old to play this role..she's supposed to be 19 yrs old in the book, she looks like she can be Kate Winslet's mother. Hugh Grant does a great job playing Edward Ferrars. Overall a very good movie.
- Good paced Jane Austen: This is a particularly good paced film with very good acting. I enjoy the time period but at times these Jane Austen films are a bit slow. Really enjoyed it.
- Pleasant rendition of this classic, but not great...: I found this version of Sense & Sensibility to be OK. However, I think I prefer the Masterpiece Theater one better. Though this had all the elements needed for the production, it just seemed a little watered down in comparison, like they were watching the budget and had to cut a few corners along the way. Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet & Alan Rickman are all recognizable Hollywood names, but they seemed a bit wooden for my taste, especially Hugh Grant. He acted like he was fairly bored with the whole thing.... I am glad to have it for comparison, but I will probably not watch it often. (I had not seen the other version until after I purchased this one). If you like to buy films for the stars in them, then this is good choice for you. The story is still there, but the Masterpiece Theater version is a bit meatier!
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