Ang Lee, who directed, and Emma Thompson, who adapted the
screenplay, have done an excellent job of bringing Jane Austen's
Victorian novel, Senseand Sensibility, to the movie screen. The movie's
collection of actors are a joy to watch as they bring out the emotions of an
otherwise polite and reserved era in time. The production work is top
notch with bright, cascading photography that sets a romantic "I wish I
was there" setting. The purpose of the SenseandSensibility is to bring
out the romance in all of us and show us that Austen's philosophy of love
exists today as much as it did two centuries ago. Sense and
Sensibility could rightly be classified as a love story, but that would just
scratch the surface of what this movie has to offer. It is also a period
piece, giving us a chance to visit English society in the nineteenth
century. Director Ang Lee brought us to this historic time with beautifully
constructed sets and sites that drop us right into the country cottage of
our heroines. This natural scenery, with its wide sweeping camerawork
warps us back to a time without the loud annoyances of TV and
machinery. By this example Lee sets the stage for the story to begin
If there is one thing that keeps this movie constantly going is the
work of the superb actors. The talent of the actors suited the roles they
played, and their mastering of the characters bring personality and feeling
to the screen. The story of the movie bases around two of these such
characters who happen to be undergoing the same feelings of love but in
strikingly different ways. Kate Winslet plays the wild, fatally romantic
Marianne who cannot control her feelings. Opposite her is the
experienced Emma Thompson who plays the reserved, intelligent
Eleanor who is far more sensitive than she ever lets on. These two
sisters embark on a romantic adventure that finds them searching for the
right man. The two actors compliment each other with their opposite
nature which balances the story perfectly. Yet, as wonderful as
these two characters are, Alan Rickman's Brandon is the core of Sense
and Sensibility. His performance is eloquent and beautifully controlled but
you can tell the torment he fights inside. His voice may be confident and
steady, but his eyes alert you to his true emotions. Brandon's heartache
touches you at the core but this heartache makes him more regal
because of his perseverance. Hugh Grant compliments this array of
actors by giving the film some classical slapstick comedy. He fits
perfectly against the reserved Emma Thompson who will occasionally
bring out that wide smile after one of Grant's humorous anecdotes. Grant
brings just enough charisma to his character of Edward to bring a little
excitement to the movie. Although the film did not need use the
blockbuster special effects of more recent movies, they satisfy the needs
of the movieand there are no errors to distract the moviegoer. By doing
this Ang Lee forced the watcher to envelop themselves into the emotions
of the actors and not glitzy special effects. The story sweeps you away,
and the added quality production work was just bonus to an already
outstanding film. All the pieces of the film all seemed to fit in place and
this is thanks to the work of the director. Ang Lee made sure that
everything was perfect, from the historic costumes to the accents of the
actors. This is also a compliment to Emma Thompson who had the
trouble of constructing a screenplay that would honor the book, but would
also move at a fast enough pace to entertain the reader. Sense and
Sensibility shows us exactly what a movie should be. The movie's witty
romanticism helps illustrate the Victorian era whose love is not so
different from our own. This success is due to the actors who brought the
story to a personal level. Without them we would not have felt the
emotions of the characters, which made us long to love as they did.
. two characters are, Alan Rickman's Brandon is the core of Sense
and Sensibility. His performance is eloquent and beautifully controlled but
you can tell. fast enough pace to entertain the reader. Sense and
Sensibility shows us exactly what a movie should be. The movie& apos;s witty
romanticism helps illustrate