|
Starring
Hattie Morahan
Charity Wakefield
David Morrissey
Dominic Cooper
Dan Stevens
Mark Williams
Janet McTeer
Directed by
John Alexander
MPAA Rating: NR
Kids-in-Mind Rating:
N/A
a review by Heith Carnahan
The Basics
Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield are Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, two extraordinary sisters living in a society consumed not with sense and sensibility, but with status, wealth, and rank. Pragmatic Elinor, who adheres to social convention, couldn't be more different from Marianne, who can barely abide all the vanity and pomposity that surrounds her.
When their father passes away, the girls and their mother are forced from their home at Norland Park and settle at Barton Cottage in Devonshire. There, the adventures begin: Elinor falls for the dashing Edward Farrars, who by all appearances returns her affections; Marianne, meanwhile, is nudged toward the slightly older Colonel Brandon but quickly falls flat for the handsome Mr. Willoughby, who may be less than he seems. As certain truths come to light and the gossip runs rampant within the various social circles, the Dashwood sisters must look out for each other while keeping their own dreams of marital happiness from being dashed by those with intentions that are less than honorable.
What Strange Creatures Men Are . . .
And what an absolutely phenomenal adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel we have here. BBC Video and 2|Entertain have outdone themselves in grand fashion with a three-part mini-series that is not to be missed by anyone even remotely interested in Austen's enduring genius.
Relative newcomers Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield are positively engrossing as Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Morahan in particular delights with a nuanced performance punctuated by a palpable humanity often present in Austen's works, but not often seen with such richness on-screen. I simply cannot say enough about her performance in the film; she owns the part of Elinor with such entirety and sense of purpose that one wonders who really invented the character to begin with. I will be watching her future endeavors with great anticipation.
Indeed, the film as a whole is a case study in passion and unparalleled authenticity on every level. Absolutely nothing is wasted in Andrew Davies' miracle adaptation: Marianne's romanticism, Elinor's pragmatism, Brandon's perceived emotional distance, Willoughby's reptilian deception, even the landscapes of England are on full display here, filling the audience with an inexplicable longing for the Old Country. From all this grandeur and accomplishment emerge two minor complaints on my part: one, the enthralling soundtrack score is not available on CD (that I can locate); and two, the mere fact that the film is broken into a three-part mini-series instead of one continuous film (never mind the 'play all' function in the main menu). I found myself squirming during the mere moments it took for the next chapter to begin; such was my unmitigated enjoyment of this film.
See it -- as soon as you can manage. It is a rare, rare occasion that anything receives an A+ on Movie-Popcorn; Sense & Sensibility only receives that honor because there is none higher.
Related Links
Check out the official site at www.bbcamericashop.com.
You can buy the DVD in widescreen format directly from Warner Home Video.
Click here for a clip of the film.
What the DVD Offers
There is a mostly pleasant 30-minute interview with producer Anne Pivcevic and writer Andrew Davies to start things off, as well as a feature-length commentary with Pivcevic, Davies, and actors Hattie Morahan and Dan Stevens. The disc also contains a robust photo gallery showcasing the exquisite costuming and breathtaking scenery of the on-set locations.
The Deluxe Edition Gift Set includes a second disc entitled "Miss Austen Regrets," a new biopic based on the letters of Jane Austen.
Film Grade: A+
DVD Grade: B