Sense and Sensibility

Back when I knew nothing about film, I saw this film for the first time. I sure did like it, and when Emma Thompson won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay, I smiled and nodded like everyone else. What a joy to watch this again and recognize her genius. Actually, to recognize the entire production's genius. Ang Lee as the director of an 1800s British drama caused more than a few eyebrows to raise, but the man absolutely knows what he is up to. The two scenes I remember the best... One is a shot of Elinor (Thompson) and her mother (Gemma Jones) discussing if Edward (Hugh Grant) loves Elinor or not. She dissembles and Lee pulls the camera back and back, echoing the loneliness she can't put into words. The other is when Marianne (Kate Winslet) receives the Dear John letter from Willoughby (Greg Wise; yeah, I didn't know his work either) and Lee places the camera at her feet shooting upwards, as she reads the letter to Elinor. That shot is traditionally used for suspense, and with that placement the scene becomes doubly so. The acting is uniformly excellent (except perhaps for overly Grant-like acting towards the end, but that's a minor complaint), with Thompson and Winslet simply shining in their sisterly roles. But I gave short shrift to Thompson in the beginning of the review. I read the book after I saw the film the first time and felt like it was rather plodding for Jane Austen, not the page turner that Pride and Prejudice is. Thompson has taken the novel and added comic elements, heart- rending scenes and moments of surprise that enhance the novel, as unbelievable as that may seem. This film is the perfect example of what an excellent script, excellent direction and excellent acting can create. And of how all three of those elements (and probably more that I am unable to recognize) are necessary for the perfect film.

year: 1995
length: 136 min.
rating: 4.0
IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114388/combined