Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility
Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Esme Creed-Miles, George MacKay, Frank Dillane
Directed by Georgia Oakley

Back in 1795, when she was nineteen years old, Jane Austin wrote Sense and Sensibility and now, over two hundred years later, it's been adapted into a major motion picture - the sixth time this novel has been made into a movie or television series. What is it about this classic novel that makes people want to see each new iteration? What is it that still delights and enthralls readers and moviegoers today? To be honest I can see what it is, but it's also not something particularly in my bailiwick. 

After the death of their father, the Dashwood sisters Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones), Marianne (Esme Creed-Miles) and Margaret (Bodhi Rae Breathnach), along with their mother (Caitriona Balfe) are left penniless and at the hands of their brother, whom receives the estate due to custom. He and his overbearing wife take control of the home, leaving one hope for the girls - to marry well.

Elinor falls for Edward Ferrars (George MacKay), the brother of her sister-in-law, and Marianne is wooed by the powerful yet dull Colonel Brandon (Herbert Nordrum), but falls for charismatic John Willoughby (Frank Dillane) after he saves her after she sprains her ankle at the beach. As the girls head off to London their love lives fall into turmoil as Eilnor, the more sensible of the sisters, remains headstrong and determined while Marianne, the more impulsive of the two, finds herself torn between two very different men who vie for her affection.

As I said earlier, this isn't necessarily in my wheelhouse, as I've never really felt love as something to be sought after to the point of obsession - although I'm also not a woman born in the 1700s, where they had no agency of their own and their wealth came solely from whom they married. In that case I might be less jaded. As it is, movies like these are some of my least favorite because the story always has a happy ending with everyone getting their Prince Charming, and at over two hours long, this slogs around a bit before hitting some decent beats, but again it's drawn on way too long.

So what is it about Sense and Sensibility that has withstood the centuries? It's the promise that love can be found - sometimes in the most obvious places, sometimes not so - and it's always important to look at the brighter side of life...or something like that. While the movie was technically well done and they strayed decently from the source material, it in the end is just an alright venture that was done very well.

While the novel focused on Eros love (the Greek for romantic), the movie focuses more on Storge love (the Greek for familial). The dynamic between the sisters - especially elder sisters Elinor and Marianne - takes center stage as opposed to their quest to find love. It's a refreshing take where sisters come together (even as they sometimes bicker and argue) and find love within themselves as opposed to outside male influences, which undoubtedly comes from the mind of director Georgia Oakley, the first time this novel was directed by a woman.

Daisy Edgar-Jones plays Elinor, known as the "sense" in the title. She's calm, level-headed and determined, keeping her emotions close to the vest and focusing more on the practical. Her attachment to Edward Ferrars isn't surprising considering he's a lot like her, but as secrets come to light it threatens everything she's held onto so tightly. Edgar-Jones gives a terrific performance and comes off as believable and relatable. 

On the other end is the "sensibility" of Esme Creed-Miles' Marianne. She's passionate, romantic, and impulsive, and provides more of the comedic beats of the film. She is also courted by two different men - the stunning yet boring Colonel Brandon and the wild, impulsive John Willoughby. Yet, much like Elinor, she finds her love life in shambles due to secrets and mistrust, but Creed-Miles maintains a dedicated performance throughout.

While I might not like the fact that the movie is two hours and fifteen minutes long, the visual wonder of the movie kept my attention, and although I find love stories insufferable, I did admire the work that went on behind the scenes to craft period-perfect settings and costume designs, and a great ensemble cast.

The Score: A-