The Summary:
The Actors:
I really liked the actors in this movie. Emma Thompson may have been a bit old for Elinor (I believe Elinor in the book is around eighteen) but she is wonderful in the role. She has such fabulous facial expressions, such expressive eyes. I always marvel at her sense. She also has a sense of humor, and several witty things are said throughout the movie by our Elinor. Kate Winslet played Marianne exceptionally well. I believe she would've been a tough character to portray; she is so unique, but, in any case, Winslet was very expressive and played the feeling Marianne very well. (Fainting and tears are hard to do.) While reading this over, I think I might give the impression that I do not think very highly of Marianne, which is not the case. She is just young and naive, and I don't look up to her as I do Elinor. (But I do adore her, upon my word, I do.) Greg Wise as Willoughby was done well, as I did not get the impression until later that he was somewhat of a fiend. I never did like it when Willoughby insulted Col. Brandon, though. I am so glad Elinor stuck up for him! Hugh Grant was very good. I thought he was very nice, and as I said, I loved Edward in the movie. Imogen Stubbs did a good job of making me hate Lucy Steele. She was so sly! So deceitful! So... oh, she just rubbed me the wrong way. She was exactly how I pictured her to look in the book, and I was quite pleased. I'm glad she ends up with nice, simple-minded Robert Ferrars, instead of dear Edward. Apparently, the actor who played Robert Ferrars was Emma Thompson's brother-in-law! Anyway, on to
Mr. Palmer was so droll! He and his newspaper. Poor man! What a silly wife he has! His face when he is holding his baby is priceless! "Mr. Palmer is just so good with him!" As if, Mrs. Palmer! Ahh, how funny. Now, I think I have covered many of the important characters. On to the music.
The Music:
As aforementioned, I find the music delightful, if not a tad melancholy. "Play something a bit less sad, dearest." :) I don't think sad was quite the wording, but I'm sure you get the reference. The music sounded classical to me, which fit the period exactly, but my piano teacher might point out some or chords and things that show otherwise, but to the untrained ear (mine) it seemed to suit. Marianne was playing the piano quite often, and beautiful songs were played each time. That's about all I have to say about the music, without repeating how delightful I found it.
The Costumes:
They were all wonderful. I can't seem to find fault with this movie, can I? While they might not have been as accurate as some, (P&P '95) I thought they were very nice and fit with the time period. They dresses are cut rather low, but that was the style. Marianne's hair was a beautiful tumble of curls, and I thought Elinor's wavy bun suited her nicely. Many of the hairstyles seem to reflect the old Roman hairstyles, which I find fascinating. Lucy Steele's is the first to come to mind. I have seen that ribbon headband and bun style in my Latin textbook at school. The men's hairstyles I always enjoy. For some reason, long tussled hair looks good with their outfits. I do not like curly white wigs, though. (eh hem, Sir John Middleton!) Now, as this post is becoming rather long, I will wrap up with the overall theme.
The Theme:
I love Jane Austen's novels (of the three-going-on-four that I have read so far.) Love has always given me this wonderful, happy feeling. What can I say? I am a girly, hopeless romantic. She not only writes about love, but as many have noticed Jane Austen does a wonderful job of studying human characteristics. She makes wonderful, true to life characters (and sometimes caricatures.) She develops setting so very well also. Some say her books don't have a plot, but that, I believe is because of the plots subtlety. She does not bang you over the head with adventures and disasters, that much is true. Sense and Sensibility is one of my favorite novels of hers, (or anyone's) and I think it is safe to say I thoroughly enjoyed this movie adaptation.
I hope to watch this in the next month or so, also for the Period Drama Challenge. It's been years since I watched it, and I'm growing ever fonder of Emma Thompson, so really want to see it again.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought that people who say Jane Austen's books have no plots are very silly -- a plot does not have to involve excitement or mystery! A plot is simply what happens to characters and how they change as a result. Austen clearly has that in spades :-)
Thank you so much for your input! You don't know how excited I was when I saw someone commented. You should definitely watch it again. :) I hope to hear from you again! (P.S. I checked out your blog too, and I love it!)
DeleteWhat a wonderful review, Miss Maddie Rose! : ) I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and I must say I agree with basically everything you said. This is one of my favorite movies ever! I loved Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet as Elinor and Marianne, and Hugh Grant is just unbelieveably adorable as Edward. (But then, Hugh Grant is pretty much unbelievably adorable no matter what character he plays.) : P
ReplyDeleteYeah, Willoughby had me fooled too, especially since I didn't know the story before I watched the movie. Greg Wise is so handsome, and Willoughby seems so charming and sincere, I was just so disappointed when I found out he was a scoundrel!
Oh yes, this is one of my very favorite soundtracks too! The music suits the theme and the time period so well. It is rather meloncholy, as you said, but more of a a pretty melancholy than a sad melancholy. I just love it! : )
Hehee, I am definitely a hopeless romantic too. It simply can't be helped. : P
Lovely review! : )
~Emma Jane
Beautiful Review! :) I agree with everything you said! I now love Alan Rickman as Col.Brandon he is so good in the role! I am such a hopeless romantic also :D. and the music is simply georgous especially the song in the wedding scene hehe I better go now as I am quite busy :(
ReplyDelete~Evie Brandon