Hugh Laurie Movie:

				Salesrank:
		MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
Emma Thompson scores a double bull's-eye with this marvelous adaptation of Jane Austen's novel. Not only does Thompson turn in a strong (and gently humorous) performance as one of the Dashwood sisters--the one with "sense"--she also wrote the witty, wise screenplay. Austen's tale of 19th-century manners and morals provides a large cast with a feast of possibilities, notably Kate Winslet, in her pre-Titanic flowering, as Thompson's deeply romantic sister. Winslet attracts the wooing of shy Alan Rickman (a nice change of pace from his bad-guy roles) and dashing Greg Wise, while Thompson must endure an incredibly roundabout courtship with Hugh Grant, here in fine and funny form. All of this is doled out with the usual eye-filling English countryside and handsome costumes, yet the film always seems to be about the careful interior lives of its characters. The director, an inspired choice, is Taiwan-born Ang Lee, who brings the same exquisite taste and discreet touch he displayed in his previous Asian films (such as Eat Drink Man Woman). Thompson's script won an Oscar, and 1995 was a fine year for Jane Austen all around: Persuasion was made into an excellent picture, and Emma became the spritzy high school comedy Clueless. --Robert Horton

Sense and Sensibility (1995) [Region 2] Reviews:
a fun place to visit
2008-11-21 - I must start this review stating my biased approach. I love this time era and this story so of course I would like it. Here is what I will add that some people might find useful in deciding whether or not to purchase this.

The story is believable and the characters are honest. You see the imperfections of the system as well as the optimism that kept them going. The sisters loose their father and are left with an emotional mother who is beside herself for the outcome of their situation and all that threatens her daughters - no dowry, no status, no husband to look after them, no future or hope. One sister goes the rational way and the other gets lost in romantic ideals. Both have faults and it is through those wounds that they are bound together and become a family.

Classic movie
2008-11-17 - I've seen this movie several times and decided to purchase for my library. One of the movies that you can see something new in each time you watch it. A classic that will be around like Sound of Music and Wizard of Oz.

A luscious treat -- with a couple of flaws
2008-11-09 - This is one of my favorite films. I must have watched it a dozen times, and own the DVD.

The script and production are exceptional. You will feel you are in Regency England, the sets, costumes, and landscape -- every detail of the production is gorgeous. The score is also wonderful, and Ang Lee's direction is, well, I'm running out of superlatives. Let's just say every scene is beautiful, and the direction, scoring, script, photography -- all are done beautifully to convey a sense of underlying silence, a quieter more thoughtful time than our own, with a gentler pace.

The casting is brilliant. Kate Winslet is the perfect Marianne Dashwood, and gives a marvelous performance. As does Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon, and all the rest of the cast.

My only complaints are that Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant were miscast, and their acting was many notches below that of the rest of the cast.

Thompson, 36 at the time of this release, is far too old for the part of Elinor, 19. She is not believable as someone of marriagable age in that era. And Hugh Grant is miserably miscast as Edward. His youthfulness further accentuates Thompson's age.

They are not believable in the roles, and their performances are also not up to snuff. When they're on screen, I'm aware of acting and actors, not the characters and story. It's a glaring error, enough to be jarring each time I watch the film. This is a shame, because Thompson's amazing script, the casting, production, directing, and the rest of the cast make this film is a work of art in all other respects.

Even so, this film is a favorite and a wonderful treat each time I see it. I love it enough to give it 5 stars. It never gets old.

A Great Gift
2008-10-21 - I bought Sense and Sensibility for the wife as a birthday present and she loves it. Recommended for Jane Austin fans and other romantic types.

DVD Sense & Sensibility
2008-10-05 - I bought this DVD accidentally. One moment I was looking to buy the DVD Persuasion, and the the next thing I realized I had ordered Sense & Sensibility. SO far I haven't decided what to do with the 2 I ordered.