Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Rich Mr. Dashwood dies, leaving his second wife and her three daughters poor by the rules of inheritance. The two eldest daughters are the titular opposites.

Director:

Ang Lee

Writers:

Jane Austen (novel), Emma Thompson (screenplay)

Stars:

Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, James Fleet

Won 1 Oscar. Another 32 wins & 47 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Fleet	...	John Dashwood
Tom Wilkinson	...	Mr. Dashwood
Harriet Walter	...	Fanny Dashwood
Kate Winslet	...	Marianne Dashwood
Emma Thompson	...	Elinor Dashwood
Gemma Jones	...	Mrs. Dashwood
Hugh Grant	...	Edward Ferrars
Emilie François	...	Margaret Dashwood
Elizabeth Spriggs	...	Mrs. Jennings
Robert Hardy	...	Sir John Middleton
Ian Brimble	...	Thomas
Isabelle Amyes	...	Betsy
Alan Rickman	...	Colonel Brandon
Greg Wise	...	John Willoughby
Alexander John	...	Curate

Storyline

When Mr. Dashwood dies, he must leave the bulk of his estate to the son by his first marriage, which leaves his second wife and their three daughters (Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret) in straitened circumstances. They are taken in by a kindly cousin, but their lack of fortune affects the marriageability of both practical Elinor and romantic Marianne. When Elinor forms an attachment for the wealthy Edward Ferrars, his family disapproves and separates them. And though Mrs. Jennings tries to match the worthy (and rich) Colonel Brandon to her, Marianne finds the dashing and fiery John Willoughby more to her taste. Both relationships are sorely tried.

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Plot Keywords:

england | 19th century | based on novel | black hair | visit | 

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Taglines:

Lose your heart and come to your senses.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild thematic elements

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English French

Release Date:

26 January 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sense and Sensibility

Filming Locations:

Wonwell Beach, Erme Mouth, Devon, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$721,341, 17 December 1995

Gross USA:

$43,182,776

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$134,582,776

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Mirage Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

136 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR SDDS (8 channels) Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The white muslin dress with yellow overdress Kate Winslet (Marianne Dashwood) wears during the picnic scene is the same costume a farmhouse servant wears in Eroica (2003), and Michelle Ryan wears during the scene in which Sir Thomas asks Maria if she wants to marry Mr. Rushworth in Mansfield Park (2007).

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Goofs

The film is set around 1810 (the original novel was published in 1811). There are a pack of dogs, one of them a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, near a gate. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers were developed in the early 19th century to lure waterfowl. The purebreds originated in Nova Scotia, Canada. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was not introduced to the UK until the 1980s, and was not fully developed as a breed anywhere in 1810. This dog is not a golden retriever, as can be evidenced by the smaller stature, the orange/red fur and the white markings on the chest and nose.

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Quotes

Elinor Dashwood: [as her mother and sisters rant about Willoughby's many qualities] Is he human?

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Connections

Referenced in Angel: Sense and Sensitivity (1999)

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Soundtracks

The Dreame
Music by Patrick Doyle
text by Ben Jonson
End title performance by Jane Eaglen
Courtesy of SONY CLASSICAL

User Reviews

A true story of family, friends, sisterhood, heartbreak, and love

I found "Sense and Sensibilty" to be one of the most charming movies I have seen since "Finding Neverland". It has a very warm feeling and is very welcoming. The story is absolutely beautiful. In the 1990's, all of Jane Austen's huge novels were made into movies and some even in television series. Most of them were very good, but Sense and Sensibility really stood out and was the best. Most thanks to Emma Thompson and her brilliant screenplay, which was also her first. Kudos to her, she seems like a fine and intelligent woman. I found out that this screenplay took her about 4 years to have the final draft done. She also couldn't translate some of the novel into the book so she took some of Austen's letters and put them into the movie.

The acting is absolutely on key and all of the actors fit quite well into their roles. I enjoy period pieces thourelly, if you don't, you might want to skip it. But I would recommend this picture any day. It's very beautiful and a wonderful movie to watch. It has some of the finest British actors: Allen Rickman, Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, and Hugh Grant. So give it a chance, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

10/10