by Henry Pham
Sense and Sensibility is based on the 1811 novel by Jane Austen and marks the second film adaptation, following the 1995 version (directed by Ang Lee and written by actress Emma Thompson, who won an Oscar for her writing). It focuses on three Dashwood sisters named Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret Dashwood, who, along with their mother, are left with virtually no money after their father dies. They are forced to leave their comfortable home, Norland Park, and relocate to a modest country cottage.
Actresses Daisy Edgar-Jones (Where the Crawdad Sings, Twisters), Esmé Creed-Miles (Amazon’s Hanna), and Bodhi Rae Breathnach (Hamnet) portray the three Dashwood sisters: Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, while Golden Globe nominee Caitríona Balfe (Starz’s Outlander) portrays Mrs. Dashwood in a supporting role. Supporting actors Frank Dillane (AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead), Herbert Nordrum (The Worst Person in the World), George MacKay (1917), and Fiona Shaw (Harry Potter films) also star in the film.
This new adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, distributed by Focus Features and written by Diana Reid, marks Georgia Oakley’s second directorial project after Blue Jean. Produced by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, the story features frequent humor and clever dialogue, which resonated well with audiences. While not the definitive adaptation, it was well received, with the humor effectively balancing the film’s emotional and coming-of-age themes. As the three sisters discover purpose and relationships, the plot becomes increasingly engaging. The colour palette in this film is also nostalgic, like the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice (which featured Oscar nominee Keira Knightley).
The film draws heavily from historical British dramas, such as Downton Abbey and Bridgerton, to develop its character themes. Oakley’s direction maintains a consistent tone of humor, female empowerment, sisterhood, and underlying tension. At times, Oakley’s approach is smooth and effective. Tension among the female characters is well developed, while the director remains faithful to the source material. The cast delivers strong and comedic performances, with Fiona Shaw providing notable comic relief. However, the emphasis on humor occasionally detracts from the film’s creative depth.
Sense and Sensibility may not be the perfect adaptation, but it’s a wishful version many Jane Austen’s fans would hope for. The cast did a terrific job, but Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles carried the film. I know this movie may not be familiar to modern audiences, but it works really well for book-loving audiences and those who have seen the 1995 version. In fact, as the movie award season arrives, this could be one of the fascinating choices in any category (mostly for screenplay achievement). And for anyone interested in British dramas, this is an interesting watch, and it clocks in at 132 minutes, which is four minutes shorter than the 1995 version.
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