A Film Review: Sense & Sensibility (2008)

You may have noticed the blog button to my right....top right. Miss Laurie of  Old-Fashioned Charm is hosting a Period Drama Challenge. Go check it out for the rules. This is my first post for the challenge. I aim to be a period film fanatic (12-15 films + reviews). But I may fall short.

Sense & Sensibility

For those of you who don't like to read lengthy posts detailing the pros and cons of a film, I'll simply say this: I recommend this film. It was superbly written, acted, and filmed. I give it four and a half stars (out of five) as a period film.

Disclaimer: I shall try as hard as I can not to compare this film with Emma Thompson's interpretation, only comparing it to Jane Austen's. Though I am sure some comparisons shall make there way into this post, despite my best efforts. So if you'll bear with me, I shall start right in.

The dialogue, while certainly not being copied directly from the book (something I had actually expected, as it had been the case with Andrew Davies' Pride & Prejudice), was good. You may be asking yourself.

''What makes it good when it's not entirely accurate?''

Well I'm glad you asked...

It boils down to this. Not a single line was out of character for anyone. Nor was it out of place for the plot. Besides, there was a bit of dialogue that wasn't included in the book. Dialogue that I was disappointed not to be able to read. Andrew Davies took the time to know the characters and it shows in his writing.

As I said, the characters were very accurate. I absolutely loved that Davies focused on Brandon and Marianne's friendship. He seems to want to emphasize the same things I like to think about. That Marianne could have, and would have loved him sooner, had it not been for ''Mr. W''. 

I am very glad he emphasized Marianne's respect for his opinion, and his true appreciation for her music.

The plot was spot on, and there was only the opening scene that was unnecessary. Nothing major was left out or forgotten, and no great liberty was taken with the story. 

*Again, there was one scene in the beginning that needed to be skipped. While Austen always handled her more, sensational affairs, with delicacy, Davies does not. He likes to be sensational.*

Now, as to the film-making aspects. The music was beautiful, the filmography stunning, the scenery breathtaking. Costumes were accurate (I fell in love with Elinor's entire wardrobe, not to mention her hair!!). 

Hope that helps!!