Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Directed by Ang Lee. Starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, Imogen Stubbs, Greg Wise, Harriet Walter, Gemma Jones, Hugh Grant, James Fleet, Hugh Laurie, Imelda Staunton, Emilie Françoise, Robert Hardy, Tom Wilkinson. [PG]

Well-mounted production of the same-named Jane Austen novel describing the Dashwood sisters (Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet), no longer living in comfort and stumbling through social and romantic entanglements in very different fashions. Despite its stuffy and politely-mannered Regency-era trappings, the picture starts out playful and amusing, but as the plot becomes more jumbled, it also strikes a weary note or two as the contrivances pile up and matters sort themselves out far too rapturously. Fault could be blamed on Austen’s limited worldview and comforting domesticity (it was her first novel, and written many years before finally being published), but the screenwriter (also Thompson) missed an opportunity to correct the storytelling flaws and revitalize the various comedy of errors moments, although she does add a few warm, contemporary touches. Alan Rickman’s brooding nature makes his character seem more puzzling than he actually is, Winslet proves that Heavenly Creatures was no fluke with a vivaciously fickle portrayal, Hugh Grant wears out his nervous stammer schtick, Hugh Laurie’s sour grumblings get most of the biggest laughs. Oscar winner for Adapted Screenplay.

62/100