Released on Oct. 16, “Sense and Sensibility” has marked itself as the most beautiful film of the year. With its heart-pounding romance, ethereal music and stunning visuals, this movie transports audiences straight into the world of Jane Austen’s beloved novel.
The film follows two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, as they navigate love and heartbreak in England during the late 1700s. Director Georgia Oakley brought lots of tenderness to how she captured the romantic love both sisters experience, but also the sisterly love they feel for one another. Oakley chose to bring the relationship between the two sisters to the forefront of this adaptation, deepening the audience’s understanding of their sisterhood.
Daisy Edgar-Jones portrays Elinor with a stoicism that makes audiences feel for her. In the one moment where she bursts out at John Willoughby, played by Frank Dillane, for hurting Marianne, her anger is felt much deeper because of how much she’d held her feelings back. This also circles back to the emphasis on sisterhood throughout the film and creates a deeper connection between the sisters compared to other adaptations.
Starring opposite Edgar-Jones is Esmé Creed-Miles as Marianne, and her performance breathes a youthful life into the film. Marianne and Elinor are two sides of the same coin and Creed-Miles was able to find that balance in her performance with Marianne’s passion for life and art. Her liveliness adds the soul to the film while Edgar-Jones adds the heart.
Composed by Roger Goula, the score makes audiences feel like they’re floating on air. The light strings and piano evoke the feeling of being utterly in love as Elinor and Edward, played by George MacKay, kiss on the sweeping hills of rural England. On the other hand, you can feel Marianne’s heartbreak through the somber choir as she realizes Willoughby never loved her.
With beautiful warm colors, the cinematography breathes life into Norland Park and the Barton Cottage. It’s able to capture the feelings of the girls as they go through the love and heartbreak of their own lives, reflecting that in how they’re lit during scenes of distress or tenderness. It brings audiences into the story on a visual level, steering their emotions.
The costumes throughout the film are very earthy and warm, bringing audiences into the Dashwoods’ personal lives. The costumes evolve as the Dashwoods navigate their ever-changing financial situation as they move from the grand Norland estate to the small Barton cottage. Costume designer Grace Snell takes the garments they already own and transforms them into pieces that the girls can use to complete their new, rugged tasks that they wouldn’t have had to before, emphasizing the girls’ lack of money.
Every aspect of the film comes together to create a deeply emotional story. Audiences will laugh along with the sisters as they tease each other, but also weep tears of joy as Elinor and Edward confess their love. The film understands that what makes Austen’s stories tick is the human connection throughout them.
“Sense and Sensibility” breathes new life into the beloved story that many are familiar with. On par with the 2005 adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice,” audiences are sure to save a spot in their hearts for this film.