Love exists in all shapes and sizes. From a meaningful glance across the room, a long-awaited gift, or a meaningful embrace, there is so much love that we experience in our everyday lives. Maybe I am just saying this because of the fall spirit in the air and the coziness of the season, but in reality, I know it is because I just saw Sense and Sensibility in theaters, and like most Jane Austen adaptations, I cannot stop thinking about it. It truly encapsulated all the different sorts of love, whether it is sisterly or pure romance. And since love naturally elicits a cozy feeling, it makes so much sense that watching this movie has left me in a state of pure, fall bliss.
Though I will be refraining from spoilers in this article, I will be dancing a bit about the general plot of this film. If you did not already know, Sense and Sensibility is an adaptation based off the book of the same name by Jane Austen, and, like many of her stories, you can expect plenty lot of wit, drama, and romance in this movie/ The general narrative follows the Dashwood family, which consists of Mrs. Dashwood (who is recently widowed) and her three daughters, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret. After their father dies, the sisters have to reckon with many lifestyle changes as society moves on without them (in which ways, I will not spoil). The yearning between the different love interests is certainly a key appeal of this movie, and many Jane Austen stories in general, but personally, I really enjoyed seeing the love of the Dashwood sisters develop, specifically Elinor and Marianne. Throughout the story, they both have their highs and lows that they experience apart from each other, but at the same time, they are influenced by the way the other sister sees the world. For Marianne, as reckless and free-spirited as she is, she admires Elinor’s quietness and ability to contain herself, even when she does not want to. And as for Elinor, she wishes that she could be more expressive with her interests. Both sisters not only admire each other’s qualities, but they also share a bond in wanting each other to be happy, whether they are married or not. And though I was floored with the romantic love stories that I could talk on and on about (#bringbackyearning), I really felt that the Dashwood love was one to behold.
On top of a beautiful plot, the cinematography in this movie is absolutely stellar. If this tells you anything, the first shot of a movie is of a girl sitting in a field on a bright sunny day in Victorian England. The movie is not afraid to include shots of random moments in the outdoors, from the rain falling in a lagoon to the breeze blowing through the trees. It is also completely shot on 35 mm film, which creates a very naturalistic visual experience. I really enjoyed this choice, as I felt that it made the movie feel more human yet also romantic. And, of course, I have no notes on the acting in this movie, except that Fiona Shaw had a lot of fun with this role!
So if you are still unsure about spending the extra $10 you have in your back pocket to see this movie, do not hesitate. I had such a lovely time viewing this movie and talking about it with my friends. We even decided to frolic down a field after the movie (highly recommend!), which turned into a spontaneous photoshoot.Â
Going to see any movie should always be a fun experience overall, and when that experience also includes a Jane Austen love story that is set in the falltime, say less!
How easily, and ardently, it is to love being a girl in the fall ;)