‘Sense and sensibility’

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle’s compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom. 

If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

William Shakespeare

Jane Austen is a great writer, her novels tell us not only about love and marriages, but about strong and weak persons, about feelings and thoughts that lead us and help to make difficult decisions. The filming of her ‘Sense and Sensibility’ is a deserving attempt to show readers this beautiful story. Rightly directed and supported by real masters of their profession (actors) this film can win the lovers’ of Jane Austen work approval or even admiration. Of course it was not impossible to avoid some decreasing of the plot, but I think the director managed to save almost all details in the realization of the story. Maybe John Willoughby’s explanation should have left, but his appearance on the hourseback at the end told us the same.

Characters of Elinor and Marianne were professionally and sensually acted by Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. May be the declaration of love betwenn Elinor and Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant) was too exciting for her, but considering circumstances before this moment we can forgive Elinor’s bursting of sobbing. Hugh Grant played Edward’s role with great talent, showing us his shyness and affection for Elinor.

The most inspiring moment is when Marianne goes to see the Combe Magna (the patrimony of John), it begins to rain and she declares the lines from the Shakespeare’s sonnet #116. This writing was the thread which connected her and Willoughby’s hearts. This moment is full of love and despair, Kate Winslet made it wonderful and tense with her sensual touching speech. Her following illness that threatened the life and loving care of the relatives and Colonel Christopher Brandon can’t leave anyone indifferent. The appearance of Alan Rickman in the role of Colonel is not so expecting, but he did it in outstanding manner.

To my mind the worse character in the film was Mrs. Jennings. I don’t keep in mind actor qualities, but the breadth of this person as she is presented in the book. Yes, I can agree. that her humor is in the film, but the director did’t win by not showing us her care for Marianne.

I could enumerate all disadvantages or inaccuracy, but I don’t want to do it. The book and the filming is perfect: see or read — enjoy it!

‘Sense and sensibility’ — as the book and as the film — worth reading it and seeing in full measure.