Tag: FionaShaw

Sense and Sensibility

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When the Dashwoods are forced to move out of their family estate, they find solace in a humble cottage in the country. Three sisters Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones), Marianne (Esmee Creed-Miles) and Margaret (Bodhi Rae Breathnach) embark on a journey of love, heartbreak and self discovery while in their new surroundings.

Author Jane Austen has had her work adapted for the screen time and time again. Sense and Sensibility, on its own, has been made into three television series and two feature films! Sometimes these updated versions are unnecessary, but because I am a big Austen fan, I was curious to see director Georgia Oakley’s take on the classic.

I know I read the book, but this was a while ago now and I cannot remember much. It’s not one of the ones that I am overly familiar with and as a result I went into the film with a fresh pair of eyes. I felt like this was the best way to do it as well because I was able to fully immerse myself in this version of the film. I was worried it wouldn’t grip me or that I would find it difficult to follow though that wasn’t the case at all.

A good romance is supposed to make you feel absolutely everything. Butterflies in your stomach, sweaty palms and above all the hope that the characters you are rooting for will end up together. At the centre of the story is the relationship between Elinor and Edward Ferrars (George MacKay). The will they won’t they was enough to make me want to rip my hair out because I honestly did not know how they were going to end up. There’s just something so innocent about love during this time period that hits differently. Marianne, on the other hand, captured the heart of two suitors – Colonel Brandon (Herbert Nordrum) and Willoughby (Frank Dillane). Her journey was the opposite of her older sister’s and it really made me feel sorry for her.

At the core of it all, however, is the depiction of sisterhood. While the film focuses more on the experiences of Elinor and Marianne, Margaret is still very much apart of the events that occur. Their bond is unlike any other and while they may disagree at times, they are always there for one another and really help build the other up in their time of need. I enjoyed the simpler scenes when Elinor and Marianne would be chatting in their bed chambers or when Elinor would spend time with Margaret in the fields close to their home.

Up until now, the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley was my favorite of Austen’s adaptions. I think that Sense and Sensibility has come very close to that. It really was beautifully done from its phenomenal casting choices (I mustn’t forget to mention Fiona Shaw’s scene stealing performance as Mrs. Jennings), to the breathtaking landscapes of the countryside and the sweeping score that really helped set the tone of the film. I know I was a bit late to the party with this one, but I am so glad I made time for it.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Echo Valley

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Kate (Julianne Moore) owns and lives in Echo Valley, a tranquil ranch, where she trains horses and provides riding lessons to the community. Struggling with the loss of her wife, she is starting to wonder how she will continue to make ends meet. When her daughter Claire (Sydney Sweeney) shows up unexpectedly, Kate’s life is turned upside down.

Penned by Brad Ingelsby, the man behind Mare of Easttown, the audience is gripped from the get go. While it takes a bit of time to set up, this is all important in the grand scheme of things. Once the players are established and we learn what’s at stake, it ramps up rather quickly.

Where the film excels is definitely in its performances. Moore is almost always perfect and she more than delivers here. She really drives home the never-ending question of how far a mother would go for their child. Sweeney is a convincing drug addict. She really made me hate her character which just goes to show that she gave everything she had to the role. Fiona Shaw portrays Leslie who serves as an anchor of sorts for Moore’s Kate; a ride or die friend who deserves a medal. Lastly Domhnall Gleeson is dealer Jackie. Perfectly creepy in every single way, it was strange to see him like this!

There’s no doubt that the setting is stunning. It helps bring out the uneasy tone that is felt throughout. From the vast acres of the ranch to the serene lake and the old-fashioned house where Kate resides, the limited locations make the film even more intimate and like these characters and places could actually be real.

Overall Echo Valley is an entertaining thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. It may have taken some time to get going and the plot may not be entirely original, but that didn’t bother me. I liked that it didn’t go where I was expecting it to and that there were still some surprises along the way.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

IF

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John Krasinki is back in the director’s seat with a completely different type of film. Bea (Cailey Fleming) is going through a tough time. When she moves in with her grandmother (Fiona Shaw), she ends up befriending one of the upstairs neighbors named Cal (Ryan Reynolds). Cal is on a mission to reunite IFs, or imaginary friends, with new children as their old ones have grown up and forgotten about them. He enlists the help of Bea and together they embark on a magical adventure.

Where the film exceeds is in its casting. Fleming is a great pick for our protagonist. I’ve never seen her before, but her performance was endearing and relatable. Reynolds seems to dial it back a bit from his usual song and dance to give Fleming more of the spotlight. He’s still a very important player though and the two worked well together. For me it was the different voices that brought the IFs to life that I had fun discovering: Steve Carell as Blue, Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Blossom, Louis Gossett Jr. as Lewis, Akwafina as Bubble, Emily Blunt as Unicorn, George Clooney as Spaceman, Bradley Cooper as Ice and many more.

Unfortunately there are some pacing issues that are evident throughout. Things take too long to get going in the beginning. There’s some groundwork that needs to be set up with the audience learning about Bea’s life which is fine, but I wanted more time with the IFs! I also felt like it wrapped up way too quickly in the end.

The moral of the story of getting back in touch with your inner child really spoke to me. I was one of those kids who had an imaginary friend and I could totally relate in that I don’t even remember who they are anymore. Just because you grow up doesn’t mean you don’t have to forget the parts of you that made you happy when you were younger. These sentiments really tugged at my heartstrings.

Overall IF was an enjoyable film that the whole family can enjoy. It will certainly resonate with children for the beloved friends they will meet along the way, but I think it is the adults who will get the most out of it. Though it may have gotten a bit muddled along the way, it is still worth checking out.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5