JaneAusten – Credits Rolling

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: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Anne Elliot (Dakota Johnson) has always been underestimated by her father Walter Elliot (Richard E. Grant) and sister Elizabeth (Yolanda Kettle). Believing they know best, they persuaded her not to marry the love of her life, Captain Frederick Wentworth, eight years ago. When Wentworth comes back into Anne’s life, however, sparks the internal struggle of moving forward with her life or giving him a second chance.

Loosely based off of Jane Austen’s final novel Persuasion, this adaption has sparked controversy with die hard fans. Over the years, there have been various versions of Austen’s work, particularly when it comes to Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Sense and Sensibility. While some have closely followed the source material (the Keira Knightley version of the former from 2005 rings a bell), others were a more modernized retelling (the now classic Clueless).

I, for one, was very much looking forward to this new version. I knew going into it that Netflix was giving it a new life and that was a welcome change. I liked the updated script and the fact that Anne interacted with the audience. It kept me totally invested in what was happening and like I was a part of the story too.

Dakota Johnson shined in the role of our protagonist. Her honesty and vulnerability was refreshing to watch. Another exceptional performance came from Mia McKenna-Bruce who played Anne’s younger sister Mary. Her spoiled brat ways could have come across as cringy but instead was anything but. I only wish the same could be said for the male leads. Cosmo Jarvis was fine, though nothing extraordinarily memorable and I wish we’d had more time with Henry Golding’s Mr. Elliot. He was brought it way too late in the game I almost didn’t see the point.

An Austen fan through and through, I was perfectly content with this new version of Persuasion. While it has been ages since I read the book, I was happy with it’s make over. It had everything I could have wanted: longing stares, witty banter, beautiful landscapes and stunning costumes that made me seriously question whether or not I was born in the correct century. Don’t let the negativity deter you – give this one a go!

Rating: ♥♥♥.5