SENSE AND SENSIBILITY
A film review by Michael John Legeros
Copyright 1996 Michael John Legeros
(Columbia) Directed by Ang Lee Written by Emma Thompson, from the novel by Jane Austen Cast Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant MPAA Rating "PG" Running Time 135 minutes Reviewed at Mission Valley Cinemas, Raleigh, NC (20JAN96)
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Over-praised even more than Ron Howard's good-but-not-that-good APOLLO 13, the last Jane Austen adaptation of the year (after CLUELESS and PERSUASION) is a sweet, stately affair. The story stars Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet (HEAVENLY CREATURES) as two sisters-sans- dowries, anxious to be married even if their cash-flow problems may preclude same. The suitors do come, of course, and all sorts of silliness ensues as everyone tries to figure out exactly who is engaged to whom.
The charms of SENSE AND SENSIBILITY are many, thanks in great part to the warmth of a fine cast. The stronger performances include Winset, Thompson, Alan Rickman, and Elizabeth Spriggs, my favorite, as the lively Mrs. Jennings. Sure, Ms. Thompson is too old for her part, but she's a world better than the less-than-divine Hugh Grant. The stam- mering actor is too stiff the role of Bachelor Number One and his presence completely weakens one of the story's core relationships.
Taiwanese director Ang Lee (EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN) directs from a screenplay by Thompson (!) that's very amusing. In fact, the audience that I saw this with laughed at almost every line, gesture, or action by the characters. Perhaps the reason for so much praise is due, in part, to what this movie *isn't.* SENSE AND SENSIBILITY is easy to like (and easy to recommend) because it doesn't contain any blood, bullets, hookers, strippers, cursing, swearing, superheroes, product plugs, sex, drugs, rock `n' roll, or other self-destructive behaviors.
Grade: B+
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Mike Legeros - Raleigh, NC
legeros@nando.net (h) - legeros@unx.sas.com (w)
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