David R. Walker

Archive for the ‘Georgia Oakley’ Category

Sense and Sensibility

Director: Georgia Oakley

Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Esme Creed-Miles, George Mackay, Caitroina Balfe, Frank Dillane, Herbert Nordrum, Fiona Shaw, Bodhi Rae Breathnach

Running Time: 2 hours and 11 minutes

Film Rating: 8 out of 10

Young British director Georgia Oakley serves up a sumptuous film version of Sense and Sensibility the 1811 novel by Jane Austen, a ravishing and authentic cinematic reimaging that Austen would be proud of.

31 years after the Oscar winning Ang Lee version of Sense and Sensibility, a 21^st century version of one of Austen’s classic novels was due for a remake.

Cast as the ambitious but single Dashwood sisters are Daisy Edgar-Jones (Twisters, Where the Crawdads Sing) as the sensible Elinor and Esme Creed-Miles as the impulsive and headstrong Marianne Dashwood along with Hamnet star Bodhi Rae Breathnach as the young Margaret.

When their father dies and leaves the Dashwoods in financial distress, wealthy relatives come and take charge however, Mrs Dashwood wonderfully played by Caitroina Balfe (Belfast, Ford v Ferrari) does not wish to live under the rules of her brother-in-law who has inherited the entire estate. At the insistence of the loquacious Mrs Jennings, superbly played by Fiona Shaw (The Black Dahlia, Colette), the Dashwoods relocate to Devon.

On this physical and soon to be emotional journey, both Marianne and Elinor find possible love with respective suitors. Marianne is rescued on a beach by the handsome Willoughby played by Frank Dillane (In the Heart of the Sea) while Elinor more susceptible to the strict social norms of the early 19^th century has a desire for the charming and gentle Edward Ferrars exceptionally well played by George McKay (1917).

As each sister navigates the tricky social world of English society, both in the country and in London, director Georgia Oakley paints a vivid and erudite picture of England which was intensely patriarchal in which all the property and wealth was only transferred to the men, their brothers or their sons.

A generational system which served to keep men in power and women dependent, a situation which Jane Austen so subtly criticised in all her novels.

While Marianne discovers that some men are scoundrels, Elinor realizes that miscommunication and repression of one’s feelings do not lead to lasting romance. Looking on at the misadventures of the eligible Dashwood sisters is the kind Colonel Brandon expertly played by Norwegian actor Herbert Nordrum (The Worst Person in the World), who is the epitome of a gentleman, chivalrous and protective.

Sense and Sensibility is held together by a strong cinematic vision, slightly gritty but also elegant as the production design by Francesca di Mottola and the costumes by Grace Snell create a definite contrast between the Dashwoods in the country and their time in London, with its winter balls, fashion and voluminous art galleries. The scene in the National Gallery between Elinor and Edward is resplendent with authenticity, repression and desire.

As a whole, the cast do excellently especially the two main actresses and the leading men do their best to be both raffish and desirable. After all as young Margaret complains all the men are in London.

Sense and Sensibility does start off slowly, but soon the narrative builds momentum, making the second and third acts both enticing and entertaining filled with drama, a duel and suitable developments.

If viewers enjoy quality period films which are not out to shock the audience, then Sense and Sensibility is highly recommended as a beautiful film which is by no means a masterpiece but is certainly marvellous to contemplate.

Sense and Sensibility gets a film rating of 8 out of 10 and is aesthetically enriching and brilliantly acted.