Sense and Sensibility

Here we go with another of Jane Austen's brilliant masterpeices.  Personally, I love this book.  It's about two sisters who approach life very different ways.  This is argueably one of Austen's most realistic stories in terms of characters, for although it is completely possible to see the reality in all her most ridiculous characters, most of the ridicule in Sense and Sensibility is actually quite, well, REAL.  Like, I know people exactly like that, without the slightest exaggeration - match-making Mrs.Jennings and stupid selfish Fanny who essentially whips her husband, and Charlotte who just wont. stop. talking!  It is a very endearing book, in which most women can identify with one of the sisters quite strongly.  A cad who has a heart, though perhaps not enough of one.  And an amazing end!

I remember once I did a "which Jane Austen character are you?" quiz online, and I got Eleanor.  I'll tell you something; it secretly made me proud.  But please don't suspect me of any vanity concerning that!

Any modern crazy adaptations you may ask?  Well - Sense and Seamonsters, following Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.  Again, I refuse to read it, so am in no position to judge or recommend it's worth.

There have been several film adaptations of this novel, and they are all quite different.  Though not as widely adapted to the screen as Pride and Prejudice, it has inspired some very good scripts.

1) Sense and Sensibility (1981) - There is, I fear, very little excuse I can make for this film.  Despite it's being a long adaptation, they left out characters - most particularly distressing was how they ignored little Margaret's existance entirely!  The costumes were accurate again, but there was not very much spark throughout, and although it did admitadly have some decent scenes, the ending was atrocious in my opinion.  Here is a clip that was not too too badly acted, but that is compared to the rest of the movie, not to acting in general.  When Marianne sees Willoughby at the ball in town: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I05rEYA-TY&feature=related
2) Sense and Sensibility (1995) - This is tied for my favourite with the most recent version.  I love, love, love it, and all the characters are portrayed exactly as they should be!!!  It is shorter, so doesn't have time to deal with absolutely everything, but nevertheless manages to be true to the story, artistic, and touching.  And here's an interesting fact: the actress for Eleanor and the actor for Willoughby (Emma Thompson and Greg Wise) are married in real life!!! Yeah, I know, who knew?! I am including a clip, but not what most may expect; this clip is a compilation of all the scenes involving Mr.Palmer, who is played brilliantly by none other than Hugh Laurie.  Yup, for real.  He's sarcastic, has perfect comedic timing, is the brunt of his wife's chatter and livliness, and underneath has a surprisingly good heart.  Here  you are: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8T53_req48

3) Sense and Sensibility (2008) - an amazing version!!!  The only quibbles I have with this version is the terrible interpretation of Mr.Palmer, and that Edward was not quite shy enough, which is unfortunate because I feel like the actor would have made a very endearing shy guy.  Other than that, the music, scenery, camera, costumes, and acting were all superb, and the story well drawn out.  I am attaching a clip to the first few minutes of the movie, but recommend that you watch 5:00 - 7:31.  Almost my favourite 2 1/2 minutes of the movie, the characters of all three Dashwood sisters are covered eloquently, and the humour is AMAZING - focus especially on the children, Margaret and Little Henry, and you will get your laughs!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3HY4e2Ejuk&feature=related