‘Sense and Sensibility’ sensibly portrays a love greater than romance

By Danielle Cherry 

An atmospheric romance with a taste of drama, “Sense and Sensibility” follows the whirlwind life of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianna. Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, the movie adaptation brings the joys of sisterhood and blistering romance to the big screen. 

Set in the Victorian time period, Elinor (Daisy Edgar Jones) and Marianna (Esme Creed Miles) are left to find suitable husbands in lew of their fathers death. Conveniently, wealthy bachelor Edward Ferras comes knocking with his family in order to help the grieving Dashwoods—and also take their estate. 

For Elinor, she understands everything logically and so it makes sense that the Ferras’ would come and take the wealth of the mansion. But to Marianna, everything is felt with her huge heart, a heart full of the anger, fear and grief that comes from losing a father and everything she has known. 

Along with their difference in emotion, the sister’s desire to find a match like them is even more prominent—and for Elinor love is not far away, with Edward catching her eye. Mariana is more passionate in her pursuit of a match, falling, literally, in love with the first guy who pays her attention. The sisters’ differences in the pursuit of love could not be more drastic. 

In a movie so dramatic, the acting really carries the story. Daisy Edgar Jones and Esmé Creed Miles are outstanding in capturing the different countenances of the sisters. Their dynamic is one of a sisterly love that quarrels but also comforts. 

There is nothing quite like watching cinematography as intentional as “Sense and Sensibility;” every lingering shot, tight zoom and spanning landscape add tension and emotionality to the acting that takes place.

Shot in a narrow frame, “Sense and Sensibility” brings an old film feel, complete with film grain to set the tone throughout the whole picture. Shots are incredibly intimate, drawing close enough to see tiny flickers of emotion roll across the actor’s faces, showing an inner turmoil neither sister nor suitor are able to express. 

Time-period movies have been corrupted recently, with wardrobe pieces being too modern and makeup that is uncharacteristically too loud for the historical period. “Sense and Sensibility” is not one of those movies. There is subtlety in makeup and intentionality in costuming. Nothing feels out of place, rather it all draws together to produce a scene that feels straight out of the 1800s. 

This movie speaks of a happiness that is greater than finding romantic contentment in another person. In a truly trying moment, Elinor says “I am my own master,” signifying her desire to choose the life she wants. When faced with another heartbreaking encounter with Edward, she sees that love is not the end-all-be-all but rather she has the power to control her own story. 

“Sense and Sensibility,” while being a movie about girls finding love, also shows that love is not truly what brings lasting happiness. Written in a time period where marriage was the only option for a girl’s future, Austen tells a compelling story that still speaks to modern audiences. 

The sisters find a love in each other that satisfies more than the love from a boy. While each finds their eventual match, the movie emphasises how the sisters become closer because of the romantic turmoil they both endure. They learn to understand each other and because of that they finally see the other for who they truly are. 

With a romance so tense and confessions so grand, “Sense and Sensibility” sets itself apart from the cheap romantic movies our modern era has created. Speaking to a love that is deeper than superficial attraction, “Sense and Sensibility” shows that love is something that is closer than one might realize—and that familial love is far more profound than romantic love. 

“Sense and Sensibility” creates an unfolding story that lingers in the audience’s mind. I am left marinating in the atmosphere, the exquisite British euphemisms and profoundly intimate-detail shots that make up this movie. With so many lessons about love, I am still stuck daydreaming of being gifted a white steed as a romantic gesture. 

“Sense and Sensibility” is currently playing in theaters 

Danielle Cherry is a junior communication major and is assistant editor and writer for A&E and passionate writer for Sports. She is a Missionary Kid from Germany and wallows in confusion about why two people can be utterly infatuated with the other, but not say a single word. 

Images courtesy of Working Title Films and Focus Features