MyrPraune Review of Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility (1981)

Faithful to the novel but poor on acting

[5/10 · 12 February 2010]

I enjoyed the fact that many good moments of the novel are presented in this TV version that you cannot see in the movie, for lack of time. For example, the scene at Mrs Ferrars' little party, which shows the Steeles trying to make themselves liked by the lady, or when Willoughby comes back for an explanation. However, I thought the acting was just horrendous. Whereas I can truly believe in Elinor's love for Edward in the 1995 movie version with Emma Thompson, while believing at the same time in the utmost importance of her attempts at keeping her true feelings secret, in this case, I thought Irene Richard was absolutely not able to convey neither one of these feelings. She is just wooden. On top of that, I was constantly distracted by her prominent front teeth... I'm fully aware this is not a very good reason to dislike an actor, but this is just the truth, I could not stop looking at her mouth all the time! It just ruined it even more. Tracey Child in the role of Marianne has moments that are OK, but she overplays terribly most of the time, especially during her illness. Man! I wanted to slap her. And what about Fanny Dashwood's nervous breakdown!!! I think she ought to go in history for most unbelievable reaction to bad news. One of the actors I enjoyed more was Colonel Brandon, who was not hamming it up, and would let his love for Marianne shine through his facial expressions, his tone of voice. I liked him a lot. The best scene with him is when he starts talking about poetry with Marianne, and she starts seeing him in a new light; you don't see this change of heart as much in the 1995 movie version. Anyway, for a true Jane Austen lover, this version of Sense and Sensibility might be interesting for curiosity value and for the fact that it portrays a few scenes that you don't see elsewhere, but other than that, it's really not great at all.