Focus Features is releasing a new adaptation of Sense and Sensibility directed by Georgia Oakley. Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, the film arrives in cinemas this Friday to coincide with the 215th anniversary of Jane Austen's novel.
Arnaud Potier's 'Old Masters' visuals vs. a two-star rating
The new Sense and Sensibility arrives with a striking aesthetic, thanks to cinematographer Arnaud Potier.. According to the review, Potier's interior shots evoke the feel of Old Masters paintings, creating a visually lush environment for the Dashwood sisters. However, this visual polish does not save the film from a two-star assessment.
Working Title produced the film at a time when Jane Austen's popularity remains high,but the report suggests that beauty cannot replace the narrative precision required for a successful adaptation. While the film is "gorgeous on the eye," it fails to capture the intellectual rigor of the source material.
The struggle to translate 18th-century restraint into the smartphone era
A central tension in Georgia Oakley's direction is the clash between Jane Austen's world of civility and the expectations of a modern audience. The review notes that telling a story based on "things left unsaid" is difficult in an age of emojis and instant communication. This conceptual struggle manifests in the relationship between Elinor Dashwood, played by Daisy Edgar-Jones,and Edward Ferrers, played by George MacKay.
As the report says, the chemistry between Edgar-Jones and MacKay is portrayed too overtly and physically. This choice erodes the subtle misunderstandings that drive the plot, a nuance that the 1995 Ang Lee adaptation managed far more effectively. By making the attraction obvious, the film removes the tension that defines Elinor's "sense."
Herbert Nordrum's Scandinavian accent and the 'quintessentially English' hero
The casting choices in this version have proven polarizing.. While Esme Creed-Miles is praised as a "splendidly tempestuous" Marianne and Fiona Shaw is noted for her scene-stealing turn as the vulgar Mrs. Jennings, other choices falter. Specifically, the casting of Norwegian actor Herbert Nordrum as Colonel Brandon is flagged as a mismatch .
The review describes Colonel Brandon as a "quintessentially English hero ," making Nordrum's slight Scandinavian accent feel as out of place as a "denim jacket" in the Regency era. This disconnect highlights a broader struggle in the film to maintain a cohesive period atmosphere while attempting to modernize the delivery.
Will Dolly Alderton's December Netflix debut fare better?
The release of this Sense and Sensibility comes amidst a wave of renewed Austen interest, including a Pride and Prejudice interpretation by Dolly Alderton arriving on Netflix in December. Whether Alderton can avoid the pitfalls of the Oakley film remains to be seen, especially given the enduring shadow of the 1995 BBC version.
Several narrative choices in the new Sense and Sensibility leave the viewer questioning the creative direction. For instance , the review asks why the film included a duel between Willoughby and Brandon, calling the scene unnecessary. Furthermore, there is a lingering question regarding the logic of Edward Ferrers' engagement to Lucy Steele;the report suggests that in a modern context, such a bond would hardly survive, yet the film doesn't sufficiently justify why Edward clings to it.
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