Sense & Sensibilty 2008 -- My Thoughts (part two)

[olde_fashioned]

Well, I've finally seen it! I've finally seen the duel!! 8-D *lol* And I must say, that the clever editing with the red sealing wax as "blood" was ingenious. I liked that very much.

I'm afraid I haven't much else to say, since this was pretty much what I expected, and I did like it, so I'll try to keep my snark to a minimum. *pause* Oh who am I kidding?? ;-P

This story always makes me cry. I can't help it! Be it the novel, Emma Thompson's version, or now this new adaptation, just something about the heart-rending poignancy of two sisters crossed in love, each with a seemingly hopeless love story, and yet they both get such beautifully happy endings. Marianne's illness and Elinor's fear of losing her beloved sister (Elinor's momentary panic at Marianne's apparent lack of breathing was gut-wrenching) and then the whole Brandon/Marianne/Willoughby love triangle. We are (or at least I am) left wishing for "the good guy" to get his reward and the woman he loves, and yet who wants to see the poor girl get her heart broken, which surely must happen in order for her to marry anyone but Willougby? And then Elinor and Edward!! Once we learn of the existence of Lucy Steele, my my. I couldn't have dreamed up Jane Austen's ending if I tried for a hundred years. :-D

I couldn't help but see the ghost of S&S 1995 lurking in every corner. Certain dialogue, yes, I know it's from the book, but the delivery either reeked of S&S '95 or it went in the entirely opposite direction to "avoid" being similar. (I think P&P 2005 fell into a similar trap, but I suppose it's hard for a new adaptation to compete with such a well-loved predecessor.)

I do not like Mrs. Jennings at all. Why didn't the Palmers leave when Marianne got sick? Then we could have had Mrs. Jennings nurse Marianne and then Marianne would have yet another person she had misjudged turn out to be entirely different from what she had previously believed, proving her judgment flawed. I do think that Marianne's lack of perception is part of the theme of the novel.

Hooray for Edward vs. Monster Mommy! (I wonder if Jane Austen fashioned Mrs. Ferrars after Grendel's mother? *hmmm* There's an idea.) But what a witch! I felt like cheering for Edward when he stood by his obligation to Lucy, even though I can't stand her. To quote the 1995 Mrs. Jennings, "he stood by her, good man!" I still can't get excited about Edward Ferrars (he's my second to least favourite, trumped only by the uber-masculine and heroic Edmund Bertram of Mansfield Park) but I do applaud his steadfastness in regard to honouring a decision that he no longer desires to uphold. Both Edward and Elinor exhibit admirable amounts of self-control and selflessness. (*coughMarianneareyoulistening?cough*)

That hideous Dashwood child was there again! This time playing with what looked like ceramic figurines...if he treats his toys anything like he treated Margaret's poor pony, then I pity his poor porcelain victims!

Did anyone else notice the back of Elinor's striped dress, the one she wears when she's sitting on the bed after she's learned of Edward standing by Lucy, and then later again when he proposes at Barton Cottage?? Helloooooo it's Lizzy's from the 2005 P&P!! It's her Pemberley sculpture gallery dress! It has the same embroidery on the back bodice seams, and I swear they just dyed it a purpley-pink. [Edit: Upon closer examination, it appears to be a mere knock-off, not the exact dress used in P&P.] [News flash! New Sense & Sensibilty to be released under alternate title: Raiding Elizabeth Bennet's Closet!] If it's not the same exact dress, then it's a pretty doggone close copy. HERE is a pic of Lizzy's dress on display at Chatsworth, IIRC, but I don't have one of Elinor. Sorry! (if anyone else has one I'd be very much obliged if you'd let me know about it!)

I was very disappointed that we STILL did not get a "declaration of love" from Colonel Brandon. Here so much effort has gone into establishing what a "true romantic" the Colonel is, and yet we don't even get to hear him propose??? GAH!! *sigh* Oh well. I can hope for S&S4.

Okay, enough negativism. I loved that Colonel Brandon has hawks!! Okay, so far only one hawk, but I still like that. Hawks are so intrinsically romantic, and calling Marianne over so she can pet it was cute. :-) (and prettyprettypretty music during that scene!!) I want his library. I want his horse. (such a pretty tail...) And I want to know what that piece of music is that he gave to Marianne to learn!! *stomps foot* Hopefully it's a classical piece so I can iTunes it. ;-D

I really, really liked this Elinor. She's probably pretty close to how I imagine her in my mind while reading the novel. Suitably elegant, with a very pretty radiance of complexion that would do any Austen heroine proud. ;-) I did like her hair, except for those stupid bangs. They were distracting.

Speaking of bangs, WHAT was wrong with Eliza's hair???? :-/ It was a nice touch to have Colonel Brandon (henceforth CB, since I'm getting sick of typing out his name each time) come and visit his fallen ward. I like it when they have the heroes interact with babies and children. (It's like having a big flashing arrow over his head that says "GOOD GUY! GOOD GUY!" Quite unlike Willoughby, who's dark hair, squinty eyes, and caddish manner of carrying himself just shrieks "villain".) And he actually smiled!! Whaddaya know! You know, costume-drama-makers, it actually *is* okay to let the hero smile for more than a millisecond. We won't hate him for it, really. I promise.

CB catching Marianne when she faints was not in the book, but I liked it anyway. ;-D Very nice touch! (as was the "white knight in shining armor" riding to save damsel-in-distress in the rain...)

Since when is CB an expert on hypothermia?? (and boy was I relieved when he relinquished the task of getting her wet things off to Elinor!! *whew* I thought we were in for yet another Davies surprise...)

I think that's it, but I've probably forgotten something since it's so late. One closing remark: I agree with Elinor! We need more Colonels!! ;-P

(my review for part one may be viewed HERE)

Comments

[last-archangel.livejournal.com]

Since when is CB an expert on hypothermia??
Well he was in the army for 20 years. One picks up on such things. :)

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, I suppose you're right. ;-)

[ibmiller.livejournal.com]

Interestingly enough, the 1981 BBC Sense and Sensibility had Brandon appearing at the ball as well (at least, I think it's Brandon): http://youtube.com/watch?v=2I05rEYA-TY. I think you're right about Elinor's dress - though I think it looks much better on her than Knightley, but I really love her green stripey dress (that she wears in London quite a bit). All in all, one of my new favorites in Jane Austen adaptations.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I did see that, ages ago, but I forget most of the details.

I love any stripey dresses. ;-P

[watching-ships.livejournal.com]

I did enjoy this one very much. The most annoying thing though? Anne Steele. What was going on with that accent? It's like she was channeling a valley girl simultaneously with someone from the East End, and then something else that I couldn't quite pick up on. My goodness.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I caught that, too, but I think it's some sort of unusual British accent, but I'm not knowledgable to know which one. She kind of reminded me of the accents of the Ridd family in Lorna Doone, but that could just be my ears playing tricks on me. They lived in Devon and Somerset in that. ^-^

[midenianscholar.livejournal.com]

Yay!

I liked it too. But I do have a few bones to pick.

When CB went for her dress when she was all wet, I was like, "OH NO YOU DON'T, ANDREW DAVIES!" Mom and Laura laughed at me.

Wood chopping + fencing + hawks + library = ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

I have to say I really, really liked Edward in this version. Still don't like him too much in the book, but I thought his actor (who is soooooo much better looking than the last one, 'nough said) did his best to portray the Edward Who Is Unwillingly Trapped By a Stupid Choice But Is Still Too Heroic To Discard The Young Lady. I thought his proposal could have used just a liiiittle bit more uncertainty, but over all I was very satisfied. We got nice bits of his angst, which helped I think. (I can't help it! I like angsty boys!)

When Elinor started hyperventilating as she finds out he isn't married, I laughed. Poor her!

I liked that they kept the Willoughby-Comes-To-Wine-and-Regret scene, but they didn't keep how Elinor humors him. I thought it was a good bye-bye to Willoughby, the miserable wretch who totally deserves it.

Ummmmmmmmmmm. Oi, this is turning to a review of my own. The sister conversation under the sheet was too much like P&P. Except, without P&P's good lighting. Also, when Marianne is like, "I wish you were so happy!" And Elinor's like, "Maybe I'll find another CB." I was like, "Ummm, no, this is S&S, not P&P, kthxbye."

Edit: Lucy Steele wasn't obnoxious enough in this version, I think, but it was probably because she didn't get much screen time. Her SISTER though! I died.

Also, I loved the wax+fencing, and the CB catching Marianne. I thought it was a very good touch.

But, over all, I was very happy. ^-^

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

LOL!! My reaction was similar, only I do try not to talk to the TV when I'm the only one in the room/awake. ;-P

Wood chopping -- eh. ZZzzz. Swords, books, and hawks are much more my style. ;-P

This Brandon has better taste in hats.

I'm still on the fence for New!Edward vs. Old!Edward. Not that I'm crazy about Hugh Grant's portrayal, mind!! I just didn't think this one was as shy/bashful and (as you said) angsty enough.

At least she can cry better than ET! ^-^ I thought that whole scene was sweet.

I've always liked the "Willoughby-Sprouts-a-Conscience" confession. But they left out the part where he says he'd rather Marianne was dead than married to CB. *grrr*

Sisters under sheets AGAIN?? Come on AD, you're more clever than that....!!

I agree re: Lucy. Not conniving enough. Her sister was quite humourous, though!! ;-P "It just popped out!!" *snort*

CB catching Marianne was oooooooooooooooooo....very nice, indeed. *one point for AD*

I'm going to watch it again and see what I think upon a second viewing. ;-)

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

The CB romance was the best part of the series

I agree!! Edward+Elinor just really doesn't do it for me, even though I like Elinor.

Charity Wakefield had quite a job to do, to try and make the character her own and not Kate Winslet's all over again. I think she did a pretty good job as a rebellious romantic teenager. ;-)

[airehen.livejournal.com]

I missed it... :(

but I did watch the Prince and the Pauper...

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Oh, no! 8-/

Some consolation...

I think it's on YouTube...:-)

[savyleartist.livejournal.com]

I didn't like Mrs. Jennings too much either-she waws more annoying than commical.

I loved the cinimitography with the was as blood-it toook me a second to understand :-P!

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Yes, exactly.

I liked that a lot! :-)

[littleflower518.livejournal.com]

I have to say that this one was my FAVORITE of all of them!! Steve liked this one best too!!
LOVED IT!
Lindy

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with you, Lindy!! S&S was definitely the best, and then Northanger. ;-)

Wow, you actually got him to watch ALL of them with you?? :-D (now what about Cranford, lol)

[sabrinafair2.livejournal.com]

"I couldn't help but see the ghost of S&S 1995 lurking in every corner."

So in your opinion was it better than the 95 version? If so I'm going to be sure to make time for it, otherwise I'll probably just stick with the 95 version.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. I think I still like the 1995 version better -- but it could just be because that's what I'm comfortable with. I'm going to try and give this version a chance to grow on me, though! But I don't think you should not watch the new one. It *is* good, and it has a lot of scenes/characters that aren't in the old S&S, namely Mrs. Ferrars and the Middletons. It's worth watching just for that duel...;-P

[anodiel.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed S&S. I could reaaaally relate to Marianne and getting her heartbroken. I could feel her pain with every tear she shed. I'm glad though that she was able to get past it to fall in love Colonel Brandon. They were better for each other than her and Willoughby. I'm very much going to read the book!

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I didn't realize you hadn't read the book!! It was the first one I ever tried, and I'm glad I persevered. :-)

I hope you like it!

[enchantinglight.livejournal.com]

I agree, the wax as "blood" part was awesome!

Hawks are romantic, huh? Not when they're trying to attack the little sparrows in your backyard. :(


And when CB reached for her clothes! I'm going, "Uh, what? Who wrote that in?" (Never mind, I know. *rolls eyes*)

I liked it. My copy's on its way. :)

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Yup!! That it was. Very original. Mega points for whoever thought that one up! ;-)

AWW!!! *sniffles* Poor wittle spawwows... :-(

*snort* Yeah, I know. But I heard (or rather saw, haha) someone on RoP interpret it as CB reverting into "soldier mode", I think she called it. He was kind of "search and rescue" there, trying to find her, then I guess he just continued with fixing her -- ?? Whatever. At least Elinor was in the room -- quite unlike the "she asked to see you" scene, which I heard that was done because of a scheduling/costuming problem.

I taped it. *hee*

[midenianscholar.livejournal.com]

Unrelated: I'm going to do Beth Moore's new Bible Study on Psalms, and I was wondering if you'd be at all interested in joining me? Beth Moore is pretty darn awesome. I think you have to buy the book ($25??) at LifeWay, but I think the videos are free to download online. (Or you could buy them.) Anyway, if you're interested I'll ask my mom and get more specific prices and suchness.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Hmmm! I'm interested, yes! But who is Beth Moore? I'm afraid I've never heard of her...:-/ Any relation to Roy Moore?

Re: Stripey Dresses

[ibmiller.livejournal.com]

After searching a bunch, I'm not sure that Hattie's stripey pink dress in this Sense and Sensibility is the same as Keira's stripey pink dress in Pride and Prejudice. Here are my screencaps:





I think the P&P dress has a slightly differnt pattern (alternating thick and thin darker stripes) than the S&S dress (uniformly thick darker stripes with thin stripes on each side as borders). Also, there seems to be a different front seam - the P&P dress has one from the center of the neckline to the left side of the waistline, while the S&S dress seems to be a much more vertical line.

Re: Stripey Dresses

[smile-no-regret.livejournal.com]

yes i think you right ibmiller,
though they have resemblances they are not exactaly they same and Kira's dress has a ruffle on the top of the neck line