[New Film] Jane Austen’s Classic ‘Sense and Sensibility’ Opens on the 28th, Bringing 19th-Century Romance to Life

19th-century inheritance laws and the diverging fates of two sisters

In matters of love, both cool reason and fiery passion can sometimes lose their way. Director Georgia Oakley’s new film, ‘Sense and Sensibility,’ delves deeply into the complexities of the human psyche through two sisters who fall in love and get hurt in their own ways.

The film is based on the novel of the same name, published in 1811 by Jane Austen, a giant of English literature. The story begins with entailment, the harsh inheritance system in 19th-century England. After their father dies, a system that transfers property only to male heirs forces the four Dashwood women to leave the grand house where they have lived all their lives and move to an unfamiliar country village.

Set in an era when marriage was both the culmination of love and the only means of economic survival, the film nevertheless explores the many complexities of human nature in ways that resonate deeply with modern audiences.

Reason versus emotion: What does love really mean?

The eldest daughter, Elinor (played by Daisy Edgar-Jones), is cautious and rational in all things. She keeps her emotions firmly in check to support her fallen family and rarely reveals her true feelings, even when she falls in love. Her younger sister, Marianne (played by Esmé Creed-Miles), on the other hand, is passionate and open about her emotions. To her, love is not something to calculate or suppress, but a fierce emotion to embrace wholeheartedly.

Director Georgia Oakley explained, “The two sisters represent two opposing forces that many women hold within themselves at the same time.” The film convincingly depicts how characters with very different temperaments are drawn intensely to certain people, and the painful journey they go through before recognizing the other person’s true feelings. It’s also an intriguing point of comparison with the personality tests (MBTI) popular today. The film’s dynamic echoes the way people in modern relationships feel an immediate affinity for those whose personality type seems compatible with their own, while taking a more guarded approach to those who are different.

Marianne falls instantly into what feels like a fated love with Willoughby (played by Frank Dillane), who is as free-spirited and open with his emotions as she is. But having similar temperaments does not guarantee that someone is sincere. In contrast, there is Colonel Brandon (played by Herbert Nordrum). Rather than rushing to put his feelings first, he quietly stays by her side, putting her well-being above his own desires.

Edward (played by George MacKay), who shares a bond with Elinor, also shows steadfast consideration and a strong sense of responsibility rather than making grand romantic gestures. But his excessive caution can unintentionally hurt the person he cares for. The romance that unfolds among these characters is not built on passion alone. A deep sense of responsibility to keep one’s promises, respect for the other person, and the grace to temper one’s own feelings come together to make it a mature ‘adult love.’

Painterly visuals captured on 35mm film and the elegance of a period drama

The graceful mise-en-scène characteristic of classic British period dramas is another of ‘Sense and Sensibility’s’ highlights. Endless meadows, stately old houses, meticulously researched costumes and lavish ballroom sequences vividly summon the atmosphere of 19th-century England. Audiences who became familiar with the social customs and marriage traditions of the period through Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’ series and other productions may find themselves drawn in even more deeply.

To maximize realism, the production team filmed on location at historic sites and amid the natural landscapes of Britain. The lavish estate where the Dashwood family lived was filmed at an actual 17th-century building in Dorset, England, while the modest country cottage to which the four women are forced to move was created by carefully renovating an old stone building in Dartmoor, Devon.

Director Georgia Oakley made bold use of 35mm film cameras and vintage lenses to create soft, textured visuals reminiscent of a painting. By avoiding artificial lighting and capturing subtle movements in nature, from flowers and grass stirred by the wind to other delicate details, she brings the characters’ tumultuous inner lives vividly to the screen.

The film was officially invited to the World Cinema section of this year’s 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), where it received an enthusiastic response from Korean audiences. It opens in theaters on the 28th, runs 133 minutes and is rated for ages 12 and up.