The story revolves around the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, who face financial hardship and romantic tribulations after the death of their father, Henry Dashwood. The film explores themes of love, societal expectations, and the contrast between sense (Elinor’s pragmatic approach to life) and sensibility (Marianne’s emotional nature).
Elinor Dashwood (played by Emma Thompson) is the eldest and most sensible of the Dashwood sisters. She forms an attachment to Edward Ferrars (played by Hugh Grant), but their relationship is complicated by Edward’s engagement to another woman.
Marianne Dashwood (played by Kate Winslet) is the younger, more impulsive sister, guided by her emotions rather than rationality. She falls passionately in love with the dashing John Willoughby (played by Greg Wise), who initially returns her affections but later proves to be unreliable and unfaithful.
As the Dashwood sisters navigate their romantic entanglements, they are supported by their kind-hearted sister-in-law, Mrs. Dashwood (played by Gemma Jones), and befriended by the cheerful and good-natured Sir John Middleton (played by Robert Hardy) and his wife.
The film follows the sisters’ journey from their idyllic country estate, Norland Park, to the bustling social scene of London, where they encounter various suitors and face the challenges of courtship and heartbreak.
In the end, Elinor and Marianne both find happiness, but not without enduring trials and setbacks along the way. Elinor learns to express her emotions more openly, while Marianne matures and finds a deeper, more lasting love with Colonel Brandon (played by Alan Rickman), a man of quiet integrity who has loved her from afar.
“Sense and Sensibility” is celebrated for its faithful adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel, its lush cinematography, and its stellar performances, particularly from Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, and Hugh Grant. The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for numerous awards, including seven Academy Awards, with Emma Thompson winning the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.