Sense And Sensibility

Synopsis: When Mr. Dashwood dies, he must leave the bulk of his estate to the son by his first marriage, which leaves his second wife and their three daughters (Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret) in straitened circumstances. They are taken in by a kindly cousin, but their lack of fortune affects the marriageability of both practical Elinor and romantic Marianne. When Elinor forms an attachment for the wealthy Edward Ferrars, his family disapproves and separates them. And though Mrs. Jennings tries to match the worthy (and rich) Colonel Brandon to her, Marianne finds the dashing and fiery John Willoughby more to her taste. Both relationships are sorely tried.
Genre: Drama, Romance
Director(s): Ang Lee
Production: Columbia Pictures
  Won 1 Oscar. Another 31 wins & 44 nominations.
 
IMDB:
7.7
Metacritic:
84
Rotten Tomatoes:
98%
PG
Year:
1995
136 min
3,386 Views


Your son is arrived from London.

- Father ...

- John ...

You will see in my will the estate

of Norland was left to me in a way -

- that prevents me from dividing it

between my two families.

Norland, in its entirety,

is therefore yours by law.

And I am happy for you and Fanny.

But your stepmother, my wife and

daughters are left only 500 a year.

Barely enough to live on.

Nothing for the girls' dowries.

- You must help them.

- Of course.

You must promise to do this.

I promise, Father.

I promise.

Help them? What do you mean?

I mean to give them 3,000. The

interest will be an extra income.

- The gift will fulfil my promise.

- Without question. More than amply.

One had rather. on such occasions.

do too much than too little.

Of course, he did not stipulate

a particular sum.

What do you say to 1,500, then?

What brother would be so kind to his

real sisters. Let alone half-blood?

- They can hardly expect more.

- What can you afford?

better than losing 1,500 at once.

Should she live longer than 15 years

we'd be completely taken in.

People live forever

when an annuity is to be paid them.

discharge my promise, you're right.

I'm convinced that your father

had no idea of giving them money.

- They will have 500 a year.

- What more could they want for?

No housekeeping, carriage, horses,

few servants, keeping no company ...

How comfortable!

They will be much more able

to give you something.

Marianne.

can you play something else?

Mamma has been weeping

since breakfast.

I meant something less mournful.

A visitor in my own home!

It is not to be borne. Elinor.

- Mamma, we have nowhere to go.

- John and Fanny will be here soon.

Do you expect me to be here

to welcome them? Vultures!

I will start making inquiries

for a new house at once.

Until then, we must try

to bear their coming.

Margaret, are you there? Come down,

John and Fanny will be here soon.

Why are they to live at Norland?

They have a house in London.

Houses go from father to son, not

father to daughter. It is the law.

- Come, we'll play with your atlas.

- It's not mine. it's their atlas.

Do sit down.

We are looking for a new home, and

can only retain Thomas and Betsy.

We're sorry

to have to leave you all.

But we are certain you will find the

new Mrs. Dashwood a fair mistress.

My only real concern is how long

it will take them to move out.

- How is Mrs. Ferrars?

- She is always in good health.

My brother is with her this season.

Quite the most popular bachelor.

He has his own barouche.

- You have two brothers?

- Yes. Edward is the elder.

He's travelling up from Plymouth

and will break his journey here.

- If that is agreeable to you.

- Dear John ...

This is your home now.

- Fanny wants the key to the silver.

- What does Fanny want with it?

One can presume she wants

to count it. What are you doing?

Gifts for the servants. Where is

Margaret? She's taken to hiding.

- At least she can escape Fanny.

- You've not said a word to her.

I have.

I've said yes and no.

Good morning, Fanny.

Good morning, Miss Marianne.

How did you find the silver?

Was it all genuine?

- When may we expect your brother?

- Edward is due tomorrow.

He will not stay long. Will Margaret

give up her room for him?

The view is incomparable, and I

want him to see Norland at its best.

Mrs. Dashwood.

Miss Dashwood. Miss Marianne.

My brother, Edward Ferrars.

Do sit down.

Where is Miss Margaret? I'm

beginning to doubt of her existence.

Forgive us, Mr. Ferrars. My youngest

is shy of strangers at present.

I am shy of strangers myself,

and I have nothing like her excuse.

How do you like your view,

Mr. Ferrars?

Very much. Your stables are handsome

and beautifully kept.

Stables?

Your windows overlook the lake.

An error led me to a family room,

but I've rectified the situation.

I am happily installed

in the guest quarters.

Tea!

They're all spoilt. Miss Margaret is

always up trees and under furniture.

I've barely had a civil word

from Marianne.

They've just lost their father.

Their lives will never be the same.

That is no excuse.

Library.

- These are mostly foreign.

- Indeed. Magnificent.

I've never liked the smell of books.

The dust, perhaps. I hear you have

great plans for the walnut grove.

I shall have it knocked down

to make place for a Grecian temple.

That does sound interesting.

Would you show me the site?

Too expensive, and we do not need

four bedrooms. We can share.

This one. then.

We have only 500 a year.

I'll send out more inquiries today.

Pardon my intrusion, but I think I

have found what you're looking for.

Won't you come out?

We haven't seen you all day.

We'll have to enlarge it. Mattocks

will help you adjust toyour hours.

Forgive me, do you by any chance

have a reliable atlas?

- I believe so.

- I must check the Nile's position.

My sister tells me

it is in South America.

No!

No, she's quite wrong.

I believe it is in Belgium.

Surely not.

You must be thinking of the Volga.

- The Volga, which starts in ...

- In Vladivostok. and ends in ...

- Wimbledon.

- Yes. where coffee beans come from.

The source of the Nile

is in Abyssinia.

Is it? Interesting.

- How do you do? Edward Ferrars.

- Margaret Dashwood.

It adjoins this property,

and would be a desirable addition.

- I'll ride there and speak to ...

- Gibson.

- He'll be pleased enough to sell.

- He'll want more than it is worth.

Have I hurt you?

Thank you.

Forgive me.

That was my father's favourite.

Thank you for helping Margaret.

She's changed since you came.

I enjoy her company.

- Has she shown you the tree house?

- Not yet.

Would you do me the honour,

Miss Dashwood?

- It is very fine out.

- With pleasure.

- Margaret always wanted to travel.

- I know. She's off to China soon.

I'm to go as her servant, on the

understanding I'll be badly treated.

- What will your duties be?

- Sword fighting and swabbing.

Which will take precedence?

All I have ever wanted

is the quiet of a private life.

But my mother is determined

to see me distinguished.

Orator. Politician. Even a barrister

would do. if I drove a barouche.

What do you wish for?

I prefer the church, but that is not

smart enough for my mother.

She prefers the army,

but that is too smart for me.

- Would you stay in London?

- I hate London.

Country living is my ideal. A small

parish where I might do some good.

Keep chickens ...

Give very short sermons.

You feel idle and useless.

Imagine how that is compounded -

- when one has no choice

of any occupation whatsoever.

Our circumstances are therefore

precisely the same.

Except that you will inherit

your fortune.

We cannot even earnyours.

Perhaps Margaret is right.

Piracy isyour only option.

What is swabbing exactly?

"No voice divine the storm allayed.

No light propitious shone."

'When snatched from all effectual

aid, we perished, each alone."

"But l, beneath a rougher sea, and

whelmed in deeper gulfs than he ..."

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Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson (born 15 April 1959) is a British actress, comedian, and writer. She is known for her portrayals of reticent women, often in period dramas and literary adaptations, and playing haughty or matronly characters with a sense of irony. She is considered one of Britain's most accomplished actresses. more…

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Submitted on August 05, 2018

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