Sense and Sensibility

(U)

David Morrissey, Dominic Cooper, Dan Stevens, Mark Williams, Janet McTeer, Hattie Morahan, Lucy Boynton, Claire Skinner, Rosanna Lavelle, and Mark Gatiss lead an all-star cast in Andrew Davies' romantic and stylish three-part BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's classic Sense and Sensibility. Marianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve when she falls in love with the charming but unsuitable John Willoughby, ignoring her sister Elinor's warning that her impulsive behaviour leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Elinor, sensitive to social convention, struggles to conceal her own romantic disappointment, even from those closest to her. Will the sisters learn that sense must mix with sensibility if they are to find personal happiness in a society where status and money govern the rules of love?

This series is full of passion, drama and humour. All of the actors are great, and I especially like Hattie Morahan as Elinor. In a very convincing way she manages to portrait Elinor as a warm, intelligent woman with strong feelings underneath her restrained surface.