--- title: "Sense and Sensibility" year: 1995 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/sense-and-sensibility" fi1m_id: "sense-and-sensibility" imdb_id: "tt0114388" tmdb_id: 4584 wikidata_id: "Q643263" fi1m_score: 85 critics_score: 84 critics_reviews: 7 published: "2026-09-13" updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:14.108277+00:00" region: "US" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Sense and Sensibility (1995) Directed by Ang Lee · 2h 16m · MPA PG · Drama, Romance ## Identity Sense and Sensibility - **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/sense-and-sensibility - **Type:** Film - **Fi1m ID:** sense-and-sensibility - **IMDb ID:** tt0114388 - **TMDB ID:** 4584 - **Wikidata ID:** Q643263 - **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114388/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/4584, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q643263 **Fi1m score: 85** · Critics 84 from 7 reviews *In a sentence:* Emma Thompson makes keeping a straight face look considerably harder than falling in love > Ang Lee’s Austen adaptation is funny, moving and worth an evening for Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet alone. The setting sometimes looks too comfortable for the characters’ difficulties, but the performances keep their feelings awkward and recognisable. ## Synopsis Elinor Dashwood (Emma Thompson) and Marianne Dashwood (Kate Winslet) are at the centre of Ang Lee’s adaptation of Ang Lee’s Austen’s novel about love, judgement and social expectations. Hugh Grant plays Edward Ferrars, Alan Rickman plays Colonel Christopher Brandon and Greg Wise plays John Willoughby. Gemma Jones appears as Mrs Dashwood, alongside Elizabeth Spriggs as Mrs Jennings and Imogen Stubbs as Lucy Steele. Thompson also writes the screenplay, as the characters try to make sense of their feelings while accounting for the expectations of those around them. ## Review Ang Lee treats good manners as something people have to work at, sometimes under considerable strain. His *Sense and Sensibility* is a warm, funny adaptation of Ang Lee’s Austen, and we recommend it despite a tendency to make its world a little too agreeable. Emma Thompson’s screenplay gives the comedy proper weight: how people speak to one another matters as much as what they want. The jokes matter because the characters have to deal with other people even when their feelings are private. Thompson’s Elinor Dashwood gives the film its most persuasive account of that difficulty. We were unexpectedly moved by her restraint, because keeping herself together seems to require effort even when the dialogue is funny. Thompson lets us appreciate good sense without suggesting that being sensible is much fun, and she is too alert a comic performer to let Elinor become merely admirable. There is warmth here, but also the understandable weariness of being expected to have a reasonable response. Kate Winslet’s Marianne Dashwood brings a welcome impatience to all that control. Her emotional directness can make Elinor seem guarded, but Winslet does not reduce Marianne to a lesson in the hazards of enthusiasm. Lee gives both performances room, and the difference between them helps the comedy without making either woman a joke. Hugh Grant’s Edward Ferrars and Alan Rickman’s Colonel Christopher Brandon are shrewd pieces of casting. Both actors make reserve interesting, though Rickman gives it more weight and Grant more comic discomfort. Michael Coulter’s cinematography makes the period setting look almost too agreeable, and Luciana Arrighi’s production design contributes to that impression. Both do accomplished work, but we sometimes feel less troubled by the characters’ difficulties than their performances suggest we should. A little less polish would help. Jenny Beavan and John Bright’s costumes fare better: the actors seem comfortable enough in them for the clothes to feel worn rather than presented for inspection. Tim Squyres’s editing feels especially assured in the ensemble comedy, allowing us to enjoy individual performances without losing the pace. At 136 minutes, the film is generous with its company, and we rarely felt hurried away from someone worth watching. Patrick Doyle’s music is less consistently discreet; we occasionally wanted it to trust the actors to make the feelings clear. It is a small reservation, though the extra encouragement contributes to that slight excess of comfort. The humour is what keeps this from becoming a dutiful literary adaptation. Thompson is willing to be broad, and Lee does not appear anxious to protect Austen from the indignity of being entertaining. Elizabeth Spriggs as Mrs Jennings and Hugh Laurie as Mr Palmer help give the comedy a welcome robustness. Their comedy is broader than Thompson’s, and the variation is welcome across a film of this length. Give it an evening when there is no need to hurry. We recommend paying as much attention to Thompson as to whoever happens to be speaking; she makes listening worth watching. There will be plenty of time afterwards to decide who ought to have said what. *Fi1m score 85, published 13 September 2026.* ## What the critics say The reviews are consistently positive, with praise centred on the ensemble, the comedy and Ang Lee’s handling of Austen’s social distinctions. Thompson and Winslet receive particular attention, while Thompson’s screenplay is admired for preserving the irony and giving the characters emotional depth. Most critics find the film lively rather than dutiful: its period setting leaves plenty of room for humour, and Lee’s attention to behaviour keeps the relationships engaging. The differences concern how much polish and contrivance the adaptation can bear. Radio Times praises Lee’s period realism, but RogerEbert.com finds the production idealised and the plotting contrived, judging it less satisfying than Persuasion. The Los Angeles Times also has reservations about the direction and the script’s tone, though casting and narrative pleasures outweigh them. The spread runs from warm approval to enthusiasm; even the more reserved reviews find considerable wit and charm in the performances. ## Straight answers **Is Sense and Sensibility worth watching?** *Sense and Sensibility* is worth watching for anyone who enjoys a warm, funny Austen adaptation, and we scored it 85. Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet keep the sisters' feelings awkward and recognisable, and the broader comedy from Elizabeth Spriggs and Hugh Laurie stops it becoming dutiful. Our reservation is that Michael Coulter's photography and Luciana Arrighi's design make the world look more comfortable than the characters' troubles warrant. **How long is Sense and Sensibility, and what is it rated?** *Sense and Sensibility* runs 2h 16m and is rated PG by the MPA in the US. It is a drama and romance film. **Where can I watch Sense and Sensibility in the US?** *Sense and Sensibility* is available to rent from Amazon Prime Video from $3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service. **How does Sense and Sensibility compare to The Age of Innocence?** *Sense and Sensibility* is the warmer and funnier of the two, while [*The Age of Innocence*](https://film.one/film/the-age-of-innocence) is the more painful. Both are set in societies where a polite conversation can do lasting damage, but Ang Lee lets his characters be entertaining, whereas Scorsese's romance of suppressed desire sometimes explains its manners more patiently than necessary. Choose Lee for an evening of company and Scorsese for something that stings. **Is Sense and Sensibility based on a true story or a book?** *Sense and Sensibility* is based on Jane Austen's novel of the same name, not on a true story. Emma Thompson's screenplay keeps the book's concern with love, judgement and social expectation, and gives the comedy proper weight rather than treating the source as too precious to be entertaining. You do not need to have read the novel first; the performances make the feelings clear on their own. **What should I watch after Sense and Sensibility?** After *Sense and Sensibility*, try [*The Age of Innocence*](https://film.one/film/the-age-of-innocence) (1993, Fi1m 86): Another society where a polite conversation can do lasting damage. Then [*Late Spring*](https://film.one/film/late-spring) (1949, Fi1m 92): For the family pressures that make private feelings difficult to admit; and [*The Lunchbox*](https://film.one/film/the-lunchbox) (2013, Fi1m 75): A quieter romance, equally attentive to what people cannot quite say. ### Reviews we read (9) - **Radio Times**, David Parkinson (5/5): Hiring Ang Lee was inspired; he brings refreshing period realism that lets Thompson's Oscar-winning script flourish. Winslet gives the standout performance in a strong ensemble. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-6ekz1n/sense-and-sensibility/) - **Variety**, Todd McCarthy (90/100, inferred): A witty and rollicking adaptation that is classy and entirely enjoyable; strong ensemble performances, handsome production and deft direction make it a treat bound for strong box office. [Read](https://variety.com/1995/film/reviews/austen-makes-bigscreen-sense-1200444233/) - **The New York Times**, Janet Maslin (85/100, inferred): The grandly entertaining film unites Jane Austen with director Ang Lee in a sparkling, colorful and contemporary comedy of manners that matches 'Clueless' for sheer fun. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/13/movies/film-review-in-mannerly-search-of-marriageable-men.html) - **The New Yorker**, Terrence Rafferty (80/100, inferred): A charming adaptation where common sense prevails over sensibility in an ideal rendering of Austen's down-to-earth manner; it is a gracious, unfailingly pleasant entertainment with strong performances, especially from Thompson and Winslet. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1995/12/18/fidelity-and-infidelity) - **Time Out**, GA (80/100, inferred): The film is most enjoyable and faithful to Austen's themes and ironic wit, with fine performances from Thompson and Winslet supporting the ensemble. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/sense-and-sensibility) - **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (75/100, inferred): The audience-friendly Hollywood version of Austen that creates much good feeling with its fail-safe close; excellent casting and plot delight overcome some issues with direction and script tone. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-12-13-ca-13370-story.html) - **RogerEbert.com**, Roger Ebert (3/4): The film is enjoyable and civilized but not as satisfying as the earlier Austen adaptation 'Persuasion'; it has wit and charm from the actors but suffers from contrivances and an idealized production. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/sense-and-sensibility-1995) - **Empire**, Deborah Brown: The critic praises Emma Thompson's adaptation and screenplay for its comedy and emotional depth, along with strong performances especially from Thompson, Alan Rickman and supporting cast. Ang Lee's direction is highlighted for its restrained, character-focused approach that avoids typical period drama clichés. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/sense-sensibility-review/) - **Sight and Sound**, Claire Monk: Lee's adaptation is the most enjoyable and least complacent of recent Austen films, owing as much to the director's eye for social codes as to Thompson's droll feminist script. It stands out for its broad, self-mocking satirical energy and subversive spirit. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/subversive-spirit-satirical-energy-sense-sensibility-reviewed-1996) ## Details - **Director:** Ang Lee - **Director:** Ang Lee - **Screenplay:** Emma Thompson - **Novel:** Jane Austen - **Cinematography:** Michael Coulter - **Editor:** Tim Squyres - **Music:** Patrick Doyle - **Production design:** Luciana Arrighi - **Costume design:** John Bright, Jenny Beavan - **Producer:** Lindsay Doran - **Cast:** Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood; Kate Winslet as Marianne Dashwood; Alan Rickman as Colonel Christopher Brandon; Hugh Grant as Edward Ferrars; Gemma Jones as Mrs. Dashwood; Greg Wise as John Willoughby; Elizabeth Spriggs as Mrs. Jennings; Imogen Stubbs as Lucy Steele - **Runtime:** 2h 16m - **Certificate (MPA):** PG - **Release (the US):** 13 December 1995 - **Genres:** Drama, Romance - **Also in:** [Best Picture winners](https://film.one/collections/oscar-best-picture.md) (Nominee, 1995); [BAFTA Best Film winners](https://film.one/collections/bafta-best-film.md) (Winner, 1995); [Golden Globe Best Drama winners](https://film.one/collections/golden-globe-drama.md) (Winner, 1995); [Golden Bear winners](https://film.one/collections/golden-bear.md) (Winner, 1996) - **Budget:** $16 million - **Box office:** $135 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5unqnd-CGz4 ## Where to watch in the US - Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, hd - Amazon Prime Video: buy $14.99, hd *Checked 2026-09-13.* Also available in: AR, AT, AU, AZ, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, ES, FI, FR, GB, HK, HR, ID, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, UA, US, VN. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## Awards - Academy Awards 1996: Best Actress (nominated); Best Cinematography (nominated); Best Costume Design (nominated); Best Original Dramatic Score (nominated); Best Picture (nominated); Best Supporting Actress (nominated); Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay (won) - Berlin International Film Festival 1996: Golden Bear (won) ## If you liked this - *The Age of Innocence* (1993), Fi1m 86: Another society where a polite conversation can do lasting damage. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-age-of-innocence.md) - *Late Spring* (1949), Fi1m 92: For the family pressures that make private feelings difficult to admit. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/late-spring.md) - *The Lunchbox* (2013), Fi1m 75: A quieter romance, equally attentive to what people cannot quite say. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-lunchbox.md) - *Love & Friendship* (2016): More of Austen’s social comedy, with considerably less concern for good behaviour. - *North & South* (2004), Fi1m 83: Courtship and class friction, with more room for the workaday world. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/tv/north-and-south.md) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/sense-and-sensibility