Elinor and Marianne.

Today I finally got to see the 2008 BBC adaptation of Sense and Sensibility...I loved it. Maybe even more than the ever-popular 1995 version? :)

The casting was perfect. I realized today that I'm familiar with so many more British actors and actresses than I am American ones (living ones, I mean. I'm not talking about classic film stars). That's because most of the "modern" films I watch are British period dramas. :) And I love seeing familiar faces and trying to remember where I've seen them before! IMDB is very helpful when I get stuck.

First of all, I ♥ Elinor and Edward. I know I've mentioned this before, but Elinor is probably the Austen character that I relate the most to. And I adore Dan Stevens as Edward Ferrars! He is such an improvement over the awkward Hugh Grant. The only other thing I had ever seen Dan Stevens in was Downton Abbey, and let me say that he looks much more handsome with darker hair. :) This Elinor's voice sometimes reminded me of Emma Thompson. I do love Emma Thompson as Elinor, but I liked Hattie Morahan, too (and according to IMDB, she's engaged to Blake Ritson, also known as Mr. Elton in 2009 Emma and Edmund in the newer Mansfield Park...interesting connection!).

I also loved the casting of Marianne and Colonel Brandon. And Willoughby was a scoundrel, like he should be (I know that a lot of people feel some pity/affection for Willoughby, but I've never really liked him).

And I loved the youngest Dashwood sister, Margaret. It was probably a tie with how she was portrayed in the 1995 version. I knew that this young girl looked familiar...I was trying to put her in the live action Peter Pan movie. But the names didn't match up. Then I realized she's the "young Beatrix" in Miss Potter.

The Steeles cracked me up. Especially the sister (not Lucy...is her sister's name Anne? I forget)- her voice and all her talk of beaus was hilarious. :) Also, I just realized that the familiar Robert Ferrars was Hamish from Alice in Wonderland.

Oh, and I almost forgot! Mr. Weasley!!

Besides all of the wonderful casting, I loved the rest of it as well. The scenery was gorgeous, the music was nice, and the pacing worked out well. It started off a little iffy- sort of scandalous for a Jane Austen film, but thankfully that was all of that.

So...which movie version of Sense and Sensibility do you prefer? Do you relate more to Elinor or Marianne? Do you crush on Edward or Colonel Brandon or even...*gasp* Willoughby?

Until next time,