"Stylish BBC period drama"
Another BBC costume drama, and a Jane Austen one to boot, but this time with the not so distant memory of the 1995 highly regarded Ang Lee / Emma Thompson adaptation. Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret are the daughters of Mr. Dashwood by his second wife. They have an older half-brother, John, who inherits the family estate when their father dies. The Dashwood women are out on their ear to a country cottage while John Dashwood and his wife take possession of the house and estate. Fortunately, a distant relative offers to rent the women a cottage on his property. The story centres on Elinor and Marianne’s romantic hopes and entanglements and how each woman’s character equips her to meet the challenges along the way.
The production values are excellent and the acting is top notch, I just haven’t warmed to it as much as I have to other similar adaptations. It could be the Marianne character, even in the book I found her impulsive romanticism (sensibility) irritating. (Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion have always been my favourite Austen books, I think I’ve read Sense and Sensibility only once).
In this television version the sisters are portrayed as physical, as well as temperamental, contrasts. Hattie Morahan, as Elinor, is clear-eyed and pale-skinned, her hair sleek and easily managed; Charity Wakefield, Marianne, has the sallow skin, sensuous features, and unruly curls of a more impulsive nature.
The always watchable Janet McTeer puts in a solid performance as Mrs Dashwood and Claire Skinner relishes her role as the vain, mean spirited wife of John Dashwood.
The neighbouring Middleton family, headed by Sir John Middleton (Mark Williams), provide light relief. Sir John and his mother-in-law are warm, well-meaning people who’d like to see the Dashwood girls happily married off, but they’re embarrassingly indiscreet in their comments and observations.
Episode 3 of 3 will be on BBC1 this Sunday, 13th Jan. Will the shy honourable Edward declare his love for Elinor? Will Marianne find happiness with the caddish Willoughby or will Colonel Brandon’s steadfastness and integrity win her over? Tune in next time.
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