In January 2024, Hallmark débuted four Jane Austen-inspired movies, from modern rom-coms to straight-up, Regency adaptations. I finally got to watch Sense and Sensibility, and it was lovely!
Now, I adore Emma Thompson, so I cannot say that this surpassed her version, but for me it easily surpassed the most recent Persuasion (2022) or Emma (2020). I’m making plans to watch it with my kids, or at least my daughters, sometime soon.
It is delightfully diverse and charmingly scripted. It won’t hold surprises for Jane Austen fans, of course, but it’s very accessible for modern watchers. As I introduce my younger sister and my daughters to all things Jane Austen, I realize more and more that Regency movies are confusing. I can watch the BBC P&P and catch all the interplay, but often my (nearly adult) daughter won’t quite understand what moments were awkward or what social rules were broken. Hallmark’s S&S stayed true to Austen’s characters (I’m glaring at you, Persuasion), while also clarifying motivations and customs.
Now, Hallmark’s Sense and Sensibility was made on a smaller budget than recent theatrical releases, and in small ways, you can tell. However, it still showcases beautiful British estates, lush landscapes, and delicious Regency décor. Their costumes perhaps look a tiny bit shiny at times (veering more toward a polyester than silk, maybe?), but I greatly enjoyed the colorful palette the movie adopted.
And setting aside any costume quibbles, they wear their hair up! The women and the styles are beautiful. Maybe hair is irrelevant to you, but I get feisty seeing all these long, flowing locks (now I’m looking at you, Sanditon) when we all know Regency women wore their hair up in public.
Now, on to more important matters, Colonel Brandon is hot. Okay, that’s not the most important thing either, but the actor certainly won me over. He is one of my favorite characters, so it was important to me. I feel like Col. Brandon and Marianne can be the trickiest romance to show. Marianne is so young, and in the book it begins to summarize their relationship at the end, not giving us much time or dialogue to see their new dynamic. I need to see her come around, and I do, though it will probably never be as much as I want.
Edward is also adorable, as he must be, and he caused me happy squeals at the appropriate moments.
So, when you need to escape the heat this summer and watch a movie, I can happily recommend this one. Where is it available? I watched in on Amazon Prime (using my 1-week free trial for the Hallmark Channel). It can also be purchased on Amazon Prime, AppleTV, or it is available on Roku or SlingTV.
Happy summer to all!
Corrie Garrett
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