I’ve seen several Austen adaptations now, and I was surprised that this one actually disappointed me a little. The brilliant Kate Winslet was underused, as was the equally brilliant Alan Rickman. Emma Thompson was far too old at the time to be playing the young Elinor (I know she’s supposed to be a “spinster”, but still). I just didn’t see as much of the witty intelligence for which Austen’s heroines are known.

Following my current obsession with Jane Austen, I bought several of the movies adaptations. This one in particular I had heard many good things about (and it has of course won an Oscar and several other awards) so I was very keen on seeing it, although the DVD cover is so ugly it manages to make the beautiful Kate Winslet look like a witch.

The movie has not deceived me! I liked it very much. The story was good (well, it is Jane Austen), the characters fully-fleshed. The scenery was beautiful, the dialogue full of wit (and now I of course want to read the book).

The acting was also very good, but I just have a tiny little problem with the ages of the cast. I mean, of course Emma Thompson is brilliant (she’s one of my favorite actresses) but Elinor is supposed to be 19, and she was 36 while playing her. But I found it doesn’t show so much, it’s just that now I am used to see her playing older women (obviously) so I had a little trouble seeing her as a youngster first! The other problem that I have is that I find Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson make a very cute couple (as in LoveActually, for example) so I kept wanting Colonel Brandon to get with Elinor (and Edward suspected they would, too! hehe).

The bonus were good. I don’t listen to commentaries but I know that many people consider them a must. The deleted scenes were really interesting, and there’s a kiss!! :D

I like Alan Rickman :D