3 Favorite Scenes from Sense & Sensibility 1995
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Sense & Sensibility 1995
Runtime- 2hr 16min
Air date- January 26, 1996
Director- Ang Lee
Writers- Emma Thompson
Filming locations- England, UK
Where to watch- stream on Pluto TV or rent/buy on Amazon Prime Video
Starring Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood and Kate Winslet as Marianne Dashwood
A Favorite Movie
From the first time I saw this film, I loved it completely. An all-star cast and a carefully crafted story from Jane Austen’s novel. It was beautifully done. Since I do not have any real criticism of the film, all I can speak for it is only high regard. I decided that giving a biased review would be way too biased and instead list my top three favorite scenes from the movie.
Here are the three favorite scenes that I love so much!
Spoiler: this post contains some movie spoilers if you have not seen it already!
1. Marianne’s Fall
This scene, where Marianne falls down a hill, and hurts her ankle, all while it rains, is as dramatic and disgustingly romantic as it gets. It is such a passionate start to a whirl-wind romance, that this is usually something I laugh at, roll my eyes at, and even scoff. But I love it. This cinematic portrayal of this scene is incredible. I do not mean just the part during the rain, I mean the day after as well.
The mysterious and dashing man riding a white/grey horse appears out of nowhere. The attention he gives Marianne and concern for her injury. Then he effortlessly carries her up the hill and back to the cottage. The next day when he visits her, he just so happens to have a pocket-size booklet of Marianne’s favorite sonnets that he brings everywhere. This sunshine and rainbows of a fantasy was done well, and perhaps my favorite romantic scene I have ever witnessed.
2. Edward meets Elinor (and Lucy) in London
I love this scene for the absolute awkwardness it creates. If Edward wasn’t a respectable man, then this scene would probably be a lot better.
Before heading to London, Lucy had confided in Elinor that she and Edward had been secretly engaged for a couple of years. Heartbroken, yet stoic, Elinor deals with the pain alone and silently as Lucy does not stop talking about the engagement with her.
Now the scene when Edward calls on Elinor, he enters the room and immediately puts all the attention on her. Lucy who has gone unnoticed by him, and Elinor very uncomfortable and nervous of Edward’s ignorance, attempts to “save” Edward from possibly saying something wrong by mentioning Lucy’s presence. A very awkward situation has now been made known by everyone in the room.
I just love the comedic and uncomfortable situation. It is very different from the previous scene mentioned, and I love both of them for different reasons.
3. Edward Returns
All the drama settles. The Dashwood sisters return home, still heartbroken, but accepting their fates. Elinor still feels the sting when Thomas mentions to the Dashwood women that he bumped into Lucy Steele and that she is now a married woman named Mrs. Ferrars.
To their surprise, they later encounter a guest at their cottage, and it is Edward. He came alone, and they inquired about his life and his new wife. Edward, first in confusion, then clarifies that he is not married to Lucy Steele, but his younger brother is.
This creates an explosion of emotion for Elinor, and her mother and sisters immediately leave the room. Edward then proposes to Elinor and she is incredibly happy and accepts.
I love a happy and just ending for Elinor. Marianne gets her too. But for Elinor to maintain and hold on to her sense, despite how difficult it is, she does get to have her sensibility. The change in contrast for the character I find romantic, and a beautiful way to wrap up the film.
Other Sense and Sensibility period adaptations:
BBC’s Sense and Sensibility 1971
BBC’s Sense and Sensibility 1981
Hallmark’s Sense and Sensibility 2024
BBC’s Sense and Sensibility 2008
Want more Sense and Sensibility? Check out my thoughts on Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility
Let me know what you all think, and share your favorite scenes from this movie in the comments below!
