Overview
A tale of love and loss set against the backdrop of societal expectations and class struggles.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- romantic
- romantic evening
- period drama night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised this deft, funny, emotionally clear Jane Austen adaptation for Ang Lee’s direction, Emma Thompson’s performance, and its highly skilled ensemble.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Mr. Dashwood’s death leaves Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters financially vulnerable, making marriageability central to both sisters’ futures.
The film balances Jane Austen’s acute observations of gentry society with comic dialogue and matchmaking scenes.
Ang Lee’s direction presents countryside homes, London society, servants, and constrained domestic life with understated historical texture.
Elinor’s practical restraint and Marianne’s romantic openness drive two intertwined relationships with Edward Ferrars, Colonel Brandon, and John Willoughby.
Films like Sense and Sensibility, and why
Pride & Prejudice
shared literary period romance, social-class scrutiny, witty dialogue, and marriage-market themes
The Remains of the Day
shared British costume-drama setting, restrained romantic tension, social observation, and emotional repression
Emma.
shared Jane Austen adaptation, romantic misunderstandings, inheritance pressures, and ironic social comedy
Little Women
shared 19th-century romance, family obligation, elegant period design, and emotionally restrained courtship
Movie Details
- Director
- Ang Lee
- Release Date
- 1995-12-13
- Runtime
- 136 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (1898)
Cast
- Emma Thompson
- Kate Winslet
- Alan Rickman
- Hugh Grant
- Gemma Jones
- Greg Wise
- Elizabeth Spriggs
- Imogen Stubbs
- Harriet Walter
- James Fleet
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Sense and Sensibility about?
- Two Dashwood sisters navigate inheritance, social expectation, and painful courtships while balancing emotional restraint against romantic fervor.
- What is Sense and Sensibility like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Sense and Sensibility as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Sense and Sensibility violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Sense and Sensibility.
- What did critics think of Sense and Sensibility?
- Critics broadly praised this deft, funny, emotionally clear Jane Austen adaptation for Ang Lee’s direction, Emma Thompson’s performance, and its highly skilled ensemble.
- Which films are like Sense and Sensibility?
- Films with a similar feel include Pride & Prejudice, The Remains of the Day, Emma., and Little Women.
- How long is Sense and Sensibility?
- Sense and Sensibility runs 136 minutes.
- Where can I watch Sense and Sensibility?
- In United States, Sense and Sensibility is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex.
