Adaptation - (1995)
_ I feel that the 1995 version of Sense and Sensibility was a good adaptation of Jane Austen’s Book, because I felt that it followed the book for the most part. The material that was portrayed in the movie was closely related to what was portrayed in Austen’s novel, although there were some noticeable changes. For instance, in the novel, Elinor was 19 at the beginning of the novel and Marianne was 16, but in the movie they are both portrayed in what seems to be in their twenties the entire movie. I found this to be offensive, only because the novel makes such a big deal about the age difference between Marianne and Colonel Brandon, but in the movie their age difference is not as evident. Another thing that I found a little off was the Barton cottage. In the novel the cottage seemed small, and it is obvious that there is a difference from their father’s big house in Norland. But in the movie the cottage that is portrayed doesn’t really seem like it’s that small; it just doesn’t portray the same difficulties that the Dashwood’s faced in the novels. Another minor change was the role of Margret, the youngest Dashwood sister. I felt that she had a bigger role in the movie compared to the book, which didn’t necessarily need to be included, but doesn’t take away from the movie either.
I felt that adaptations that were made may have had to do with the budget for the movie. They may not have had enough time to show the progression of Elinor and Marianne maturing and therefore didn’t find it necessary to portray younger versions of the two in the beginning of the movie, or they may not have had enough money to hire more actresses. The Barton cottage may have seemed bigger compared to the book’s description because of the location in which they were filming. It could have been that the cottage that was portrayed in the movie was the smallest house they could find that would fit the description.
I really enjoyed Emma Thompson’s portrayal of Elinor, aside from the age difference. I felt she stayed true to Elinor’s character. Personally I didn’t like Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Colonel Brandon, because I just couldn’t block out that he is also Professor Snape in the Harry Potter movies. All in all I thought that the movie was a close adaptation to the novel.
To know more about the historical background of Jane Austen’s world, check the section Background Information in our website.
I felt that adaptations that were made may have had to do with the budget for the movie. They may not have had enough time to show the progression of Elinor and Marianne maturing and therefore didn’t find it necessary to portray younger versions of the two in the beginning of the movie, or they may not have had enough money to hire more actresses. The Barton cottage may have seemed bigger compared to the book’s description because of the location in which they were filming. It could have been that the cottage that was portrayed in the movie was the smallest house they could find that would fit the description.
I really enjoyed Emma Thompson’s portrayal of Elinor, aside from the age difference. I felt she stayed true to Elinor’s character. Personally I didn’t like Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Colonel Brandon, because I just couldn’t block out that he is also Professor Snape in the Harry Potter movies. All in all I thought that the movie was a close adaptation to the novel.
To know more about the historical background of Jane Austen’s world, check the section Background Information in our website.
Modernization - From Prada to Nada (2011)
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From Prada to Nada
is a modernization of the Jane Austen classic Sense and Sensibility directed by Angel Gracia. This movie presents
an interesting twist on Sense and Sensibility by taking place in modern day
East Los Angeles. What makes this movie so much different from a more
traditional adaptation of Sense and
Sensibility is the movies focus on the Latin American culture.
The movie centers around Nora and Mary Dominguez, who were from a very affluent area of Beverly Hills, after the death of their father they go to live with their Aunt Aurelia in East Los Angeles. While this movie is very different from the original it still remains close to the original premises of the book. In this movie there was a strong emphasis placed on the idea of class and social status. Mary and Nora begin their lives living in extreme wealth and are abruptly forced into living in relative poverty.
Throughout the movie you see the two sisters struggling to come to terms with the new class status and struggling to make a place for them within the Latin American community. While it was interesting to see a Jane Austen portrayed with a Latin twist I did not care for this adaptation. Even though the movie was well casted and the filmmakers worked hard to accurately portray Latin American culture the movie still seemed to lack the charm that seems to come with Jane Austen’s work. While I would recommend this movie to viewers I would suggest that they take the movie for what it is and not look for too much of the Jane Austen flair.
To know more about the historical background of Jane Austen’s world, check the section Background Information in our website.
The movie centers around Nora and Mary Dominguez, who were from a very affluent area of Beverly Hills, after the death of their father they go to live with their Aunt Aurelia in East Los Angeles. While this movie is very different from the original it still remains close to the original premises of the book. In this movie there was a strong emphasis placed on the idea of class and social status. Mary and Nora begin their lives living in extreme wealth and are abruptly forced into living in relative poverty.
Throughout the movie you see the two sisters struggling to come to terms with the new class status and struggling to make a place for them within the Latin American community. While it was interesting to see a Jane Austen portrayed with a Latin twist I did not care for this adaptation. Even though the movie was well casted and the filmmakers worked hard to accurately portray Latin American culture the movie still seemed to lack the charm that seems to come with Jane Austen’s work. While I would recommend this movie to viewers I would suggest that they take the movie for what it is and not look for too much of the Jane Austen flair.
To know more about the historical background of Jane Austen’s world, check the section Background Information in our website.