DIRECTOR
Georgia Oakley
Blue Jean

STARS
Daisy Edgar-Jones, Esmé Creed-Miles, Caitríona Balfe, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Stacy Martin, Tom Brook, Fiona Shaw, George MacKay, Herbert Nordrum and Frank Dillane.

This new take on an old classic feels as though it has one heck of a steep climb to surmount in winning over the affections of viewers familiar with its tale.

This rendition of Jane Austen’s iconic 1811 novel is written by novice feature film writer Diana Reid, directed by second-time feature film director Georgia Oakley and does not have the star power to match the likes of Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant in the supreme and first-ever feature film screen adaptation of Sense and Sensibility in 1995.

If we rewind by three decades, however, both Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant had only recently became stars (courtesy of 1992s Howards End and 1994s Four Weddings and a Funeral, respectively) and Sense and Sensibility was one of two films (the other Heavenly Creatures in 1994) that placed Kate Winslet on people’s radars before her true star-making turn a few years later in the epic Titanic. Furthermore, (now) Oscar-winning director Ang Lee had only directed three previous films to Sense and Sensibility, and this was also lead actress Emma Thompson’s first-ever outing as feature film writer!

While the ostensible lack of star power is apparent on paper and noticeable earlier into proceedings in this modernised retelling of the classic story, the fact is 1995s Sense and Sensibility was also headlined by newer and upcoming talents, which ended up earning it seven Oscar nominations including one win for best writing by Emma Thompson, and may result in recent history repeating judging by how expert and assured 2026s Sense and Sensibility has been handled and performed!

For those who might be new to Sense and Sensibility, the story revolves over the Dashwood family; the mother, Mrs. Dashwood (played by Caitríona Balfe) and her three daughters, Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones), Marianne (Esmé Creed-Miles) and Margaret (Bodhi Rae Breathnach). It is not a spoiler to reveal Mr Dashwood is not only no longer with us when the film commences but his estate has been bequeathed to his son from his first marriage, John Dashwood (Tom Brook) and his wife, Fanny (Stacy Martin). Forced to find somewhere else to live and at risk of facing poverty, the Dashwood’s relocate to a Devonshire cottage with the help of a kind-hearted distant relative, Mrs. Jennings (Fiona Shaw), who is also a gateway for potential suitors for the Dashwood daughters.

A slow and somewhat dull beginning is effortlessly overcome and becomes nothing but a distant memory by the utterly fulfilling finish.

Once the film has its foundations sorted, it genuinely and noticeably lifts in spirit courtesy of the consistent application of humour throughout the entire screenplay and its elevating performances. Though her joyous and infectious laughter and personality might be a bit cloying for some, the scene-stealing character of Mrs. Jennings is a delight to watch with Fiona Shaw playing her like an Irish Mrs. Doubtfire. The dialogue exchanges between characters begin to reveal some juicy, albeit PG-rated gossip for the remainder of the duration and adds to the fun and frivolity of proceedings. By the time the film arrives to the part where the young ladies’ male matchmaking is set-up, Sense and Sensibility possesses plenty of earnestness and charm in characterisation and story it needs to sweep audiences away as its romantic and dramatic stakes rise to the fore. This modern retelling also boasts astute direction by Georgia Oakley, lovely cinematography, a thoughtfully arranged and affecting score and engaging writing to go with its many wonderful acting performances, which includes rising star Daisy Edgar-Jones’ best work yet and a star-making showing from Esmé Creed-Miles.

By the end, Sense and Sensibility delivers everything one would want and come to expect from a British period drama.

Sense and Sensibility is showing in cinemas across Australia from October 15th, 2026.

Moviedoc thanks Universal Pictures for the invitation to the screening of this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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