This film production by Emma Thompson is one of the best Jane Austen productions of the Nineties, although Emma Thompson herself was perhaps a little too old to be playing Elinor Dashwood.
The written humour of Jane Austen's novel is generally beautifully transferred to film, there are some aspects of this film that appear to be taken more from Jane Austen's letters than the novel (such as the first night in Barton Cottage scenes), but which fit in perfectly with the story.
Hugh Grant is terrible as usual, however, apart from this, the film is truly beautiful. Kate Winslet makes a wonderful Marianne Dashwood, and Robert Hardy plays, well, Robert Hardy yet again!
Fanny Dashwood's screaming fit is another triumph for over the top acting, and hence perfect.
The music makes an ideal background setting for the film, it is amazing to think that music is in fact modern. It is hard to believe that The Dream and Weep You No More Sad Fountains are modern pieces, and not parlour songs of the day.
The film is a visual treat, and not one to be missed.