A new film adaptation of Jane Austen’s first novel, *Sense and Sensibility*, has been released, directed by Georgia Oakley and starring Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elinor Dashwood and Esmé Creed-Miles as her sister Marianne. The story follows the two sisters as they navigate love, loss, and social pressures after being forced to leave their family estate following their father’s death. Set in late 18th-century Devonshire, the film explores the contrasting personalities of Elinor, the embodiment of reason and restraint, and Marianne, who represents romantic impulsiveness and passion.

Daisy Edgar-Jones, known for her previous role in *Normal People*, describes the screenplay by Diana Reid as a joyful and richly textured adaptation that balances Austen’s characteristic heartbreak with humor. Edgar-Jones highlights that the film brings out previously unexplored facets of Elinor’s character, demonstrating her underlying sensibility beneath the traditionally “sensible” exterior. She also emphasizes the connection between Elinor and Edward Ferrars, played by George MacKay, noting their shared wit and strong moral sensibility that complicate their romance.

Esmé Creed-Miles, cast after her work in Kristen Stewart’s *The Chronology of Water*, portrays Marianne as an intense and immediate character drawn to the adventurous and enigmatic John Willoughby, played by Frank Dillane. Creed-Miles depicts Marianne as living partly in a romanticized world of fairy tales and poetic idealism, making her ardent attraction to Willoughby deeply felt and driving much of the story’s emotional core.

Director Georgia Oakley, whose debut film *Blue Jean* received critical acclaim, was attracted to the dynamic between the sisters, describing them as two opposing but intertwined forces within women. Oakley aimed to create a version of Austen’s world that felt authentic and relatable, steering away from typical period drama conventions. She incorporated earthy, tactile elements in the sets, costumes, and settings to evoke a lived-in 18th-century Devonshire, with a looser visual style that underscores the characters’ emotional complexities.

Critical reception has noted the film’s muted and understated tone in comparison to Ang Lee’s well-known 1995 adaptation, which featured a more polished and sparkling atmosphere. This latest interpretation takes some liberties, such as non-traditional choreography and a more wild, naturalistic depiction of Marianne, likened to a woodland sprite rather than a conventional Austen heroine. Critics have praised Esmé Creed-Miles’ fresh portrayal for its originality and vitality, while also highlighting George MacKay’s performance as Edward Ferrars, whose awkward earnestness stands out amid the ensemble.

The adaptation places particular emphasis on the intimate bond between Elinor and Marianne, sometimes at the expense of fully developed romantic leads. While some viewers may miss the charm of earlier versions, Oakley’s *Sense and Sensibility* offers a distinct, character-driven retelling that invites audiences to reconsider familiar themes through a contemporary lens. The film is currently showing in cinemas.