Jane Austen’s famous novel has been adapted by Diana Reid, with Georgia Oakley on directorial duties. As always with these classic texts, the question is, do we need another version? That is especially applicable here because it is very hard to top Emma Thompson’s 1995 Oscar winner. But Oakley’s debut feature was the terrific Blue Jean a couple of years ago and a cast that includes Daisy Edgar-Jones, Esmé Creed-Miles, Caitríona Balfe, Frank Dillane, George MacKay, Stacy Martin and Fiona Shaw is more than promising.
That talent comes to the fore and this proves to be an excellent adaptation. You have to go into it accepting that it is of its time so you can stomach the Dashwood sisters, Elinor (Edgar-Jones) and Marianne (Creed-Miles) basing their entire future happiness on meeting the right man. Fortunately, Edgar-Jones in particular is very good and I enjoyed her close relationship with her sister and her chemistry with MacKay who plays Edward Ferrars.
The most eye catching performance though is by Shaw who dominates her scenes as the busybody with a heart, Mrs Jennings. I was also particularly impressed by Herbert Nordrum as the stoic and decent Colonel Brandon.
The script may not quite rank alongside Thompson’s but this is a handsome version with great performances and a lovely score by Roger Goula.
Rating: 8 out of 10