As Seen on TV: Sense & Sensibility (BBC)

Sense and Sensibility is a timeless story, and I'm going to assume you all are a bit familiar with it.  In basic terms is the story of the Dashwood sisters -Elinor, Marianne and Margaret - and their mother, who are forced to make several adjustments once their father dies leaving them practically penniless. 

Elinor, the oldest sister, is the one who's trying to keep everything together. She's the one who's trying to find them a new place to live. She's a bit distracted a the beginning when her sister in law's brother shows up. Edward is charming and kind with her, something few people are since she's the 'sensible' one and, at 19, most people think whatever beauty she had is starting to fade.

Marianne, the middle sister, is all wild dreams and emotions always running high. She's the Sensitive one of the title, the one everyone thinks is the prettiest. Once they are forced to move, Marianne attracts the attention of two men. The first one, Colonel Brandon, an older man how has both position and money - and he's also a gentleman in every sense of the world. And the second, Willoughby, a younger man who fulfills all her romantic notions but who might or might not be the answer to her prayers. 

Okay, so in case you haven't seen it I won't tell you exactly how it ends, I'll just say it's one of my favorite endings ever. And I truly loved this BBC adaptation of the novel by Jane Austen. It's a beautifully made, three part mini-series, with great production values. I particularly loved the cast, mostly because all the actors are closer to the age they should be according to the novel, unlike the Emma Thompson version.

Of course, I will always prefer Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon (because his voice does things to my lady parts, I have to admit), but David Morrissey was adequate in the role in this adaptation. And so was Dominic Cooper, even if I do find Greg Wise more attractive. Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield are great as Elinor and Marianne; and Dan Stevens plays a drool-worthy Edward Ferrars (I swear to Gosh I was having heart palpitations during this scene where he's chopping wood and.. you better go watch it!) 

I highly recommend this version!