Sense and Sensibility
Metascore
84 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
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  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Mick LaSalle
    100
    It's an exuberant, well- crafted film that gets the audience involved on a gut level even before the opening credits are over.
  2. San Francisco Examiner
    Reviewed by: Barbara Shulgasser
    100
    Unlike so many other movies of literary provenance, it is clear from the start that this one is going to be entertainment, not homework. Lee serves up this sweetmeat without fuss, without the super-seriousness of filmmakers awed by their literary material.
  3. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Liam Lacey
    100
    Poised, delicate, powerful, hovering between poignancy and pealing laughter, it is a feast formed by skill and serendipity.
  4. Time
    Reviewed by: Richard Schickel
    100
    [It presents] us with a vast range of richly developed, gorgeously played characters ... and mov[es] them gracefully through time and a lot of very pretty spaces without ever losing its conviction, its concentration or our bedazzled attention. [18 Dec 1995]
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  5. Film.com
    Reviewed by: Bruce Reed
    90
    Funny, expansive, and a delight to spend company with.
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  6. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Elvis Mitchell
    90
    Grandly entertaining...matches the Austen-based "Clueless" for sheer run. [13 Dec 1995]
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  7. Newsweek
    Reviewed by: Jack Kroll
    90
    As writer and actress, Thompson has all the right Austen rhythms and filmmaker Ang Lee ("Eat Drink Man Woman") orchestrates with sensitivity and style.
  8. Variety
    Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    90
    Crucially for such an elaborately dressed production, the characters all come thoroughly alive with their ready wits and pulsing emotions, overcoming the two-century gap with seeming effortlessness.
  9. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Rita Kempley
    90
    This rapturous romance is not only laugh-out-loud funny but demonstrates how little humankind has evolved in matters of the heart.
  10. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    88
    Thompson clearly loves this story, and, even though, she's playing the less spontaneous of the older Dashwood sisters, responsible Elinor, you can feel her spirit rising out to embrace the part. It makes her beautiful to watch. [13 December 1995]
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  11. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    88
    Thompson has had the good sense and sensitivity to get Austen right, while letting Winslet steal the show.
  12. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    88
    A wonderful motion picture, even given the weaknesses of the source material.
  13. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    83
    Ang Lee's film of the Jane Austen novel slavishly follows the gospel according to Merchant Ivory, swooning over characters declaiming modestly while surrounded by topiary.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. ginam5
    10
    One of my favorite movies of all time. Great writing, perfect acting, just a gorgeous movie. It gets better every time you watch it. Col. Brandon is the epitome of chivalry, wisdom and romance. Who knew Severis Snape could be so romantic? (LOL)… Full Review »
  2. Binki
    8
    Really cool movie! Emma Thompson is incredible. Good adaptation of this masterpiece of Jane Austen. In my opinion, much better than Pride and Prejudice (Keira Knightley's version).… Full Review »
  3. JennaT.
    9
    This movie was well acted out. Some parts make you horribly mad and yelling at the TV like when Willoughby left but other than that it was good.
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