Lose your heart and come to your senses.

Starring: Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, Imogen Stubbs, Greg Wise, Gemma Jones, Harriet Walter, James Fleet

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Always resignation and acceptance. Always prudence and honour and duty. Elinor, where is your heart?" - Marianne Dashwood

Why watch this? Verdant English country sides, unrequited love, British stoicism... it's all wonderfully here.

Plot Summary: Upon the death of their father, the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, along with their mother, face a significant reduction in their fortune, forcing them to seek financial security, primarily through marriage. Elinor, the sensible and reserved sister, forms an attachment to Edward Ferrars whose family disapproves of the match. Meanwhile, Marianne, the passionate and impulsive sister, finds herself drawn to the dashing John Willoughby and also attracts the attention of the older Colonel Brandon.

Dad's Preview: This critically-acclaimed film, based on the Jane Austen novel of the same name, whose screenplay was penned by Emma Thompson, transports the audience smack-dab into the middle of 18th century England. I fully admit I am no expert on the dramas from that time period, but I can attest that there is a definite realness at play here. This may stem from director Ang Lee's deft hand, but it mostly comes from incredible performances by Thompson and Winslet. I was also delighted to see a young Alan Rickman among the cast.

Columbia Pictures, Mirage Enterprises; Sony Pictures Releasing