Georgia Oakley’s Sense and Sensibility, which advertises itself as ‘a fresh take for a fresh generation’, has its work cut out. Not only is the Jane Austen novel beloved but there’s also the shadow of Emma Thompson’s sublimely deft 1995 version directed by Ang Lee (with its unforgettably magnificent ugly-cry scene). This one has no such grip on the book, and is considerably drearier and less affecting, but it’s not bad  bad. It’s not Carrie Cracknell’s Persuasion, after which we decided she should never be allowed near Austen again. On this occasion the ‘old take for the old generation’ cannot be surpassed – although well done, fresh generation, for having a go. Top marks. One doesn’t wish to be discouraging.

Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles play Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, the sisters who must endure heartbreak to discover the middle ground between sense (Elinor) and sensibility (Marianne). It opens as the novel opens with the sisters, and their mother (Caitriona Balfe), and younger........

© The Spectator