A quick appearance by Tim Wilkinson lets us know that, because of how things are passed down, the second "Mrs. Dashwood" (Gemma Jones) and her daughters will depend on his son after he’s gone. That man (James Fleet) turns out to be a decent sort, but his wife “Fanny” (Harriet Walter), who seems more interested in money, thinks they can manage with only an annual payment of £500. With daughters "Elinor" (Emma Thompson), "Marianne" (Kate Winslet) and "Margaret" (Emilie François) to support, that will be difficult. Fortunately, a widowed distant relative “Sir John” (Robert Hardy) and his energetic mother-in-law (Elizabeth Spriggs) ask them to stay in a comfortable cottage on their property. That’s where the family makes their home, and each of the girls gradually finds herself caught up in romantic situations. For "Elinor," it's the attractive but reserved “Ferrars” (Hugh Grant) who captures her interest. Speaking of attractive men, there’s also “Col. Brandon” (Alan Rickman), who is interested in young "Marianne"—but she’s torn between him and the handsome doctor “Willoughby” (Greg Wise). Meanwhile, while all this flirting and maneuvering goes on, the younger "Margaret" has a crush on “Ferrars” as well! I generally think Jane Austen stories tend to unfold in a familiar way, but the mix of personalities here is enhanced by some genuinely clever lines and beautiful scenery that come together nicely. There’s an easygoing sense of charm, awkwardness, and insensitivity too, as the writer criticizes many aspects of life for and among the wealthy landowners and their middle-class connections. The main actors all do a good job, but it's perhaps the fun interaction between Hardy and Spriggs that brings the most laughs for me. The costume designers and production team have created a stylish looking film, and this adaptation is a real success considering the time when people tended to use as many words as possible.

Source on TMDB