Emma Thompson recently shared her reflections on writing the screenplay for the 1995 adaptation of “Sense and Sensibility” during a conversation on the BBC Bookclub podcast. Despite the film achieving classic status and earning her an Academy Award for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay), Thompson revealed she battled self-doubt throughout the writing process.
When prompted by a fan about whether she felt she was arguing with Jane Austen over the screenplay’s interpretation, Thompson admitted, “I did a lot of apologizing.” She expressed concern that her adaptation felt like mere plagiarism, saying, “I thought, ‘God this is just plagiarism, plain and simple. I’m just taking something and making it into something else.’”
Thompson described her initial feelings of apprehension, stating, “You know, I felt quite diffident about it. I really did.” Looking back, she expressed surprise at what she accomplished, noting, “I read it now and I think, ‘I don’t know how I did that, actually,’” recognizing that much of the dialogue came from her own creativity rather than from Austen’s original text.
The adaptations made in the film were not without criticism, as Thompson recalled receiving pushback from the Jane Austen Society in America, who were notably displeased with various alterations from the literary source. Despite these challenges, Thompson’s successful adaptation solidified her unique place in cinematic history, as she remains the only individual to have won Oscars in both acting and screenplay categories. She previously earned the Best Actress Oscar for her role in “Howard’s End” in 1992.
Thompson’s candid reflections remind us that even those who achieve great success often grapple with doubt and the challenge of living up to beloved literary classics. Her journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring writers and filmmakers, demonstrating that creativity can flourish even in the face of uncertainty.