- Anne Hathaway (THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, THE PRINCESS DIARIES) gives a radiant performance as a young, love-struck Jane Austen in the witty and engaging romantic comedy BECOMING JANE from Miramax Films. It’s the untold romance that inspired the novels of one of the world’s most celebrated authors. When the dashing Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy, THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND), a reckless and penniless
Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada, The Princess Diaries) gives a radiant performance as a young, love-struck Jane Austen in the witty and engaging romantic comedy Becoming Jane from Miramax Films. It s the untold romance that inspired the novels of one of the world s most celebrated authors. When the dashing Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy, The Last King Of Scotland), a reckless and penniless lawyer-to-be, enters Jane s life, he offends the emerging writer s sense and sensibility. Soon their clashing egos set off sparks that ignite a passionate romance and fuel Jane s dream of doing the unthinkable marrying for love. Becoming Jane, also starring the acclaimed Maggie Smith, James Cromwell and Julie Walters, is an enchanting and imaginative film you ll fall head over heels forLike Molière, which was released in theaters around the same time, Becoming Jane isn’t a conventional biopic. Instead, Julian Jarrold (White Teeth) expands on events from Jane Austen’s life that may have shaped her fiction. To his credit, he doesn’t stray too far from the facts. In 1795, 20-year-old Jane (Anne Hathaway with believable British accent) is an aspiring author. Her parents (Julie Walters and James Cromwell) married for love, and money is tight. They hope to see their youngest daughter make a more lucrative match, and there’s a besotted local, Mr. Wisley (Laurence Fox, son of actor James Fox), who would be happy to oblige. Unfortunately, Jane isn’t interested. Then, she meets brash law student Tom (The Last King of Scotland’s James McAvoy), while he’s staying with relatives in rural Hampshire. As in many Austen novels, it isn’t love at first sight–but rather irritation. Just as affection begins to bloom, Tom has to return to London, and Wisley, whose financial prospects are superior, proposes. To complicate matters, Tom’s uncle (Ian Richardson in his final performance) disapproves of the outspoken young lady just as much as Wisley’s aunt (Maggie Smith, lending the proceedings some subtle humor). Had Austen penned the script, Tom and Wisley would be combined into one person, but life doesn’t work that way–and nor does Becoming Jane. Though Jarrold’s effort may not be as swoon-worthy as Joe Wright’s Pride and Prejudice, it remains true to the spirit of the author’s work. –Kathleen C. Fennessy
Buy “Becoming Jane” For Only $8.24
April 17, 2008
#1
It is as if the cameraman was jumping on a trampoline while he shot the film and the person in charge of costumes forgot to provide under garments. Need I really say more?
April 17, 2008
#2
I thought Becoming Jane was well acted,
and the photography was very interesting.
This is supposed to be the story of Jane
Austin becoming a writer based on made up
material. I gave it 2 stars.
April 17, 2008
#3
I am truely a big Jane Austen fan and of Anne Hathaway – which was the real reason I bought the DVD – maybe if it had different Director.
April 17, 2008
#4
This would have been a GREAT movie if they had done what we ALL wanted…if they had ended up together AND it wouldn’t have hurt if they had some hot, steamy sex! haha! I mean, gosh, I was just wishing they would with their chemistry’s thermostat as high as it was. Man, they were so in love, it sucked that they didn’t end up together. I know it was because of her selfless decision….but GEEZE…let the love of your life go because you want his family to have a better way of life? Geeze-BE POSITIVE and BELIEVE you will end up making great $$$ writing (like she ENDED UP DOING!) GEEZE! It sucked…that part did.
A good one to watch that DOES have the extras this was lacking…The Notebook!
April 17, 2008
#5
This was a well acted movie, but has some very unexceptable scenes.
The although, brief scene was very very unneccesary and ruined the film for me.