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 for
Like 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
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Delightful.:
A delightful journey into the life of writer Jane Austen, whose character's lives in her books have happier endings than her own. Torn between giving up the man she loves so he may help his impoverished family and please his rich uncle, Jane clings to her passion for the written word to help heal her wounds in the real world. Choosing not to marry another rich suitor because she does not love him, Jane hopes to 'live by her pen'. Chrissy K. McVay - Author
Nice picture of Jane Austen's early years:
I love romance, so I enjoyed this movie very much. It was nice to discovered the kind of life that Jane Austen could had had and related with his books, it can explain a lot about her personality. And the performances of Anne Hathaway and James Mcavoy were great, they made a nice couple on the screen, they transmit the idea of real love through their rolls. Perfect for my teast.
Physocologically Fascinating!:
Anything written by Jane Austin is a classic to me starting with my all time favorite, Pride & Prejudice, the English version, which I own is outstanding with excellent acting by all in the cast. When I saw the new version with Keira Knightly, I was greatly disappointed, it was but a shell of the original showing only bits & Pieces, now, with Becoming Jane, I was able to see all of her life, and what she was about personally and how she was able to write such wonderful and caring novels,... more info
Ugh... why did I watch this??:
When I first heard about Becoming Jane, I was so excited to see it because I have always loved Jane Austen's stories. Well, I watched it on DVD with a friend, and was thoroughly disappointed!
The music is fine, the costumes are fine, the scenery is fine... but the acting! the dialogue was so boring, or too risque'. I didn't see how Jane would even have fallen for Tom Lefroy in the first place. He seemed a complete jerk. I could go on and on, but I won't bore you. I want those 120 minutes of my... more info
