Movie Description
BECOMING JANE is based on an incident in the life of the beloved writer Jane Austen, and follows the real-life romance that inspired her classic novels. Like many of her heroines, Jane (Anne Hathaway, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA) is bright, strong-willed, and unwilling to marry merely for money, even though her family is struggling financially. Though many of her friends wish her to pair up with the nephew of a rich woman (Maggie Smith, HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX), Jane wants something more. When she meets the Irish rogue Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy, THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND), she initially can't stand him, but their romance blooms, serving as the inspiration for PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.
Director Julian Jarrold (KINKY BOOTS) is no stranger to literary fare. Though BECOMING JANE is only his second feature film, he directed several productions for British television, including GREAT EXPECTATIONS, CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, and WHITE TEETH. At times, BECOMING JANE feels exactly as it should: a long-lost Austen novel that's just been rediscovered. The themes and characters here seem familiar, as they've appeared in Austen's work many times. There's the devoted father, difficult mother, loving sister, and, of course, the charming young man with whom the protagonist initially clashes but later falls for. As Tom, McAvoy proves he deserves the attention he received for roles in THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND and STARTER FOR TEN. He's the perfect choice for a romantic lead in an Austen film, taking his place next to Matthew McFadyen in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and Hugh Grant in SENSE AND SENSIBILITY. As Austen, Hathaway exudes intelligence and energy, playing exactly the sort of woman who appeared in the writer's work. For those who can't wait for the next adaptation of Austen's work to arrive, BECOMING JANE is an engaging look at the writer's life and love.
| Credits | | Producer: | Douglas Rae, Graham Broadbent, Robert Bernstein | | Cast: | Anne Hathaway, Helen McCrory, James Cromwell, James McAvoy, Julie Walters, Maggie Smith |
Editorial Reviews
"BECOMING JANE has a burnished feminine sadness, and the director, Julian Jarrold, gives it a creamy-dark visual flow....Hathaway makes you feel her lust for words..." -- Grade: B
Entertainment Weekly - Owen Gleiberman (08/10/2007)
3.5 out of 4 -- "Hathaway is terrific as Austen....She delivers the sparkling dialogue, by screenwriter Kevin Hood, with just the right nuance and verve."
USA Today - Claudia Puig (08/03/2007)
"BECOMING JANE is a triumph for Anne Hathaway....She and Mr. McAvoy inject a keen intelligence into the couple's verbal jousts, along with romantic chemistry."
New York Times - Stephen Holden (08/03/2007)
3 stars out of 5 -- "With Home Counties accent firmly in place, Anne Hathaway makes a feisty Jane Austen..."
Total Film - Ceri Thomas (10/01/2007)
3 stars out of 5 -- "It's notable for some lovely country scenery, directorial lightness of touch and a stellar supporting cast..."
Ultimate DVD - Jason Caro (10/01/2007)
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