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All rights reserved.Becoming Jane (2008, DVD)
| 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.
Editorial Reviews Entertainment Weekly - Owen Gleiberman (08/10/2007) USA Today - Claudia Puig (08/03/2007) New York Times - Stephen Holden (08/03/2007) Total Film - Ceri Thomas (10/01/2007) Ultimate DVD - Jason Caro (10/01/2007) | Find errors in the product description? Submit a catalog update request now. | ||||||
Top Reviews  RENT ME FIRST!Review created: 02/10/08 by:  4 of 6 people found this review helpful. This is the premise of "Becoming Jane" and it looks particularly attractive on paper because it's also a vehicle for Anne Hathaway, a rising actress ("The Devil Wears Prada") who seems just right to embody the spirit of this most filmable of 19th-century women novelists. And the movie goes a certain distance on its ambition, star power and acerbic script -- it's an enjoyable period romance. Yet, ultimately, the unique magic of Austen so beautifully caught in 1996's "Emma" is missing. The story takes a real incident -- a flirtation with a roughish Irish lawyer (James McAvoy) that occurred when Austen was 20. The script then goes on to imagine that this was the star-crossed love affair of her life and the experience that made her into the author she would become. Along the way, it also tries to be a template for the distinct kind of witty, insightful, feminist-minded novels she would write -- particularly her masterpiece, "Pride and Prejudice," whose themes and characters it contains in embryonic form. The movie is eminently watchable: The production values are blue-chip, the script is often funny and cute, Hathaway is reasonably charming and the supporting cast -- especially Julie Waters (as her mother) and Maggie Smith (as the village grand dame) -- is strong. But the movie doesn't soar: The chemistry of the stars is rather weak and all optimism and spunk is lost in the final act (the opposite arc of a Jane Austen novel). At 120 minutes, the whole thing feels awfully drawn-out. In the end, it's always hard to make a memorable movie about a famous author, because what an author is and does is so internal. "Shakespeare in Love" certainly pulled it off. This movie doesn't. OVERALL 6/10 THIS IS A RENTAL AT BEST! Review ID: 10000000005583994 Was this review helpful? Report this review Reviews  excellent ebayerReview created: 08/28/08 by: I have been wanting to see this movie since it came out as I am a big Jane Austen fan. The ebay purchase with this seller was just the way ebay should be....great item, fast shipping..very smooth transaction. Thanks you! Review ID: 10000000008474173 Was this review helpful? Report this review  wouldn't recomindThe DVD was just a burned copy and it stopped playing about half way through. And it kept freezing before it stopped. I was rather disappointed in the product Review ID: 10000000008443015 Was this review helpful? Report this review  Fast delivery and product described accurately.I have no comment here. I find the item good so there's nothing that can change that viewpoint. I decided to purchase the item because I like the story, the cast, and the story it was loosely based on. I bought the item because the price I paid for is reasonable and seller seems honest. Review ID: 10000000008112783 Was this review helpful? Report this review Becoming JaneReview created: 07/15/08 by: I love Jane Austen and have seen many of her works performed by many actors. If you can appreciate a black & white version of Ms. Austen's work then this movie may be suitable for you. Anne Hathaway does well in this movie but if you expect for her to be funny like in many of her previous films this movie may not be for you. This movie is for the more serious of people out there that can enjoy a watching a film about a person who grows up to become a great writer but at what cost. This film is a love story that leaves you with a smile and makes you wonder whether Jane Austen would have written such beautiful stories/novels had things been otherwise. Review ID: 10000000007989103 Was this review helpful? Report this review |
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