(If you don’t know anything at all about Jane Austen’s life there may be a few spoilers in this review)
In spite of an all-too-brief life, Jane Austen wrote six novels whose impact on the world of literature, and in modern times the world of film, have made her one of the most celebrated authors of English literature. One of the first to use free indirect speech in conjunction with her command of the use of irony, Jane Austens work not only survives as social commentary of her own times, but also speaks to generations of readers and film goers today.
The woman herself remains something of a mystery, causing much speculation regarding just how much of her life and her observations of those around her found their way into the unforgettable novels that she produced. This film, based on the book Becoming Jane Austen by Jon Spence, purports to shed some light on the illusive life and suspected love of Jane Austen.
In his biography, Spence, professor emeritus of English literature at Doshisha University, Kyoto, reports that “there has been a long-observed tacit agreement that Jane Austen’s work is off limits to the biographer as a source of information about her life”. Despite this agreement, Spence has combed through the Austen archives, including Jane’s letters and manuscripts, in an attempt to find a greater romantic connection between Ms. Austen and Thomas Lefroy. There are some indications in letters Jane Austen wrote to her sister Cassandra and in other documentation that, at the very least, there was a flirtatious relationship between the two. Becoming Jane, the film, uses the Jon Spence book as a springboard for a more broad fictionalized account of how Jane’s life may have influenced her works. Despite going beyond what Spence theorizes in some respects, I was happy to see that he was included as a consultant on the film.
Becoming Jane is not as polished as many of the more recent films of her works, but nonetheless it is a well done film. Disney darling Anne Hathaway breaks away from her more well known princess roles to inhabit the big shoes of one of the most celebrated authors of all time, and she does so to great effect. Hathaway does a marvelous job of balancing the subdued and demure Jane Austen, who certainly must have existed in polite society, with the strong and opinionated woman who also must have existed within Ms. Austen for her to have written such amazing female characters.
James McAvoy is equally fantastic in the role of Thomas Lefroy. Somewhat rougish and yet very likeable, McAvoy portrays a very realistic character that one could imagine winning the affections of the astute Ms. Austen. The rest of the cast is equally up to the task. James Cromwell and Julie Walters were great as Mr. and Mrs. Austen, and Maggie Smith (a favorite since the first time I saw A Room With a View) was excellent as Mrs. Gresham.
A favorite character of any period piece film is the countryside in which it is set, and the rolling hills green hills and rich texture of the surrounding forests are beautiful. Equally beautiful is the original score by Emmy award winning composer Adrian Johnston. I look forward to listening to the soundtrack on Rhapsody.
Becoming Jane’s major conceit is that Jane Austen simply had to have gleaned inspiration for her memorable characters by those around her. Because of this the screenwriters took special pains to make Jane Austen’s family and friends mirror somewhat the characters that we all know from her novels. This made for a very fun movie experience, seeing glimpses of the overbearing mother from Pride and Prejudice in the more subdued but somewhat spirited behavior of her own mother. Shades of Lady Catherine de Bourgh from that selfsame novel can be seen in the behavior of Mrs. Gresham, and so on. I credit the actors with being able to show glimpses of how Jane could have amplified the behavior of those around her to create her more ostentatious characters. They were able to play these roles without letting the roles get away from them and I really admired the performances.
The movie itself, if you know anything about Jane Austen’s life, is both romantic and melancholy, tragic and triumphant. That isn’t to say that the film is entirely a depressing affair, only to say that it runs the gamut of emotions and in the end leaves one a bit melancholy. In fact we came home and watched the most recent theatrical version of Pride and Prejudice just so that we could boost our spirits a bit. My favorite moments of the film, apart from the growing romance between Jane and Tom, were those in which we are able to see Jane enraptured at the act of writing. A visit to a certain gothic author whose works hold some part of the inspiration for the R.I.P. Challenge was also a high point of the film. As silly as it may sound, I found myself thinking afterwards about the reality that just shy of two centuries ago the real Jane Austen was actually sitting at a desk, presumably, somewhere in England penning these amazing novels. It boggles the mind, really, to think of that tie to history that we have today because of the popularity and availability of her works. My only complaint about the film at all is that it really felt more like an autumn movie. As I watched them walk through trees on paths of fallen leaves I had a more difficult time getting lost in the setting simply due to the fact that I knew it was 100+ degrees outside. I wish they would have held release for a few months.
Becoming Jane is a beautiful film that gives us a glimmer of what Jane Austen’s life may have been like. Though much of it may be mere speculation, it provides an opportunity to dwell on the life, if only for a few hours, of a woman whose novels have resulted in some of my most beloved film experiences. The books aren’t bad either 😉 . I left the theatre hoping that the woman who penned such memorable romances did indeed have some in her own life, even if it was but for a moment.
Of course, I wanted to see this film before reading your review, but now I’m even more anxious.
Its a must see for all Austen lovers. As I said, I went home and watched Pride and Prejudice and then pulled down my half read copy of it to go ahead and finally finish it. It is wonderful, I just get distracted easily.
I’m so glad that you enjoyed this one Carl. I think I told you before that I’ve been wanting to see this one, but I still haven’t had the chance to see it. Really looking forward to it, even more so now.
I also see that you’re a fan of Room with a View! That’s Megan’s favorite movie. She’s going to flip when I tell her that you like that movie, lol…She gets excited when she just finds someone else who’s heard of it! That’s a great one.
Room With a View is a movie my friend Scott introduced me to in college. He had heard about it and we rented it one night and watched it with a girl who was on his sister floor. We all loved it and I loved sharing it with my wife later. I finally bought the special edition of it last year. Such a great movie. We have since introduced it to our daughter and to other friends. I never cease to enjoy it whenever we watch it. Megan has very good taste! I even read the book after I had seen it a few times and really enjoyed it.
How do you manage to anticipate my movie list? I am very very impressed.
Becoming Jane is playing at a small second time round theatre near me and I am
trying to decide if I should go now or wait to see it on DVD.
Any movie with good dialog seems better at home in complete silence. I hate
hearing popcorn being crunched right behind my ear.
I was so glad to read your review. After seeing a preview of the film I was tempted to go see it, but also afraid that they may have schmalzed her life. Now I want to see it, thanks to your great review. Of course, I didn’t realize Maggie Smith was in it or there would have been no doubt.
Elizabeth, I just mentioned to Jeff in conversation this evening that eventhough I enjoyed Becoming Jane, it is certainly one I would wait for on DVD given the many movies that are currently playing that benefit more from being viewed on the big screen. Of course a movie like this seems to appeal to a better crowd than say your typical big bidget film, so I imagine the in-theatre behavior would be a bit better.
It did not in any way feel like a prettied-up Americanized version of Jane Austens life, Pat. Though a portal back in time may prove her life to be a little less romantic thatn this movie wants us to believe, this may also have been exactly what happened and it is in no way a sugar-coated view of her life.
Fine review my friend. I’ve been wanting to see this since first seeing the trailer last month. There’s just too many good movies out right now and not enough time for me to see them. I haven’t even made it to see Harry Potter yet. I also need to see Stardust and Bourne. It sure seems like a fine year at the movies after a disappointing last year.
Thanks Jeff, and I agree, there have been a great deal of worthwhile films thus far this year, and there look to be quite a few more before the year is over.
I really enjoyed this film. Yes, it was melancholy to a large degree, but it would have to be knowing the facts of Jane Austen’s life. I think the actors did a wonderful job, and I would definitely recommend seeing this movie.
I have such mixed feelings about seeing this. I love Jane Austen and have watched/read Pride & Prejudice a bazillion times. I’m not sure I want anyone to tell Jane’s story because I’ve idealized her so much.
The film certainly won’t taint your idealization of her SQT, at least in my opinion. It is really only a theory about a very small portion of her life and one that still concentrates more on her being an ‘Elizabeth Bennett’ type person as opposed to going wild with speculation about her life.
thanks for the thorough review. i was quite curious about this film – having read and loved “pride and prejudice”. austen is a very intriguing character. i often feel sorry for her, thinking she must’ve been rather frustrated with her great wit and intelligence in a period when it wasn’t really appreciated in a woman.
I agree, JP. I’m sure the world was filled with intelligent, witty women, minorities, etc. who suffered because of societies rules at the time. I’m sure for everyone who actually broke out in some fashion, like Jane Austen, many didn’t have even that opportunity.
Well, Carl, I saw it with a group of 8 women and one guy. At first I really hated it. The first hour seemed pretty modern to me, along the lines of Shakespeare in Love(which I loved but it’s still a modern vision of Shakespeare’s love life). But after a while I became so engrossed in the story that I forgot my purist self and allowed my emotions to be moved. Even knowing a bit about Miss Austen’s life didn’t prevent me from thoroughly enjoying the movie.
I was tickled to see Anna Maxwell Martin(Bleak House, North and South) playing the role of Cassandra, Jane’s beloved sister. She is always fabulous.
Anyway, I loved the movie and am considering taking my husband to see it this weekend. He watches my Pride and Prejudice movie more than I do.
One more thing, I cannot WAIT to start the RIP challenge. I didn’t realize it was starting so soon. See you monday!
Glad you ended up enjoying this one. I’m not sure I knew who Anna M. Martin was before this, but I enjoyed her in the role.
My wife and I were able to sneak away from work today and watch this wonderful film. We both loved it. Even knowing the ultimate outcome didn’t prevent me from enjoying the film. The two lead actors just sucked me in with there performances and the supporting cast was wonderful as well. I also like how the film makers sprinkled in little moments for the supporting cast that lead you to believe that some of what Austen fictionalized came from elements of her real life which just seems so logical to me. The scenery and score is amazing as Carl notes and I’ll agree with him that the film has more of a fall like feel. I would have rather caught it October. I can’t wait to snag this one on DVD and I hope to read Spence’s book one day as well. I can’t recommend this movie enough for Austen fans.