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 Reel Life with Jane!Get the latest scoop on family-friendly movies at the theatre and on DVD! BECOMING JANE
MPAA Rating: PG for brief nudity and mild language. Should you bring the kids? Yes, but this movie is best for romance-loving tweens and teens who love period dramas and/or Jane Austen. For more info, see "Bringing the Kids" below. THE STORY: The year is 1795 and the place is England. Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway) is 20 years old and passionate about writing romantic novels, despite the fact that it's not an acceptable profession for a woman of that era. Her parents, played by Julie Walters and James Cromwell, are pressuring her to marry well and for money. Her father is a clergyman, and if Jane marries a rich man, it's not only her ticket to financial freedom, but theirs, as well. The most desirable candidate is Mr. Wisley (Laurence Fox), the upstanding nephew of Lady Gresham (Maggie Smith). But since matters of the heart rarely follow protocol, Jane instead finds herself drawn to the dashing and arrogant Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy), an Irish lawyer who initially scoffs at Jane's country ways. Also, Tom subsists on an allowance from his uncle, who promises to cut him off if he marries a country girl. But sparks fly soon enough, and Jane finds herself in a battle-of-wits relationship with Tom – depicted as the source of inspiration for the dueling couple of Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy in Austen's "Pride & Prejudice." She doesn't write the novel in this movie, but at the end, we're informed that she went on to write six of the most beloved novels in English literature. This movie shows how she gathered much of the material for "Pride & Prejudice," including the opening line: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." All of this is enough to give a girl goosebumps – whether you're the girl on screen or the one in the audience watching it play out. Tom delights in seeing Jane blush at his sexual innuendoes, but she can dish it out, too. However, devotees of Austen's life may want to skip this movie, as much of it is likely fictionalized. In real life, Jane's letters to her sister, Cassandra, noted that her "flirtations" with Tom lasted only a week or so – hardly enough time for a romance to blossom, especially for a poor rector's daughter who had to walk everywhere. Meanwhile, the grown-ups in their lives are aghast at this turn of events. The very idea that Jane might survive solely on income from her writing is ludicrous, not only to her parents, but also to Lady Gresham and the socialites with whom she keeps company. They encourage Jane to come to her senses, marry the respectable but dull Mr. Wisley, and live happily ever after. "Affection may be desirable, but money is absolutely indisputable," notes her mother. Jane feels a responsibility to support her parents, but believes she can do it from her writing.
Still, this is a charming film, if a bit long (a good 20 minutes could have been trimmed). Hathaway is a lovely romantic heroine, bringing to life the complex Austen we know through her books such as "Sense & Sensibility," "Emma," and the aforementioned "Pride & Prejudice." She has good chemistry with Lefroy, although he's a much different character than the brooding Mr. Darcy played by Colin Firth in the 1995 A&E miniseries of "Pride & Prejudice." Director Julian Jarrold ("Kinky Boots") brings integrity to the film with beautiful costumes, neatly manicured gardens, and lush landscapes reminiscent of a Merchant/Ivory movie. BRINGING THE KIDS: PRESCHOOLERS (ages 2-5): Too worldly and grown-up for preschoolers, a better option is the Brit-inspired "Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit" (Rated G, 2005). This clever claymation movie finds Wallace and his cheese-eating pup Gromit battling a mysterious monster who's ravaging the town's vegetable plots at night. GRADE-SCHOOLERS (ages 6 - 10): Unless they've read Austen's novels and are familiar with her – and I'm sure there are a few out there -- grade-schoolers will probably be bored silly with this movie. Consider 2006's "Nanny McPhee," starring Emma Thompson as a firm but loving nanny who uses magic to discipline a family of unruly kids. TWEEN / TEEN (ages 11+): Hey, even the 18th century produced its fair share of rebellious kids. Sometimes you have to follow your heart, even if the consequences are painful. Older teens – especially Austen-loving girls – will like this movie and maybe even pick up a few pointers about being true to yourself. It's ok to 1) have an opinion, and 2) voice that opinion. JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM : One Reel: Pathetic. Even The Force can’t save it. Two Reels: Tolerable. Coulda been a contender. Three Reels: Pleasant. Something to talk about. Four Reels: Wow! The stuff dreams are made of. Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net
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by Jane Louise Boursaw
The second part of the film gets a little heavy with money woes, life-and-death matters, and lots of sulking. Several subplots also play out, including Jane's relationship with her sister, Cassandra (Anna Maxwell Martin), who has a love interest of her own.