In association with

The Jane Austen Book Club [2007]
from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
starring Kevin Zegers, Jimmy Smits, Maria Bello, Kathy Baker, Hugh Dancy
directed by Robin Swicord

Features:

• PAL

Editorial Review:

Lest there be any doubts about the ongoing relevance of the novels of Jane Austen, the charming Jane Austen Book Club will lay them to rest--with wit, sharp insight, and a wicked chuckle or three. Directed by the talented Robin Swicord, who adapted the book by Karen Joy Fowler (and also wrote the crackling screenplay for the 1994 version of Little Women), the film is a modern-day comedy of manners, with deeply felt emotions, repressed feelings, unquenched desire and embarrassing relatives--all staples of Austen works. The film centres on a group of six friends in Sacramento, California, who gather to distract themselves from loss (a newly dumped Sylvia, played with grace and quiet pain by Amy Brenneman), repressed disappointment (the prissy teacher Prudie, played by Emily Blunt), or a life of unrealised dreams (Jocelyn, played by Maria Bello, whose acting skills have gained great nuance, both in comedy and drama). All are devoted Austen fans, except the lone man, Grigg (Hugh Dancy, adorable and available, ladies), who has an ulterior motive for joining the chick-lit gang. As the months unfold, we learn about the relationships of all the members, and watch as elements of Austen's novels and characters pop up with enchanting regularity.

There's plenty of pride (Prudie), prejudice (Jocelyn), sense (Sylvia), and sensibility (Sylvia's daughter Allegra, headstrong and reckless in life and love, played by Maggie Grace)--and a fair amount of persuasion (Grigg and Sylvia's caddish ex, Daniel, a smooth Jimmy Smits). As the minuet of relationships and alliances unfolds over the months, the emotions are real and the leavening humour spot-on. About the only thing that doesn't ring true is seeing all these Sacramento women bundled up in shawls, blankets, thick sweaters and extra layers--even in July(!). Still, the film will engage even reluctant Austen readers (if there is such a thing). As Kathy Baker's Bernadette says gaily, "Jane Austen is the perfect antidote to life!" Elizabeth Bennett couldn't have put it better. --A.T. Hurley

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0

• Ok
  I can tell is an ok movie recommended for women to watch and who have read Jane Austen's books.

• good enough to watch twice
  This is inevitably a literate film given that the centrepiece of the storyline is a book club about Jane Austin novels.A young man is invited into the club by some much older women in an attempt to get him to date one of their friends whose marriage is breaking up.You'll enjoy this film if you like listening to what people say to one another but if you're looking for steaming hot sex scenes or action of any other kind then look elsewhere.

• A winner
  Thoroughly enjoyed this, beautifully acted by all, and of course some wonderful eye candy. Grigg's horror-house was a bit silly tho' - I didn't feel it quite suited the character. I loved how even the indifferent men joined the Club at the end, though it never said what books they were doing after they'd finished the Austen ones ! Going to watch this again - I rented it first and I think I may buy.......

• Pleasantly surprised
  I'm not a huge Jane Austen fan (I've read one of her books and seen screen adaptations of two of her books). I expected this film to be contrived and pretentious however I was surprised to discover that I did enjoy this film. It's well written with good performances. The character's stories parallels Jane Austen's plotline but it was done in a subtle, funny way so it wasn't too "in your face". For romantic comedies fans or for anyone wanting something lighthearted and uplifting, I would definitely recommend... more info

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