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The Jane Austen Book Club
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Editorial Reviews:
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An all star cast joins acclaimed director/writer Robin Swicord (writer - Little Women, Memoirs of a Geisha) in this critically acclaimed film Six Californians start a club to discuss the works of Jane Austen, only to find their relationships - both old and new - begin to resemble 21st century versions of her novels. Stars Kathy Baker (Cider House Rules), Maria Bello (A History of Violence), Emily Blunt (Devil Wears Prada), Amy Brennemen (Juding Amy), Jimmy Smits (Star Wars Episodes 1-3).
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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 centers on a group of six friends in Sacramento, Calif., 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 unrealized 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 humor 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 Stills from The Jane Austen Book Club (click for larger image)
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The Jane Austen Book Club
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User Comments About The Jane Austen Book Club
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It really does make you want to start a "Jane Austen book club". I got this movie because I love Jane Austen. I was completely entertained. Nice job making a modern day story that uses "Austen" themes. The movie can stand on it's own with no knowledge of Austen, but it gives you a little guilty pleasure to identify the story lines.
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There were bits of promise in it, but it was disjointed and flat. HIGHLY improbable. I can't forgive attaching Austen's name to this shallow and one-dimensional movie. A serious of not well connected moments. Worse was the way Prudie's husband (Riley on Buffy). suddenly was assimilated at the end.
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This film is very original, creative and heartfelt. My favorite characters here are those played by Amy Brenneman and Emily Blunt as a woman recently dumped by her husband and a very prissy unhappily married teacher respectively. It is a romantic comedy of manners told with wit and charm. 6 months, 6 members and 6 books. It is a romantic comedy but the comedic touches are right on and not forced the same as they are in life.
This film could be called a chic flick but it is so much more and I think it is a perfect film for all couples to watch together and discuss after. It freely allows us to see the real life drama each character is actually going through. As each book is read and discussed we get involved more and more into the complexities of the real lives of each character. The acting is superb throughout and the ending is very uplifting but it manages to not be formulaic.
The journeys of self discovery both of these women go thru is emotionally heart wrenching and excellently portrayed. They are all very real, very believable and it is very touching how they all gain more inner strength by the continuity of the book club. Watch and enjoy excellent acting and very believable characters journey through life and learn from each other. It is the story of 6 friends who are Jane Austen fans and all decide to form a book club for different reasons.
It can be used as a touching stone the same as the Jane Austen Book Club was in the film. Jane Austen writes with a complex purpose in each of her novels and they can all be debated for days so to have a book club centered around her work as a basis is an outstanding idea. Not all things in life end badly and the way each character moves on is very authentic.
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Bring over the popcorn, wine, and whiskey we've got girls night winner.
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It was fun to have an ensemble relationship movie, a flavor for all of us.
It manages an unmistakable Austin feel and is engaging. All of the cast gave wonderful performances that pulled me in.
Loved this movie, watched it twice the 1'st day. The cast is great and although I wouldn't call it deep and moving it is sharp and has some substance.
Well done. My favorite character was Grigg, probably because I so rarely see this character in movies; he played the part of one of those great guys that we meet, know we should marry, but don't because there isn't any chemistry; well, his character is that guy with the chemistry; kudos to actor Hugh Dancy for being able to pull off this role.
The chemistry and strong performances brought the characters to life which is something I feel from books but rarely experience with a movie.
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