The Jane Austen Book Club (12A)

Film

Romance

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Time Out rating:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5

User ratings:

<strong>Rating: </strong>2/5
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Time Out says

Mon Nov 12 2007

Die-hard Austenites might shudder at the idea of a Jane Austen fan club in modern-day California, but Karen Joy Fowler’s source novel fared well enough to give rise to this adaptation. Director Robin Swicord has cast actresses best known for reliable supporting roles: Emily Blunt is uptight teacher, Prudie; Kathy Baker is oft-divorced Bernadette; Maria Bello is match-making Jocelyn; and Amy Brenneman is recently separated Sylvia. Together with a lesbian and a bloke – for balance, presumably – they form a group to read and discuss Austen’s novels. When their lives start mirroring those of the writer’s heroines, Austen readers may find themselves torn between enjoying the references and finding them crass (‘You’re such an Emma,’ Jocelyn is told at one point). But Prudie’s problems, which include a drug-addled mother and a flirtatious pupil, lend enough colour and humour to help this muddle along just fine in a sentimental, mainstream kind of way. Although by constantly referencing Austen’s sharp wit and characterisation, this can only ever come up short in comparison.

Author: Anna Smith

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Release details

Rated:

12A

UK release:

Fri Nov 16 2007

Duration:

105 mins

Cast and crew

Director:

Robin Swicord

Production Designer:

Rusty Smith

Editor:

Maryann Brandon

Cast:

Gwendolyn Yeo, Kevin Zegers, Marc Blucas, Lynn Redgrave, Hugh Dancy, Jimmy Smits, Maggie Grace, Emily Blunt, Amy Brenneman, Kathy Baker, Maria Bello

Cinematography:

John Toon

Music:

Aaron Zigman

Screenwriter:

Robin Swicord

Art Director:

Sebastian Schroder

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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 2/5 (3 ratings)

  • I found this so hard to watch. The characters were fluffy, and not nearly as engaging as a BBC special of one of the real Jane Austen books. Maybe I have missed the point. But for my money The Hours and French Liietenants Woman, both with latter day versions of the subject, were much better

    Liz Sat May 15 2010
    Rated as: 1/5
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  • I found this so hard to watch. The characters were fluffy, and not nesarly as engaging as a BBC special of one of the real Jane Austen books. Maybe I have missed the point. But for my money The Hours and French Liietenants Woman, both with latter day versions of the subject, were much better

    Liz Sat May 15 2010
    Rated as: 1/5
    Report

  • This is a very enjoyable and well-made film, with an excellent cast. Inevitably the story is a bit contrived, but it's clerverly done and you don't really mind because the characters are engaging. Although the target audience is primarily female, there are a couple of strong male characters which adds some balance. Although not an all-time classic, it's great fun and well worth seeing.

    Jim Smith Sun Nov 18 2007
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • As a devoted fan of Hugh Dancy, I think that you could have had the decency to mention him by name. He is merely referred to in this review as "a bloke", yet you've taken the time to mention by name 4 of the female leads. Hmm not impressed....

    EmmaB Sat Nov 17 2007
    Report
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