The Jane Austen Book Club
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).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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(out of 102 reviews)
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Review by Benjamin J Burgraff for The Jane Austen Book Club
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You don’t have to be a fan of Jane Austen’s novels to enjoy Robin Swicord’s “The Jane Austen Book Club”, but after spending 106 delightful minutes with some of the most likable people you’ll ever meet, you may want to grab “Pride and Prejudice”, and start a club of your own!
This IS another film where the women are all beautiful, and the men, hot, but, to Swicord’s credit (working from Karen Joy Fowler’s terrific novel), she establishes each character with a humanity that transcends appearance. Working mom, Syl (Amy Brenneman), has it all, with a great job as a librarian, a radiant, if klutzy, lesbian daughter (Maggie Grace), and a devoted husband (Jimmy Smits)…until he announces he was cheating on her, and asks for a divorce. Oft-married, ever-optimistic Bernadette (Kathy Baker) decides to create an Austen club to provide emotional support for both Syl and their best friend, ever-single dog trainer/matchmaker Jocelyn (Maria Bello), who is grieving over the loss of a beloved dog. Bernadette meets young, uptight French teacher/Austen devotee Prudie (Emily Blunt), who has her own baggage, with an inattentive husband (Marc Blucas), an ex-hippie mom (Lynn Redgrave), and a sexy student (Kevin Zegers), whose attentions are sparking her barely-repressed lust. The older woman quickly railroads Prudie into her plan, finalizing a book club that will be “all-women, all-Austen”, focusing on a different Austen novel, each month. Ah, but then Jocelyn meets handsome young computer geek, Grigg (Hugh Dancy), and decides to pair Syl with him, using the club…so a male member joins in the mix, and the fun really begins…
With each major character a 21st century variation of an Austen one, the story unfolds around the monthly meeting/book discussions, allowing the entire cast opportunities to shine. Will Syl recover from her failed marriage? Will Prudie give in, and have her forbidden tryst? Will Jocelyn ever figure out Grigg loves HER? Swicord succeeds in making every subplot both involving, and entertaining!
Great bonus features make “The Jane Austen Book Club” even better. The Austen prototypes of each character are explained, there is a terrific biography of the writer (far better than the one offered in “Becoming Jane”), and an affectionate behind-the-scenes look at the production all truly expand the enjoyment of the film.
Is this a ‘chick flick’? Certainly! But with it’s well-written male roles, I prefer to think of this as an ideal ‘date’ movie, and an experience guys can enjoy, too!
“All Austen, all the time” never sounded better!
Review by Michael Zuffa for The Jane Austen Book Club
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Five women and one man decide to start a book club, reading the works of Jane Austen. Bernadette (Baker), the organizer of the club, is a woman looking to add one more to her many marriages. Jocelyn (Bello) is single and happy with her dogs. Sylvia (Brenneman) is in a failing marriage to Daniel (Smits). Allegra (Grace) is their lesbian daughter. Prudie (Blunt) is unhappily married, and attracted to one of her students. Lastly, there is Grigg (Dancy), a science fiction fan who is in the club because he is interested in Jocelyn. Their lives all contain elements that echo Jane Austen’s stories, so their choice of reading is appropriate.
“The Jane Austen Book Club” is a female bonding movie that will also appeal to fans of Jane Austen. The acting is capable, but nothing outstanding. There is a little of everything relationship-wise here, and all the stories are handled pretty well. Jocelyn and Grigg’s story is probably the most appealing though. To the story’s credit, knowledge of Jane Austen isn’t necessary, but it helps. In all fairness, the title of the film is going to draw in the appropriate audience, and they will probably enjoy it.
Review by Brian E. Erland for The Jane Austen Book Club
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Warning: This is a major “Chick Flick”, no testosterone required.
Chick flick or not, the ’07 release `The Jane Austen Book Club’ is a delightful film exploring the possible application of the six books comprising the “Jane Austen Bible” into the everyday lives and loves of five contemporary women. What was supposed to serve as a carefree diversion from the constant angst of male female relationships becomes the epicenter of their emotional venting and the Gospel of Jane the rule by which all relationships are judged.
The cast displays an infectious chemistry, the storyline solid and consistent from beginning to end and the dialogue is believable, containing a number of quotable lines that will stay with you. `The Jane Austen Book Club’ is a terrific film for the females audience. As far as the guys are concerned, come on and give it a try, you know you have to give in once in a while. This one is not as painful as most within this genre.
Review by Daniel B. Clendenin for The Jane Austen Book Club
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When a single guy and five women of very different ages and stages form a book club to discuss Jane Austen’s six novels, their messy lives begin to imitate the art they’re reading. The movie has six segments, each one named after one of the novels. With each turn of the kaleidoscope this film takes on the character of a soap opera–everyone has problems with love and marriage, too many sagas are treated too superficially, and little more than snappy verbal jousting moves the picture forward. And like a soap opera, neither real life nor Austen’s novels enjoy the syrupy resolution of this film. My hunch is that a woman who has married six times is not a candidate for bliss on the seventh try, that a young teacher who hits on her high school student will not rebound so quickly, or that a twenty year marriage that ends in acrimony will probably not u-turn into one of affection after the husband (!) reads an Austen novel. If that’s too critical, then enjoy this fluffy film as a fun romantic comedy that includes a reminder about the real problems that we all have with the game of love.
Review by RMurray847 for The Jane Austen Book Club
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My wife and I went to see this movie on kind of a whim. We had taken our daughter and some friends to see a movie, and needed to kill some time. We’d seen pretty much everything else of interest, so we agreed the cast of the movie looked like fun, so we went. VERY GLAD WE DID!!
I have seen a few Jane Austen movies and have enjoyed them. I REALLY liked SENSE AND SENSIBILITY in particular. But I have never read an Austen book…nor have I been particularly drawn to it. I love to read…but haven’t read Austen. Simple as that. So I had a rudimentary knowledge…and that was plenty. The movie is simply a delight, and the discussions and references to Austen would certainly heighten the enjoyment, but even without understanding the specific references…it’s pretty easy to get the idea.
I only hesitate to give the movie five stars because of it’s overly-structured plot. I totally realise that the movie is supposed to play out like an Austen novel…people working hard NOT to get with the person they’re supposed to be with…then finally making it. But I felt just a little too taken by the hand and let to one predictable (but usually fun) plot twist or device after another. The surprises came in the performances…not in the plot.
The basic premise is that these 5 women, and one very befuddled but completely charming man, meet once a month to discuss another of Austen’s 6 books. They all do their reading, they are all well-spoken and have inciteful opinions. That isn’t totally believable…but it is easy to just accept and move on. These people are going through turmoils (mostly breakups and loneliness) that Austen sometimes relieves and sometimes echoes too perfectly. At least the women know it…you can tell they kinda sense they’re living out a modern-day Austen story. This requires some suspension of disbelief…but it’s easy to come by because all the characters are so likeable.
Kathy Baker leads the group as a 60-something free-spirit, who organizes everyone into this club, mostly to help one younger friend (Maria Bello) overcome the death of her beloved Ridgeback dog. Also in the group comes Amy Brennerman, recently split from her long-time husband Jimmy Smits. Brennerman is joined by her daughter, played by Maggie Grace (of LOST). Baker also happens to meet an exceedingly uptight high-school French teacher (DEVIL WEARS PRADA’S Emily Blunt) and invites her to attend. Bello, on a whim of her own, invites a younger man named Grigg to attend…hoping he will have an interest in Amy Brennerman. Suffice it to say, this is not where his interests end up.
There’s lots of juicy talk between the group. Grigg is a delightful character…totally unbelievable but so likeable that he really becomes the central focus…we root for him so completely. Brennerman is always very good, and Baker is a force to be reckoned with no matter what she does. She’s like a softer Patricia Clarkson. Bello is always good (despite her ignorant and reprehensible personal politics, she always draws me in with her talent), and Maggie Grace is a nice surprise after playing Shannon on LOST with such one-dimensionality. Emily Blunt has the toughest role…because she goes through the biggest change…and starts our dreadfully unlikeable. After we meet her mother (the wonderful Lynn Redgrave), we can begin to understand her troubles. She evolves the most as a character…where the other ladies don’t really change much, they just have things happen to them. Seeing her in this movie and PRADA…I predict good, Oscar-winning things from her in the years to come. She’s very good.
The movie is well-written and utterly engaging. It is preposterous…but so full of fun that you really don’t care much at all. Only a few plot points caused any real groans of “oh, you must be kidding.” In fact, as I write this and think back on how much unexpected fun I had…I give the film 4.5 stars!
Another nice thing…it is deservingly a PG13…but it is not dirty or foul-mouthed. What a nice change. A young teen girl might enjoy it a great deal.