E:15/10 Becoming Jane Dvd

Snidely

http://www.movieclubnews.co.uk/2007/film/reviews/becomingjane.htm

BECOMING JANE
Competition: See Below

Starring:Anne Hathaway, James Cromwell, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters
Directed by:Julian Jarrold
Review: Alex Pullin
Release date: 10th sept 2007

Jane Austen has long been considered one of the worlds most successful, influential, and best loved of all writers, as well as the creator of one of literature’s most famous opening lines. So it was about time that the story behind the lady herself made it to the silver screen.

We are transported into the world as it was in 1795 where economics seemed to rule emotion. Amongst this environment, a 24 year old Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway - Brokeback Mountain), is fully aware of the obligations imposed by society and her family to marry. Trouble is, no-one appeals to her romantic side, and despite receiving offers she is prepared to wait until she finds the one who can win her heart.
When the rugged, reckless Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy – The Last King of Scotland) arrives from the city, he quickly challenges the ideas and beliefs of Jane. Soon, despite their seemingly vastly different outlooks on life, they find themselves in love. However, all is far from perfect as their lack of money threatens to ruin everything. Just how much are they prepared to sacrifice for each other?
For a writer who created such developed characters and who put so much of her own experiences into her work its shame that the film feels so uninspiring. Whilst there’s plenty of energy and passion in the film’s beginning where we see how life was for Jane at home and the initial encounters between her and Tom, the second part slows down considerably. Scenes begin to drag and the romantic element between Jane and Tom grows tiresome, particularly as it seems to have made them less interesting in their own right.
Hathaway is terrific as Jane, enthusing her with warmth and wit and a delightful feistiness. The talented supporting cast are generally impressive despite being underused. Laurence Fox who plays Jane’s admirer Mr Wisley, in particular gives a superbly restrained performance as the shy gentleman who cannot but be impressed by Jane’s refusals to be intimidated by what others think of her.
The unimaginative title is somewhat misleading. Instead the film’s aim seems to be Revealing Jane. Take away her literary talents and Jane would still have been great company. It’s just a shame that her originality here was not as developed as one of her characters.
Competition:
We have 2 DVD's to win, courtesy of 2Entertain. To enter [EMAIL="comp@winfilm.com"]just tell us[/EMAIL] which Abbey Austen wrote about. Closes 15th Oct 2007.

• Answer = Northanger