I was disappointed with
Becoming Jane, finding the film a bit tedious, although it did pick up towards the end. Other than conveying the frustration and heartbreak of thwarted young lovers, the film, loosely based upon the life of
the famous English author, fails to measure up to the level of wit, insight, humor and restrained passion which characterize Jane Austen's novels. It was nowhere as captivating as some of the films taken from Austen's works, such as
Sense and Sensibility (1995),
Pride and Prejudice (1995) and the many BBC productions. When there are so many talented British actresses, it defeats all reason to have American actresses in roles such as that of Jane Austen. Anne Hathaway is a lovely actress, but her mannerisms, her walk, her accent, were all just too American for the part. James McAvoy was quite good as Jane's
beau, although his character seemed to be hardly the inspiration for Austen's "Mr. Darcy," as is being claimed. The Irishman Tom LeFroy is too penniless and dissolute to make anyone think of the proud, distant, and independently wealthy Darcy. There were also some odd little historical innacuracies. For instance, young gentlemen usually did not unbutton their shirts in the presence of ladies as is shown in the cricket sequence, at least, not outside the boudoir.
Here is a review from
The Guardian.
Here are some interesting reflections on the reasons for Jane Austen's spinsterhood.
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