Becoming Jane (2007)

Overall rating from 1 to 100: 84

O Masterpiece (95-100)
X Excellent (75-94)
O Good video rental (60-74)
O Merely OK (50-59)
O Pure mediocrity (30-49)
O Medusa: don't watch (1-29)

Review by Jason Pyles / August 25, 2007

Though it’s a major “girl movie,” if a guy wanted to make his gal feel very positively toward him, then he would be wise to take her to see “Becoming Jane.” It will work like a charm; I guarantee it.

Much like “Shakespeare in Love” (1998), this movie gives us a character whose life experiences provide inspirational material for her most famous work, “Pride and Prejudice.” Yes, Anne Hathaway plays Jane Austen, inhabiting her role in a most likeable way. Here we have a lovely fictionalized biography, mingled with a little fact.

Jane strictly adheres to all observations of propriety, but her aspirations toward becoming a female novelist disgruntle some. Worse yet, her family is one of diminishing means and she is yet to find a suitable suitor. Of course, her mother is affright with Jane's single state. Sound familiar? (Not you, Reader, I'm referring to miss Elizabeth Bennet's plight.) Alas, a happy ruffian (James McAvoy) is forced to visit; and much like Mr. Darcy, at first our "Elizabethan" Jane finds him repulsive, offensive, then tantalizing.

“Becoming Jane” has a few fist fights and a couple of male bare bottoms, but I suspect that most sensitive viewers will find its PG rating, more or less, appropriate.

Although it seems like a tricky way for Hollywood to recycle something that has worked in the past, “Becoming Jane” has some depth that I haven't seen in the filmed versions of “Pride and Prejudice.” Indeed, “Becoming Jane” is uncommonly good, sadly sweet and touching in unexpected ways.

Directed by Julian Jarrold
Anne Hathaway / James McAvoy / James Cromwell
120 min. Drama / Romance
MPAA: PG (for brief nudity and mild language)

Copyright 2007.
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