I had great hopes for this movie. As a fan of all Jane Austen’s work (Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility), I expected this to be a factually wonderful and inspiring movie, about the author. However, I believe the director and screenwriter totally lost the Point of this entire biography and in the process alienated all Jane Austen fans (the target market!). What were they thinking!???
Firstly be warned. If you are expecting a feel-good, chick flick movie, don’t bother. This made me thoroughly bored and disappointed. Anne Hathaway, who is stunning in the ‘Devil wears Prada’ just fails terribly in this role. It would have been better suited to someone like a fresh new British actress (and with a complete script re-write!). Plus I didn’t like James McAvoy as the male love interest at all. Very mis-matched.
It is implied that without their illicit affair, Jane Austen would never have written her six great novels. We see Jane caught up in passion, bashing out the first draft of P & P (in a single night!, which is hardly realistic, if you’ve ever read the novel – it takes longer to read!). To me this movie feels just like just a fanciful piece of fiction rather than a biographical retelling.
I guess my low rating of this film is based on the feeling that I missed out on knowing the truth, what was her life was really like? Her struggles her achievements – I think that would have made a great film. If I had known it was not based on any historical fact – my expectations would have been alot lower and I think I may have enjoyed it more. However, I left feeling disappointed that I didn’t find out anything TRUTHFUL about this amazing woman.
Steph’s rating: 1/10
unfortunately when Steph said she wanted to see this movie, i immediately realised i wasn’t feeling well. so I stayed home and played xbox hoping that would speed my recovery