Becoming Jane

Becoming Jane

Directed by: Julian Jarrold

Starring: Anne Hathaway

Genre: Romance/Drama

Run Time: 120 min.

Release Date: August 2007

On The Web: Official Site

Teaser: Movie Trailer

Reviewed by Byron Merritt

That Jane Austen is one of the penultimate authors of the 19th century is undeniable. Without exception, all of her films have been turned into films. From her lesser known NORTHANGER ABBEY and PERSUASION to her more popular SENSE AND SENSIBILITY and, the crown jewel, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Her characters’ romances have inspired writers and made women swoon. But where did Jane get her inspiration?

BECOMING JANE tells us—in no uncertain terms—that life frequently imitates art. We’re shown, however, that Jane’s choices were often in direct opposition to her writings. Jane never married, had only one true love, and was shunned by the literary community of the times because of her sex (women who wrote fiction were often considered scandalous).

Connections between her stories and her real life are shoved down the viewers’ throats, making true discovery by the movie-watcher impossible (“Oh look. That must be where she got the idea for Mr. Darcy.” And, “Oh look. That must be where she got the idea for Emma.”) The list is long and exceptionally easy. The complexity of her stories didn’t match the simplicity of Becoming Jane’s screenplay is what I’m saying.

The relationship between Jane (Anne Hathaway, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA) and her one true love Tom (James McAvoy, ATONEMENT) is well played but leaves little doubt about where Ms. Austen came up with her Darcy personae. The ending made this an easier pill to swallow, which also raised my rating of the film (it is in keeping with the times that Ms. Austen grew up and the restrictions placed on those people of money and property, and those without).

This film also points to a sad end for Ian Richardson, who died soon after the film’s completion. Richardson plays Judge Langlois who lords over Tom as his uncle (Richardson is known for his amazing TV repertoire ...from BLEAK HOUSE to THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES) Tom (McAvoy) is Judge Langlois’ heir apparent, and is forced to do the unthinkable when given the choice between love or money (or family abroad). In true sacrificial fashion, Jane refuses him his sacrifice and, in the end, chooses the life of an unwedded old maid. But she has her writings, and uses them to insert herself into a life she should have lived (living vicariously through her characters).

No doubt Becoming Jane was also Hollywoodized, making Jane’s life seem more interesting than it was. Liberties with film will always be taken, though. It just depends on how much that irks you as the viewer. For someone as important to literature as Ms. Austen, it might be more irksome than entertaining.