Becoming Jane DVD Review

"Becoming Jane" reviews

DVD

Becoming Jane

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2007-09-14 14:50:24

Provider

DVD Review

In the English society of 1795 marrying for love was a fool's game. But as any fan of Jane Austen's novels (Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma) will know, Austen was a modern woman who saw beyond her world of class and tradition.

Enter Devil Wears Prada star Anne Hathaway as the dreamy 20-year-old with aspirations to make her own way in the world as a writer. When Jane meets dashing young Irishman Tom Lefroy (Atonement and Last King Of Scotland star James McAvoy) his intellect and arrogance send her head-over-heels in love - despite the fact he has no money. Unfortunately her parents (Julie Walters and James Cromwell) want her to marry wealthy-but-dull landowner Mr Wisley, the heir and nephew of Lady Gresham (Maggie Smith). Poised on the first rung of literary greatness, Jane has to choose between love and duty in the face of a romance that was to shape her life and work.

Hathaway's shy determination and natural beauty compliments McAvoy's aura of dangerous excitement perfectly, and their relationship sizzles with chemistry. Julie Walters is on fantastic form as the weary mum, balancing life on the poverty line with her daughters' happiness, while Cromwell provides plenty of laughs and Maggie Smith plays her usual bitter spinster-aunt-with-a-heart character to perfection. The rural setting of Jane's home contrasts with Tom's bawdy, metropolitan bachelor life in London, and there's plenty of posh balls, country picnics, stately homes and jolly alehouses to enjoy.

Based on a true story (via Austen's private letters) there is an attractive circular quality to the film's plot - the authoress of Pride and Prejudice experiencing her own Elizabeth Bennett/Darcy love affair. There's little to fault, although it's definitely one for romance-loving girls.

DVD extras include a Behind The Scenes documentary; Regency Dance featurette; Hair, Make-up and Costume Design featurette; Filming the Cricket Scene; Filming the Boxing Scene; deleted scenes; theatrical trailer; commentary and photo gallery.