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THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB Send This Review to a Friend
Showcased at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival, “The Jane Austen Book Club” has a nifty story idea and overall concept. Based on Karen Joy Fowler’s popular novel, the film involves a group of women, and their male participant, who are committed to reading and discussing one Jane Austen work a month. What happens is that their take on her characters and observations resonates in their own lives and paves the way for resolution of their personal problems in light of Austen’s insights.
That’s a tall order to fulfill in the movie written and directed by Robin Swicord, and there are moments of success, thanks in no small measure to the achievements of a fine cast. Although the film isn’t sufficiently dynamic in total, there are many pleasures in watching the scheme unfold and in savoring the more amusing or poignant developments.
Maria Bello, always fascinating, plays Jocelyn, who is reticent about committing herself to a relationship and is trying to remain above it all. Hugh Dancy as Grigg, the male in the ointment, is extremely attracted to her, but doesn’t know how to crack the façade. There is also Sylvia, played by Amy Brenneman, whose husband Daniel (Jimmy Smits) shocks her with the news that he is walking out after 25 years of marriage because he loves another. Sylvia and Daniel have a daughter Allegra (Maggie Grace), who is a lesbian.
The character of Prudie (Emily Blunt) is somewhat boring because of her annoying tentativeness. She is a teacher whose marriage has fallen apart, but who is tempted by the advances of a good-looking male student (Kevin Zegers). Should she or shouldn’t she?
The mother hen and founder of the Austen group is Bernadette, who has had six marriages but is badly in need of another, or at least a relationship, but conceals her inner longings as she goes about life spiritedly. Kathy Baker portrays her vividly and amusingly. Lynn Redgrave has a small but colorful and effectively performed part as Sky, Prudie’s overbearing, hippie-like mom.
Such is the mix, and there is considerable plot juggling to bring Austen and these characters together. Part of the fun comes from all of the Austen references, and the film emerges as one more step in the Austen revival and the desire to read into her much that relates to our contemporary society. A Sony Pictures Classics release.
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