Jane Austen In Manhattan

The Ivory Merchant Collection

Rival theater companies compete to produce their own unique versions of Jane Austen's childhood play, Sir Charles Grandison, in this delightful film from Merchant Ivory Productions. George Midash (Michael Wager) buys the play's manuscript at Sotheby's for Pierre (Robert Powell), the head of an avant-garde theater group. Another troupe, headed by the very traditional Lilianna Zorska (Anne Baxter), strives to produce their own version of the play. In her first film role, Sean Young co-stars as a young actress being manipulated by Pierre to join his company. When Lilianna decides to match wits with Pierre, events begin to mirror those occurring within the play itself. A brilliant ensemble cast, a witty screenplay by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, and an inventive score by Richard Robbins all contribute to make Jane Austen an elegant entertainment.