Becoming Jane
Her own life is her greatest inspiration.
A portrait of British author Jane Austen at age 20, when she began a love affair with Irishman Tom Lefroy.
Member Reviews
Sigh - jld1307
I am a Jane Austen fan. As such I had high hopes for an interesting look at her life. Unfortunately this film was dreadfully miscast in the lead roles. This film is saved by a superb supporting cast, including the incomparable Maggie Smith. Beautiful costumes and sets! Definitely NOT a "must-see" film.Young Jane Austen - MovieProf
I had no idea Jane Austen never married. When I read this, I understood why one would want to make this sort of film: a what-if of her younger years, before she was a famous writer of such classics as "Emma," "Pride and Prejudice," "Sense and Sensibility," and "Northanger Abbey." The result is a good one: "Becoming Jane" is a highly entertaining film.
I say this although the plot is highly predictable: young Jane, living with her family on their farm and writing love stories, meets Tom LeFroy, a snobbish playboy who is sent away by his uncle to live in the country as punishment for his intolerable ways. Of course, the two detest each other at first, but we all know where things will go. Throw in a pathetic duo of suiters for Jane's hand, and there you have it. Despite all this, I thoroughly enjoyed this film.
Anne Hathaway has been either praised or slammed by viewers and critics, both because she's American, and therefore doesn't always sound English, and because she's too pretty; apparently the real Jane wasn't nearly as attractive. Regardless, I thought Hathaway was brilliant. In fact, the only actor I see as miscast is James Cromwell, who plays Anne's father. His English accent is barely noticable, which causes his presence on screen to hurt the film's authenticity.
Ignore the critics, ignore the most likely fabricated plot--just enjoy this one. It is delightful.Insipid, unfaithful, unrewarding - Zanna
Even the most ardent admirer of Jane Austen (as I am) cannot fail to blanch in the face of this insipid, unfaithful (to Austen),tedious and unrewarding movie which purports to be about Austen's early life. Despite the beautiful English countryside, wonderful costumes, execellent score, it fails. Despite the presence of superb actors such as Julie Walters, Maggie Smith, Ian Richardson, Lawrence Fox and Anna Maxwell Martin, it fails. Despite stunning cinematography, it fails. It is an enormous flop because the two leads, Anne Hathway and James McAvoy do not have an ounce of character to share between them. Hathaway is particularly ill cast for this role. The movie is not in the least assisted by the casting of James Cromwell as Jane's father. Cromwell, who has done excellent work in his native tongue, is hopeless playing Englishmen: in this role he is almost as atrocious as he was in "The Queen": stiff and unable to get the accent. This is a movie to avoid if you love and revere Jane Austen.
Member Reviews
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Sigh - jld1307
I am a Jane Austen fan. As such I had high hopes for an interesting look at her life. Unfortunately this film was dreadfully miscast in the lead roles. This film is saved by a superb supporting cast, including the incomparable Maggie Smith. Beautiful costumes ...Young Jane Austen - MovieProf
I had no idea Jane Austen never married. When I read this, I understood why one would want to make this sort of film: a what-if of her younger years, before she was a famous writer of such classics as "Emma," "Pride and Prejudice," "Sense and Sensibility," ...Insipid, unfaithful, unrewarding - Zanna
Even the most ardent admirer of Jane Austen (as I am) cannot fail to blanch in the face of this insipid, unfaithful (to Austen),tedious and unrewarding movie which purports to be about Austen's early life. Despite the beautiful English countryside, wonderful ...