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Movies / On DVD / Becoming Jane
Becoming Jane

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Becoming Jane (2007)

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Reviews Counted:133

Fresh:77

Rotten:56

Average Rating:6/10

Consensus: Although Becoming Jane is a well-crafted period piece, it lacks fresh insight into the life and works of Jane Austen. The film focuses too much on wardrobe and not enough on Austen's achievements.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for brief nudity and mild language.

Runtime: 2 hrs

Genre: Romance, Historical, Theatrical Release, Romantic Comedy, Writers, Romances, Authors

Theatrical Release:09-03-2007

Synopsis: BECOMING JANE is based on an incident in the life of the beloved writer Jane Austen, and follows the real-life romance that inspired her classic novels. Like many of her heroines, Jane (Anne... BECOMING JANE is based on an incident in the life of the beloved writer Jane Austen, and follows the real-life romance that inspired her classic novels. Like many of her heroines, Jane (Anne Hathaway, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA) is bright, strong-willed, and unwilling to marry merely for money, even though her family is struggling financially. Though many of her friends wish her to pair up with the nephew of a rich woman (Maggie Smith, HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX), Jane wants something more. When she meets the Irish rogue Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy, THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND), she initially can't stand him, but their romance blooms, serving as the inspiration for PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Director Julian Jarrold (KINKY BOOTS) is no stranger to literary fare. Though BECOMING JANE is only his second feature film, he directed several productions for British television, including GREAT EXPECTATIONS, CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, and WHITE TEETH. At times, BECOMING JANE feels exactly as it should: a long-lost Austen novel that's just been rediscovered. The themes and characters here seem familiar, as they've appeared in Austen's work many times. There's the devoted father, difficult mother, loving sister, and, of course, the charming young man with whom the protagonist initially clashes but later falls for. As Tom, McAvoy proves he deserves the attention he received for roles in THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND and STARTER FOR TEN. He's the perfect choice for a romantic lead in an Austen film, taking his place next to Matthew McFadyen in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and Hugh Grant in SENSE AND SENSIBILITY. As Austen, Hathaway exudes intelligence and energy, playing exactly the sort of woman who appeared in the writer's work. For those who can't wait for the next adaptation of Austen's work to arrive, BECOMING JANE is an engaging look at the writer's life and love. [More]

Starring: Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy, Julie Walters, James Cromwell

Starring: Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy, Julie Walters, James Cromwell, Helen McCrory, Maggie Smith

Director: Julian Jarrold

Director: Julian Jarrold
Screenwriter: Sarah Williams, Kevin Hood
Producer: Graham Broadbent, Robert Bernstein, Douglas Rae
Composer: Adrian Johnston
Studio: Miramax Films

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Reviews for Becoming Jane

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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About 20 minutes in, you realise you're actually quite enjoying this; and, horror of horrors, Anne Hathaway's actually doing a rather good job at this Regency lark.

Full Review Source: thelondonpaper | comment Comment
03/30/07
Julia Buckley
Julia Buckley
thelondonpaper

It's a good-looking film.

Full Review Source: Observer [UK] | comment Comment
03/17/07
Philip French
Philip French
Observer [UK]

The very idea of Jane Austen with a broken heart may be thought vulgar and pedantic by her modern readers, and the way the story pans out is not convincing.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
03/10/07
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The supporting cast are all terrific, as are the Irish locations.

Full Review Source: Sunday Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
03/08/07
Mark Adams
Mark Adams
Sunday Mirror [UK]

Think Austen In Amour, à la Shakespeare In Love. A warm, charming, bittersweet romance – destined to make a thousand dates.

Full Review Source: Total Film | comment Comment
03/08/07
Nev Pierce
Nev Pierce
Total Film

Austen’s fans will recognise something of the author’s playful wit in the film, and forgive the dramatic liberties.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
03/08/07
Wendy Ide
Wendy Ide
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Despite the fact that this is a beautifully-shot, dryly funny period drama, some audiences might prefer to stick to the sheer escapism of Austen's fictional work, which follows a similar formula.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
03/08/07
Anna Smith
Anna Smith
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A charming, intriguing biopic, given extra depth and sparkle by attractive performances from its superior cast.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
03/08/07
Liz Beardsworth
Liz Beardsworth
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Something of a disappointment, thanks to some dreary photography and a boring, unimaginative script that completely wastes a talented supporting cast.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment 1 Comment
03/08/07
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

It’s a classy package, all right – just missing the extra spark.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
03/08/07
Trevor Johnston
Trevor Johnston
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Another British writer is given the worthy cinematic treatment, complete with an American actress in the title role and sentiment that overwhelms what should be a gritty story.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment 1 Comment
03/03/07
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

Thanks to the combined charm of the leads, this remains a most agreeable cinematic portrait.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
03/03/07
Stella Papamichael
Stella Papamichael
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

With a spot-on accent and altogether charming performance, Hathaway makes another convincing statement that she has grown, as a woman and as an actress.

Full Review Source: Times-Picayune | comment Comment
08/14/09
Mike Scott
Mike Scott
Times-Picayune
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
04/23/09
Gary Susman
Gary Susman
Boston Phoenix
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: NPR.org | comment Comment
10/18/08
Bob Mondello
Bob Mondello
NPR.org

Director Julian Jarrold (Kinky Boots) struck a unique and lovely tone, managing to maintain a conventional Merchant-Ivory type look but successfully infusing it with some rather modern humor--Hathaway and McAvoy verbally sparring like an 18th century Trac

Full Review Source: ReelzChannel.com | comment Comment
08/22/08
Heather Huntington
Heather Huntington
ReelzChannel.com

without a pretext and knowledge of the classic author, much of the richness of this movie got lost

Full Review Source: 7M Pictures | comment Comment
08/18/08
Kevin Carr
Kevin Carr
7M Pictures

Even though it looked great and was moderately engaging, something was also always missing.

Full Review Source: Movie Views | comment Comment
02/19/08
Ryan Cracknell
Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views

...there's a feeling with Becoming Jane that we have seen it all before.... Many times.

Full Review Source: DVDTown.com | comment Comment
02/11/08
John J. Puccio
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com

Hews frustratingly to the middle of the road.

Full Review Source: Time Out New York | comment Comment
01/18/08
David Fear
David Fear
Time Out New York
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Becoming Jane

December 06, 2007: James McAvoy on Atonement: The RT Interview
Scottish actor James McAvoy has shot several films in the last few years (Becoming Jane, The Last King of Scotland, and the eagerly anticipated Wanted) but so far remains most... More...

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Matt Damon set a new opening weekend record for the month of August with the top spot bow of The Bourne Ultimatum, the third installment in the actor's signature spy series. The... More...

August 02, 2007: Bourne Is Certified Fresh; Hot Rod Hits the Skids; Bratz is Grade-Z; El Cantante Hits A Flat Note
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