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MOVIES / ON DVD / BECOMING JANE
Becoming Jane

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Becoming Jane (2007)

57%
73%
71%
N/A
N/A
N/A
57 %
Reviews Counted: 129 Fresh: 73  Rotten:56 Average Rating: 6/10
 
Consensus: A well-crafted period piece, but it lacks fresh insight. 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. more
 
Rated: PG
Runtime: 2 hrs
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 Hathaway, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA) is bright, strong-willed, and unwilling to marry merely for money,... [More]
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. [Less]

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Historical, Romantic Comedy, Writers, Romances, Authors

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

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

DVD Info

Release:

Dec 2, 2008

[DVD Details]

Blu-Ray Features:

  • Widescreen - 2.35

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 Uncompressed - English
  • Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - Spanish
  • Subtitles - English (SDH), French, Spanish - Optional

Additional Release Material:

  • Audio Commentary
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Featurette - DISCOVERING THE REAL JANE AUSTEN
  • Pop Up Facts - BECOMING JANE Pop Up Facts & Footnotes

Reviews

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Ratings Image

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 | Comment
03/30/07 11:47 AM
Julia Buckley
thelondonpaper
Ratings Image

It's a good-looking film.

Full Review | Comment
03/17/07 03:43 AM
Philip French
Observer [UK]
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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 | Comment
03/10/07 04:45 AM
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
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The supporting cast are all terrific, as are the Irish locations.

Full Review | Comment
03/08/07 07:55 AM
Mark Adams
Sunday Mirror [UK]
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Think Austen In Amour, à la Shakespeare In Love. A warm, charming, bittersweet romance – destined to make a thousand dates.

Full Review | Comment
03/08/07 07:49 AM
Nev Pierce
Total Film
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Austen’s fans will recognise something of the author’s playful wit in the film, and forgive the dramatic liberties.

Full Review | Comment
03/08/07 07:41 AM
Wendy Ide
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

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 | Comment
03/08/07 07:38 AM
Anna Smith
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

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

Full Review | Comment
03/08/07 07:21 AM
Liz Beardsworth
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

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

Full Review | Comment
03/08/07 03:17 AM
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon
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It’s a classy package, all right – just missing the extra spark.

Full Review | Comment
03/08/07 03:17 AM
Trevor Johnston
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

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 | Comment
03/03/07 04:47 AM
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
Ratings Image

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

Full Review | Comment
03/03/07 04:47 AM
Stella Papamichael
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
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Even though it looked great and was moderately engaging, something was also always missing.

Full Review | Comment
02/19/08 10:10 PM
Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views
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...there's a feeling with Becoming Jane that we have seen it all before.... Many times.

Full Review | Comment
02/11/08 10:33 AM
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com
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Click to read the article

Full Review | Comment
01/18/08 03:15 AM
David Fear
Time Out New York
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A dull exercise in deconstructing Jane Austen's life to provide a life experience basis for her novels.

Full Review | Comment
01/12/08 02:30 PM
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope
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An den to 'heis barethei [to story] tis alles ena ekatommyrio enniakosies peninta ennia hiliades triakosies eikosi dyo fores poy to 'heis ksanadei (i, an den to 'heis ksanadei), magkia soy kai kali diaskedasi, prodomenos de tha bgeis.

Full Review | Comment
10/14/07 04:53 AM
Joseph Proimakis
Movies for the Masses
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You'll enjoy it if you're the artistic, romantic type who can be seated for 120 minutes without CGI or anything getting blown up.

Full Review | Comment
09/20/07 09:14 PM
Adam Fendelman
HollywoodChicago.com
Ratings Image

Jane Austen did not live the life of Elizabeth Bennett, but even if she had, there was no reason to be this bland in presenting it.

Full Review | Comment
09/12/07 03:28 PM
Tim Brayton
Antagony & Ecstasy
Ratings Image

An enjoyable appetizer, albeit for a meal that one could argue already has far too many courses.

Full Review | Comment
09/08/07 03:27 AM
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk
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Related Forums

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REEL_REVIEWER
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