Becoming Jane

By Jane Louise Boursaw

Average User Rating:

MPAA Rating: PG for brief nudity and mild language.

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Theatrical Release: August 10, 2007
DVD Release: February 12, 2008
Genre: Drama, Romance
Runtime: 120 minutes

Synopsis: Twenty-year-old Jane Austen is a headstrong young woman with an ambition to be a famous writer, but her parents are more concerned with marrying her off to a dull, but wealthy Mr. Wisley. When Austen meets a roguish lawyer named Tom Lefroy, the attraction is instantaneous--but Lefroy is dependent on his disapproving uncle for income. In a world where marriage determines a woman's fate, will they risk it all, including family and friends, for the sake of romance?

Sex/ Nudity: Lots of chaste, but romantic kissing and embracing. Heaving bosoms in a few brief scenes that take place in a brothel. A two scenes contain cheeky suggestive language: one makes reference to oral sex and one mentions "widening horizons", alluding to intercourse. 
Violence/Gore: A few scenes involving characters witnessing, and then getting involved in, boxing in a bar.
Profanity: One use of "sh-t," a handful of "damnits," and a reference to women being "whores."

What Kids Will Like It?
The film is too worldly and grown-up for preschoolers, a better option is the Brit-inspired "Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit" (Rated G, 2005). Unless they've read Austen's novels and are familiar with her – and I'm sure there are a few out there -- grade-schoolers will probably be bored silly with this movie. Older teens – especially Austen-loving girls – will like this movie and maybe even pick up a few pointers about being true to yourself. It's ok to 1) have an opinion, and 2) voice that opinion

Will Parents Like It?
Adult fans of Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy will enjoy seeing them frolic around in the picturesque period settings and be charmed by the overall story, but be slightly unimpressed with the injudicious editing of the film.

Special Features:

• Discovering the Real Jane Austen – The best known author of her era, she continues to sell books and inspire films almost two hundred years after her death, but what do we really know about Jane Austen? Find out some surprising truths in this fascinating featurette.
• Becoming Jane Pop-Up Facts & Footnotes -Interactive insights
• Audio Commentary with director Julian Jarrold, writer Kevin Hood and producer Robert Bernstein
• Deleted Scenes

Kaboose Review: England, 1795: Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway) is 20 years old and passionate about writing romantic novels, despite the fact that it's not an acceptable profession for a woman of that era.

Her parents, played admirably by Julie Walters and James Cromwell, are pressuring her to marry well and for money. Her father is a clergyman, and if Jane marries a rich man, it's not only her ticket to financial freedom but also her family’s.

The most desirable candidate is Mr. Wisley (Laurence Fox), the upstanding nephew of Lady Gresham (Maggie Smith). But instead, Jane finds herself drawn to the dashing and arrogant Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy), an Irish lawyer who initially scoffs at her country ways. But Tom is not independently wealthy; he subsists on an allowance from his uncle--who promises to cut him off if he marries a country girl.

But  soon enough, sparks fly between Jane and Tom as they engage in a battle-of-wits. He delights in seeing Jane blush at his saucy innuendoes, but she bashes back with witty comebacks that leave Tom impressed and intrigued.

Meanwhile, the grown-ups in Jane’s life are aghast at this turn of events. The very idea that Jane might survive solely on income from her writing is ludicrous, not only to her parents, but also to Lady Gresham and the socialites with whom she keeps company. They encourage Jane to come to her senses, marry the respectable but dull Mr. Wisley, and live happily ever after. "Affection may be desirable, but money is absolutely indisputable," notes her mother. Jane feels a responsibility to support her parents, but believes she can do it from her writing.

Jane Austen history buffs will find that the director and screenwriter have taken many dramatic liberties with her life—much of the love story is most likely fictionalized. The real life Tom and Jane’s "flirtations" only a week or so – hardly enough time for a full-blown romance to blossom. However, the film insinuates that their love affair was the inspiration for the dueling, but made-for-each-other couples found in many of Jane Austin’s most beloved novels like “Pride & Prejudice” and “Sense & Sensibility”.

Even though the film gets weighed down by unnecessary scenes and slightly depressing subject matter in the second act (money woes, life-and-death matters, and lots of sulking), all in all this is a charming film. Hathaway is a lovely romantic heroine, bringing to life the complex Austen we know through her books and the chemistry with McAvoy’s Lefroy is believable. Director Julian Jarrold ("Kinky Boots") brings integrity to the film with beautiful costumes, neatly manicured gardens, and lush landscapes reminiscent of a Merchant/Ivory movie.

Directed by: Julian Jarrold
Cast: Anne Hathaway (Jane Austen), James McAvoy (Tom Lefroy), Julie Walters (Mrs. Austen), James Cromwell (Rev Austen), Maggie Smith (Lady Gresham), Joe Anderson (Henry Austen)

Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries.