 |
The Jane Austen Book Club
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
DVD Cover InformationActor: Bello, Blunt, Brenneman Brand: Sony DVD: Region Code 99 Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1 Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen Picture Format: 1.77:1 Running Time: 106 minutes DVD Release Date: 2008-02-05 Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Studio: Sony Pictures
Movie Reviews of The Jane Austen Book ClubMovie Review: Funny and cute Summary: 4 StarsIf you ever wanted to get a quick snapshot of most annoying things that happens in everyone's life, watch the start of the movie. It is so funny I could not stop giggling. But then the movie itself is just wonderful. It is smart and funny, it is all too human. There are so many characters but none feels neglected throughout the entire movie. Whoever wrote this screenplay was a smart person because no matter how long ago Jane Austen lived, her books are still affecting our moidern lives.
The usual happy ending is a dead give away that this is a chick flick. But with all the laughter, it is actualy the kind of movie I recommed to anyone seeking to relax.
Summary of The Jane Austen Book ClubAn all star cast joins acclaimed director/writer Robin Swicord (writer - Little Women, Memoirs of a Geisha) in this critically acclaimed film Six Californians start a club to discuss the works of Jane Austen, only to find their relationships - both old and new - begin to resemble 21st century versions of her novels. Stars Kathy Baker (Cider House Rules), Maria Bello (A History of Violence), Emily Blunt (Devil Wears Prada), Amy Brennemen (Juding Amy), Jimmy Smits (Star Wars Episodes 1-3). Lest there be any doubts about the ongoing relevance of the novels of Jane Austen, the charming Jane Austen Book Club will lay them to rest--with wit, sharp insight, and a wicked chuckle or three. Directed by the talented Robin Swicord, who adapted the book by Karen Joy Fowler (and also wrote the crackling screenplay for the 1994 version of Little Women), the film is a modern-day comedy of manners, with deeply felt emotions, repressed feelings, unquenched desire and embarrassing relatives--all staples of Austen works. The film centers on a group of six friends in Sacramento, Calif., who gather to distract themselves from loss (a newly dumped Sylvia, played with grace and quiet pain by Amy Brenneman), repressed disappointment (the prissy teacher Prudie, played by Emily Blunt), or a life of unrealized dreams (Jocelyn, played by Maria Bello, whose acting skills have gained great nuance, both in comedy and drama). All are devoted Austen fans, except the lone man, Grigg (Hugh Dancy, adorable and available, ladies), who has an ulterior motive for joining the chick-lit gang. As the months unfold, we learn about the relationships of all the members, and watch as elements of Austen's novels and characters pop up with enchanting regularity. There's plenty of pride (Prudie), prejudice (Jocelyn), sense (Sylvia), and sensibility (Sylvia's daughter Allegra, headstrong and reckless in life and love, played by Maggie Grace)--and a fair amount of persuasion (Grigg and Sylvia's caddish ex, Daniel, a smooth Jimmy Smits). As the minuet of relationships and alliances unfolds over the months, the emotions are real and the leavening humor spot-on. About the only thing that doesn't ring true is seeing all these Sacramento women bundled up in shawls, blankets, thick sweaters and extra layers--even in July(!). Still, the film will engage even reluctant Austen readers (if there is such a thing). As Kathy Baker's Bernadette says gaily, "Jane Austen is the perfect antidote to life!" Elizabeth Bennett couldn't have put it better. --A.T. Hurley Stills from The Jane Austen Book Club (click for larger image)
|
 |