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Six months. Six novels. Six members. The Jane Austen Book Club takes reading the classics to new heights of passion in this romantic comedy featuring an all-star cast. When five women and one man get together to discuss the English writers beloved novels, they realize the heartaches of Emma, Mr. Darcy and the Bennet sisters are not so different from their own. Finding comfort, wit and wisdom from the pages and each other, they discover that, in matters of love, all they need to ask is: What would Jane do?
AMAZON.COM
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 Austens novels and characters pop up with enchanting regularity.
Theres plenty of pride (Prudie) , prejudice (Jocelyn) , sense (Sylvia) , and sensibility (Sylvias daughter Allegra, headstrong and reckless in life and love, played by Maggie Grace) --and a fair amount of persuasion (Grigg and Sylvias 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 doesnt 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 Bakers Bernadette says gaily, "Jane Austen is the perfect antidote to life!" Elizabeth Bennett couldnt have put it better. --A.T. Hurley
Stills from The Jane Austen Book Club (click for larger image)
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About the Author
Bello is a human rights activist and her foundation, WeAdvance provided critical information online to people in poverty. Along with her partner, Bello has a production company, Ground Seven Entertainment - grounded stories from seven continents with female and diverse led characters. She has written a TV series called Relief and is in the process of producing a pilot. As well as acting and producing, she is writing her second book and plays her most important role which is as a mother to her teenage son. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.
