Movie Review: Becoming Jane

When Austenblog reported that there was an advance screening of Becoming Jane in town, I had to go. Sure, the logline brings on a twitching fit (”Their love story was her greatest inspiration”) but it was a great opportunity for a girls’ night out — and free!

JASNA’s web site features an excellent article: “Becoming Jane: Sorting Fact from Fiction.” So much has been said about this film already; without repeating others too much, here are some of my observations. (Spoilers follow after the jump.)

I was disappointed that the film chose to view Jane Austen through the narrow perspective of a failed (and mostly invented) love story. That emphasis diminished the value of her novels and the rest of her family and friends to her life. At the film’s conclusion, we see Jane in her 30s (certainly prior to 1813, as Eliza de Feuillide is still alive and well), a wan and melancholy shell of the vibrant girl she was during her affair with Mr. Lefroy. It was as though the film were saying: sure, she was this great writer, but she would have much rather have spent her years with Tom Lefroy, and had thought about him every moment since they parted.

I also tried to consider Becoming Jane on its merits as simply a chick flick or costume drama. But regardless of subject, it’s very difficult to enjoy this sort of film when one doesn’t like the main characters. Given the biographies I’ve read, the letters, and my take on the novels, this was a very different depiction of Jane Austen. This Jane was an affected hoyden lacking intelligence and depth. She made a few pithy comments, but they felt like lines; the words lacked conviction. She was a little too impressed with her own cleverness which, given the opportunity to observe and listen to her, was highly overrated. I couldn’t believe that the real Jane would behave and speak like this character did. And this Tom Lefroy was a self-indulgent weasel; despite a couple of “pat the dog” moments, for the most part his conduct was the very opposite of everything Jane Austen’s heroes are. The true hero was Mr. Wisley, a shy but deep young gentleman who would inherit a fortune. By adding his character to the story one is led to think that Jane could have married for love and financial security, just like her heroines, but she was too shallow or dense to realize it! The fact that Jane (supposedly such a shrewd judge of character) couldn’t appreciate what a great guy he was made me even less impressed with her.

Generally, the film suspended disbelief and excluded facts to maintain the plot: in particular, several of Jane’s brothers are omitted so the Austens appear poorer than they really were as well as to simplify the complicated and lengthy courtship of Henry Austen and Eliza de Feuillide. The conclusion’s setting is also uncertain (to put it kindly); as Pride and Prejudice was published only four months before Eliza’s death, it is unlikely that Jane would be recognized in public by fans — or have any fans at all — when Eliza would have still been well enough to attend concerts or other public entertainment with her cousin/sister-in-law.

Becoming Jane was essentially the same old story of a girl passing up Mr. Right in favor of a jerk (with a few scenes about writing patched on to customize it). It’s always a shame to see Jane Austen’s novels reduced to nothing more than love stories on film, and it’s disappointing to see her life receive the same treatment.

Audiences in search of romance, a weepy ending, lovely costumes in a lush setting, and not terribly picky about accuracy may find Becoming Jane to their liking. As for Jane Austen fans who would be irritated by excessive suspension of disbelief, I suggest catching this one for free or wait for the video … or better yet, find a nice little bar and grill next to the movie theater where you can enjoy a great cheeseburger and chat about much more satisfying films. That was definitely the high point of our evening!

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 02nd, 2007 at 5:00pm and is filed under jane austen, reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.