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| Becoming Jane | 
 enlarge | Director: Julian Jarrold
Actors: Philip Culhane, Jessica Ashworth, Eleanor Methven, Elaine Murphy, Russell Smith
Studio: MIRAMAX
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.99
Buy New: $7.42
You Save: $22.57 (75%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $7.42
Avg. Customer Rating:  (175 reviews)
Sales Rank: 839
Format: Ac-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Ntsc, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 120 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.7
MPN: DISD54104D
UPC: 786936731927
EAN: 0786936731927
ASIN: B000ZIZ0RA
Release Date: February 12, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Romantic entertainment September 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
We enjoy Jane Austin novels and thought this would be worth having. The performance level is good, not great, but it is fun and very entertaining for Jane Austin fans.
 Disappointing September 1, 2008
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
I'm surprised this movie is averaging at 4 stars.
The actors did their job but something went amiss either in the script or in the editing room. I didn't find the love story convincing at all, and that was the main focus of the movie. This movie was rather haphazard. The scenes that could have been developed and dramatic passed by the opportunity and had no sizzle, while "filler" scenes used up precious time. Too bad.
Spirited movie August 31, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
While I love the works of Jane Austen, I do not claim to know much about her life. I've heard of the historical ambiguity of the idea and I will not make any judgments on accuracy.
But, gosh dern it, this made a darling little story.
Here we see a young, pre-Pride and Prejudice Jane struggling with her poor family. It's nothing truly terrible--they get by, big sister Cassandra is engaged, and brother Henry is a soldier. But of course they are always looking for money to get by; once Jane's parents die, she will have no money whatsoever.
But she won't fear. She's an independent woman with the confidence to believe that she could survive on her writing. This isn't a popular notion, and everyone around her would prefer to settle down with the local nobility's nice young nephew. Alas, Miss Jane wants romance! Which impromptuly comes in the form of a penniless law student. Sparks fly and the next thing we know Jane and Tom are head-over-heels in love. It's a cute, fun romance reminiscent of the romance of her own novels--it actually inspires her to write them! Do not forget, however, that Jane is poor and lives in a world where money is necessary.
I honestly did not expect much when I entered the theatre. To be honest, it's not the best. The filming aims for a more artsy side which doesn't always make it through and Ms. Hathaway's English accent isn't quite perfect. There were scenes that many viewers might consider boring. But the characters are determined to make a good movie and they march through to earn some well-deserved applause.
What I think made it work was not only some more-than-decent performances, but a discussion of ideals and reality. Jane gives a marvelous definition of irony that weaves its way through the movie as a motif. The role of the woman is discussed. And then there is the age-old debate of love vs. security. In many ways this is not a happy movie (I cried), but it is honest story-telling, even if not historically accurate.
If you're looking for a good drama and a glance at the possible personality of one the most famous female authors ever, this will be a great choice.
 Worth seeing for McAvoy's performance August 31, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I had the opportunity this week to see Becoming Jane, starring Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy. I found myself enjoying it quite a bit.
The story purportedly tells of an early, real-life romantic interest of Jane Austen, the author of such English classics as Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility. It reminded me a bit of Shakespeare in Love, as the story tried to illustrate how Austen's personal experiences might have influenced her later works, giving her a rich human tapestry from which to draw her characters. The greater part of the film's story is unsupported by facts (we know very little of Austen's personal life), but presents a picture of what could have happened to a young Jane Austen.
Basically, Austen (Hathaway) meets Tom Lefroy (McAvoy), who is studying to be a barrister in London. (He's been sentenced to a month or two in the country by his rich uncle - on whom he depends - for his misbehavior in town.) Of course, the two dislike each other at first, and find only upon further conversation that they have a certain chemistry. It isn't long before Austen is kissing LeFroy with passion, asking him afterwards if she did it well.
Of course, complications ensue. Austen is being pressured by her broke family to make a good match, and she has an offer of marriage from a wealthy local young man (and his querulous aunt, played by Maggie Smith). LeFroy hasn't a penny to his name, and he has his own immediate family back in Ireland depending upon him for support. You can see that this doesn't bode well for the two young lovers.
Though the movie can be uneven at times, James McAvoy is something to see in this film. I'd never seen him before in an anchor role, and (to be honest) I'd wondered in the past what all the fuss was about him. I don't think he is particularly good looking, he didn't seem super-charismatic in the interviews I'd read, etc. But, then again, I hadn't REALLY seen him act. He is wonderful. By the end of the movie, the viewer is in love with LeFroy more than Austen.
An inoffensive movie. Though certainly not a must-see, it's worth watching for McAvoy's performance.
What if... August 25, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Becoming Jane is a great romantic story, even if it didn't really happen. The characters are interesting and charming. The direction is well done. The acting is good, although, I would have preferred an English actress for the lead. Overall, it is a good movie and will satisfy the need for a little British costume drama.
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