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Contains a single use of strong language and mild sex referencesEven in modern day Los Angeles - where 'courtship' might be misconstrued as some sort of legal jargon - the works of Jane Austen still resonate. Maria Bello and Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) are two members of The Jane Austen Book Club, who look to the olde worlde English novelist for clues about their own relationship predicaments. Beyond the premise, there's nothing too surprising about this film from writer/director Robin Swicord, but it is perfectly agreeable.
Bello plays Jocelyn - or is it Emma? Like the heroine of Austen's same-titled novel, she's a know-it-all who fails to comprehend the workings of her own heart. She desperately tries to pair up sci-fi geek Grigg (Hugh Dancy) with pal Sylvia (Amy Brenneman), who's recently ditched by her husband in a subplot that echoes Mansfield Park. The only flaw in Jocelyn's plan is that Grigg is actually in love with her. Then there's the miserable French teacher (Emily Blunt), who feels as though she's living in a gothic novel 脿 la Northhanger Abbey鈥
"THOROUGHLY MODERN"
Understandably, Swicord can't pack in all the intricacies contained within Austen's six novels. Instead she homes in on a few recurring female neuroses which are proved to be timeless. Jocelyn may be a throwback to Emma, but the value she puts on her independence is thoroughly modern, and that is just as relevant as the importance Sylvia attaches to being married. The constant paralleling does feel very contrived, but a decent sprinkling of insights and the sincerity of the acting keeps the story grounded. Delicate moments that blend comedy and tragedy also work well, like a slovenly Sylvia almost getting run down by her ex (and his girlfriend) in a supermarket car park. This film won't endure through the ages, but it can at least offer die hard Austen fans a little guilty pleasure.
The Jane Austen Book Club is out in the UK on 16th November 2007.
Was pleasantly surprised at how often I laughed.
