becoming jane review

[somersaulter]

I love this movie. So much. I couldn't stop crying long after the credits rolled.

To be completely frank, I did not like the beginning of the movie. Too many times I spot something that would remind me of Pride and Prejudice, and it feels too much like a second-rate copy of the epic story of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. And Anne Hathaway playing one of the greatest authors in history does take some getting used to. But eventually, the movie takes off in a completely different direction from Pride and you simply follow, enthralled and seduced by its charms.

If you really must compare, this one is definitely bolder and wilder, in between talk of sex and Lefroy getting beaten up in matches. It might be not be smart as Pride was (it would take a lot to top that), and its humor isn't quite as subtly pleasing, more of in-your-face laughs, but no doubt just as enjoyable. The doomed relationship tears your heart apart in the later part of the movie as the couple faces one obstruction after another, not unlike Jane Austen's characters. You know there is never a happy ending for this one, but well, I, at least, keep hoping for the possible best. Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy have such wonderful chemistry that you can't quite help but root for them, tragic as you know the ending will be.

The best way to enjoy it though (especially you Jane Austen fanatics out there), is to ignore the facts for a while. No one really knew if Jane Austen and Tom Lefroy ever fell in love, so let your imagination run for a while. The film never claims to be a biopic, only serving as a beautiful yet tragic romantic piece to add to the period dramas. Just sink into the film and enjoy it as a good story.

But then again, take my review with a pinch of salt. I'm a sucker for these period pieces. They can do no wrong.

Oh, by the way, anyone has the soundtrack to this? I have a feeling it's not in stores here yet. Or maybe someone could upload some similar instrumental pieces for me? Maybe the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack? I left mine at home. Damn. Just when I'm in the mood.

Comments

[memoryfloodsin.livejournal.com]

I'd like to see Becoming Jane. I think I'd like it, if I could get past an American playing one of the greatest Brits ever. I think James would be awesome though. He's so brilliant in anything he's in. And I wouldn't mind ignoring the facts. Unlike in the movie version of Pride, which I couldn't bear to watch since my flatmate who is a HUGE P & P fan, and knows I am cried with how horrid the film was. I shall have to be sticking to the BBC adaption for my P&P fix.

[somersaulter.livejournal.com]

Ahh, I preferred the BBC version too, even though I have to admit the 2005 version was visually stunning and oh-so-pretty.

And yes, James is amazing. This is the first movie I've watched of him, what other do you recommend?

[memoryfloodsin.livejournal.com]

Jess said the movie would be fine as a romance, but as an adaptation it's shocking. So I'm staying away from it.

Anything, absolutely anything you can see him in. I'm soooo in love with his performance in Narnia, because he's exactly how I imagined Mr Tumnus.

[lingering.livejournal.com]

I want to see this so bad, but it's not showing locally.

So I reread my Austin collection. XD

[somersaulter.livejournal.com]

Actually it's not showing here as well, I downloaded it. Let me know if you want me to point you in the right direction. ;)

[lingering.livejournal.com]

Please, feel free to point. Madly. XD

[seewhoiam.livejournal.com]

I might watch this later, is it depressing? Cause watching depressing movies at night doesn´t do me any good lol. Oh well, looks good anyway :P

[somersaulter.livejournal.com]

Well, I have to say that yes, it's rather heartbreaking towards the end, but it's still good nevertheless. Do watch it.

[killerstatue.livejournal.com]

yay, I really liked this too! I was really sad that it didn't end happily :( They should have been together! I was going to fangirl it after I watched it online but I must have forgot. A very good film, I adoreadore James Mcavoy, I'm currently trying to see all of his films. Anne Hathaway was good but it bugs me that the part was played by an english actress.

[somersaulter.livejournal.com]

Yeah! They should have ignored the half-facts altogether and give them a happy ending! =P

James McAvoy is awesome! What other of his films have you seen? Any recommendations?

[unmixy.livejournal.com]

I absolutely fell in love with this movie. My sister wanted to see it and I was like 'lame' but I went anyway, and oh my god. I don't care if it was accurate, it was cute and it made me wanna die. And now I love James McAvoy. So there.

And you should make that little picture into an icon because I want an icon.

[somersaulter.livejournal.com]

I went in without expectations too. My friend has been bashing this movie non-stop because she hates the factual inaccuracies in it. But I really ended up loving the movie.

And icons! This small batch is the first icons I've made since March! But this movie has really inspired me. Hee. I'm probably gonna do more (when it's not 3am). Here's some for you, just because you asked for it. ;)



They're all similar. I was just experimenting and trying to get my groove back. Let me know which ones you like and don't like. Gosh I miss playing around with PS.

[unmixy.livejournal.com]

I am taking the first one and the 5th one. Love them!

[carrine.livejournal.com]

I'm dieing to see this movie!

I already couldn't wait, but your review just made me want to see it even more.

I haven't actually seen Pride and Prejudice, so I have nothing to compare it too.

By the way, that picture is so pretty!

[somersaulter.livejournal.com]

Hee, sorry for making you "die" more. Hope you get to see it soon. I actually downloaded it 'cos it isn't showing in cinemas here. Dumb, right? Such a great movie yet so little publicity. Let me know if you need me to upload it or something. ;)

[carrine.livejournal.com]

wow, apparently it's actually playing at the mall. The theatre at the mall has pretty much sold it's soul, usually it *only* plays the biggest, most "crowd-pleasing", franchise movies available.

It's got 9 screens, and for over a month Shrek 3, Pirates 3, and Ocean's 13 were the only things playing, on 3 screens each.

So that was a pointless comment, I'm just really really surprised their playing something so small and different.

Anyway, I'm going to try to see it in theatres, but right now my schedule isn't looking to open, so I may just take you up on that offer to upload.

[somersaulter.livejournal.com]

The theatre here plays quite a range of movies, even a bomb like License To Wed, and some random French movies every once in a while, but just no Becoming Jane. Grr.

I'm in my dorm now and on the university network, so uploading is really tricky, but I can do it over the weekend when I go home, if you don't mind waiting. =)

[carrine.livejournal.com]

oh, I don't mind waiting. Actually, that'd be better in case I do get a chance to see it I don't want you to have to go through the trouble. I doubt I'll get a chance to watch before this weekend anyway. Thank you so much for offering though!

[santacarlagypsy.livejournal.com]

This is definitely next on my movies-to-see list. And for more reasons than just the fact that I completely adore James McAvoy....

[somersaulter.livejournal.com]

Ooh yes, he's adorable.

And OMG ICON LOVE. Dean/Jess/Sam FTW.

[santacarlagypsy.livejournal.com]

I ♥ Dean/Jess/Sam...

misty_creates made this. You should check out her icons. Dean/Jess/Sam is a favorite of hers, too. So she tends to make quite a few icons of the three of them together.