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The Jane Austen Book Club [2007] | ![The Jane Austen Book Club [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51avt87164L._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Robin Swicord
Actors: Kevin Zegers, Jimmy Smits, Maria Bello, Kathy Baker, Hugh Dancy
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: £19.99
Buy New: £3.30
You Save: £16.69 (83%)
New (20) Used (4) from £3.30
Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 220
Format: Pal
Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region: 2
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 101 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5035822693531
ASIN: B0011MPHPO
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: March 17, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Factory sealed and brand new / will ship same day where possible if payment received by 3pm
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk
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 centres on a group of six friends in Sacramento, California, 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 unrealised 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 Austen's novels and characters pop up with enchanting regularity. There's plenty of pride (Prudie), prejudice (Jocelyn), sense (Sylvia), and sensibility (Sylvia's daughter Allegra, headstrong and reckless in life and love, played by Maggie Grace)--and a fair amount of persuasion (Grigg and Sylvia's 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 humour spot-on. About the only thing that doesn't 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 Baker's Bernadette says gaily, "Jane Austen is the perfect antidote to life!" Elizabeth Bennett couldn't have put it better. --A.T. Hurley
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 Ok September 3, 2008
New feelings (UK)
0 out of 8 found this review helpful
I can tell is an ok movie recommended for women to watch and who have read Jane Austen's books.
 good enough to watch twice July 15, 2008
dan the fan (england,uk)
17 out of 18 found this review helpful
This is inevitably a literate film given that the centrepiece of the storyline is a book club about Jane Austin novels.A young man is invited into the club by some much older women in an attempt to get him to date one of their friends whose marriage is breaking up.You'll enjoy this film if you like listening to what people say to one another but if you're looking for steaming hot sex scenes or action of any other kind then look elsewhere.
 A winner July 13, 2008
B. Giles (England)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Thoroughly enjoyed this, beautifully acted by all, and of course some wonderful eye candy. Grigg's horror-house was a bit silly tho' - I didn't feel it quite suited the character. I loved how even the indifferent men joined the Club at the end, though it never said what books they were doing after they'd finished the Austen ones ! Going to watch this again - I rented it first and I think I may buy.......
Pleasantly surprised March 27, 2008
Alias Angelique (London)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful
I'm not a huge Jane Austen fan (I've read one of her books and seen screen adaptations of two of her books). I expected this film to be contrived and pretentious however I was surprised to discover that I did enjoy this film. It's well written with good performances. The character's stories parallels Jane Austen's plotline but it was done in a subtle, funny way so it wasn't too "in your face". For romantic comedies fans or for anyone wanting something lighthearted and uplifting, I would definitely recommend this film.
 'What would Jane do?' - Watch this movie! March 2, 2008
albie
22 out of 25 found this review helpful
I knew that my reason for forking out the money to see this film rested purely on the basis that it had the words 'Jane Austen' in the title and that I'm easy prey when it comes to all things Jane related, consequently my expectations were rather low when I started watching this film; I expected it to be trashy but sufficiently Austen-filled to keep me content, well, in many respects it was but it was also so much more!
The Jane Austen Book Club achieves a rare balance which I am sure will keep Austen fans and and novices alike engaged with the plot. Each of the female leads offer a warm and realistic depiction of women at different stages of their lives, struggling with the demands of life and identifying with female characters written almost two centuries ago. Their engagement with Austen's characters works to highlight a sorority and timelessness among women, Prudie in particular as the outsider of the women proved a particularly interesting character. It is for me, however, the character of Grigg, the film's foremost male lead, who steals the show, stopping it short of becoming just another 'chick-flick' and adding another layer of depth to the film.
The film is called The Jane Austen Book Club but thankfully dodges concerning itself wholly with Austen's books, which means you needn't have read the books to enjoy the film. Indeed, even the most die-hard Austen fan can be induced to forgive the film's loose handling of the plot of Austen's Persuasion for the sake of the main story. It is a delightful story with some truly wonderful moments and I would encourage anyone, male and female alike, to give it a go.
Be that as it may, I am biased. I love all of Austen's books, Grigg's sci-fi knowledge had me fondly recalling my teenage years, especially when he talks about Buffy and Ursula Le Guin, and with Snow Patrol on the soundtrack I was delirious with happiness. If I hadn't personally responded to these elements I'd probably have given this movie a 4-star rating. But I did so top marks all the way.
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