FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: The Jane Austen Book Club [DVD] [2007]

The Jane Austen Book Club [DVD] [2007]
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: £2.99 as of 22/11/2009 07:29 GMT details You Save: £17.00 (85%) New (21) Used (10) from £2.10 Seller: great_entertainment Rating: 25 reviews Sales Rank: 1416 Format: PAL Languages: Dutch (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), Hindi (Subtitled) 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


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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 iJane Austen Book Club/i 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 iLittle Women/i), 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./p pThere'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. i--A.T. Hurley/i/p

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 25 1 2 3 4 5 Next » 'What would Jane do?' - Watch this movie! March 2, 2008 albie 30 out of 33 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! br / br /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. br / br /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. br / br /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. Great feel good comedy January 3, 2009 A. Minasyan 1 out of 1 found this review helpful I loved this film so much that I felt compelled to read the book on which it is based - and, to my surprise, the film turned out to be almost better! Jane Austen bookclub February 8, 2009 Heidi Hofkes-kay (England) I thought this film was surprisingly good. For a long time I saw the DVD in my local supermarket and thought it to be a poor spin-off. However it has to be said when I did finally see it I thoroughly enjoyed it. The cast is very believable and the characters have each an interesting story to themselves. If ever one is on a low in life a Jane Austen Book club might come as a blessing.. Really enjoyed Jane Austen Bookclub May 8, 2009 Julie E. Duerden Good story line, interesting characters, great acting. Gentle plot that rolls along coming to a satisfying close. A wonderful, feel good, film. July 29, 2009 Ms. H. R. Wilson (U.K) This is a beautiful film which leaves you wanting to rush out and buy any of Austin's books you dont happen to have on your shelf! Really enjoyable, probably a chick flick but your other half might enjoy it too. Get a bottle of wine some nice nibbles, sit back enjoy a film packed with full characters and a lovely simple story. Showing reviews 1-5 of 25 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

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