IMDb > The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)
The Jane Austen Book Club
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The Jane Austen Book Club (2007) More at IMDbPro »

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The Jane Austen Book Club (2007) -- Six Californians start a club to discuss the works of Jane Austen, only to find their relationships -- both old and new -- begin to resemble 21st century versions of her novels.
The Jane Austen Book Club (2007) -- MyMovies.Net - Clip - The book club (WMV)

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Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   7,219 votes
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Down 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Robin Swicord (screenplay)
Karen Joy Fowler (book)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Jane Austen Book Club on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
5 October 2007 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
You don't have to know the books to be in the club. more
Plot:
Six Californians start a club to discuss the works of Jane Austen, only to find their relationships -- both old and new -- begin to resemble 21st century versions of her novels. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(37 articles)
Knight and Day Movie Poster
 (From Filmofilia. 21 December 2009, 12:20 PM, PST)

Sony Picture Classics Embraces Mother and Child
 (From Makingof.com. 2 November 2009, 1:18 PM, PST)

User Reviews:
Very nice! Sensable AND sensitive more (40 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Maria Bello ... Jocelyn

Emily Blunt ... Prudie Drummond

Kathy Baker ... Bernadette

Amy Brenneman ... Sylvia Avila

Maggie Grace ... Allegra Avila

Jimmy Smits ... Daniel Avila

Ed Brigadier ... Pastor

Kevin Zegers ... Trey

Marc Blucas ... Dean Drummond

Catherine Schreiber ... Academic Woman

Ned Hosford ... Waiter

Hugh Dancy ... Grigg Harris
Messy Stench ... Girl with Dog Collar
Chris Burket ... Skydive Instructor
Parisa Fitz-Henley ... Corinne
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, sexual content, brief strong language and some drug use.
Runtime:
106 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The order of the books are: - February: Emma - March: Mansfield Park - April: Northanger Abbey - May: Pride & Prejudice - June: Sense & Sensibility - July: Persuasion. more
Goofs:
Errors in geography: Sacramento isn't even close to an ocean beach with breakers. It's at least a two to three hour drive. more
Quotes:
Daniel Avila: I was just thinking about something Allegra said at Jocelyn's the other day...so we're talking about how we all need to have connection, you know, conversation, sex, companionship, and Allegra says, "Well, you get all that from Mommy." I have to tell you, it really made me sad.
Sylvia Avila: Aw, baby, she'll find somebody.
Daniel Avila: No, it made me sad for us, because I've been struggling with whether a marriage can sustain all of that over, uh, over 20+ years or if it's just inevitable that after a certain amount of time-- maybe being with somebody else can have a renewing effect...
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
References Mansfield Park (1999) more
Soundtrack:
Save Me more

FAQ

[SPOILER] How does the book club influence the characters' lives?
more
13 out of 18 people found the following review useful.
Very nice! Sensable AND sensitive, 15 November 2007
8/10
Author: bopdog from Cardiff, Wales

I have never read Jane Austin. Although I did have a senior Librarian at the British Library, where I am a "registered" scholar-reader, crack a funny and original joke about her to me once. The joke was slow, off-the-cuff (he made it up on the spot), and so droll in the way he told it "au naturel" and spontaneous. HE probably was chortling for the rest of the day. For him it probably was the height of hilarity. I was impressed, and charmed, even though the joke itself was pretty mild. Much like this movie.

The modern day Jane Austen book club members act out love lives and turmoil (and triumphs) very much in parallel with a Jane Austin book, as I understand their plots to be (I have seen them all in movies, but never in print). This reminded me of Shakespeare in Love, where the modern writers performed a brilliant art that went beyond mere parroting or mimicry. I suspect a Jane Austen reader/fan would recognize much, and see in-jokes and intelligent references that I missed. But, I think it is saying something good about the movie to note that I learned something about Austin's books, but also followed the plot, was thoroughly entertained and interested throughout, and felt a involved with what happened. Again, I'm not part of the Austin cognoscenti, but I at least felt "in on the jokes" and in on the plot as well. I was included by the movie.

Some of the plot points veered toward the girlie for a moment, but never completely went off down that road. That is, with the chatty older lady Kathy Baker's character initially showing contempt for men, and hints of a lesbian theme, at first I was ready for a rant. Or at least a put-down of males, like the last 10 minutes of "Steel Magnolias." But everybody lightened up, and basically respect and affection was shown to all, ultimately. Although, returning for a moment to the lesbian thing, I did not for one minute actually buy that the daughter, Allegra, was gay--- not that there would be anything wrong with that (note the Seinfeld reference). But as a comment on the movie, on the narrative and the portrayals, it just didn't FEEL real or true. Not even "movie true." But the actors were competent and otherwise convincing, all around, so I found myself able to dismiss that dissonant note with relative ease.

If you are a guy, don't be afraid of this movie. It's pleasant, and about real-enough things that concern us, too. After all, for most of us, relationships involve men and women, so here's something that is a bit about both, but the perspective is nonetheless clearly from the distaff side, which intrigued me. I enjoyed it! BTW--- I went to a special "art series" showing at the cinema where I am visiting. I went alone. Throughout the movie, however, I could hear many female voices laughing, and seemingly chuckling with agreement when certain truths and characters' foibles were brought to light--- and never in a mean way. So maybe it rings true for the ladies as well.

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