The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)

Director:

Robin Swicord

Writers (WGA):

Robin Swicord (screenplay)
Karen Joy Fowler (book)

Release Date:

5 October 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

You don't have to know the books to be in the club.

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.

Plot Keywords:

Skydiving | Jane Austen | Book Club | Affair | Rhodesian Ridgeback

Awards:

2 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sun. Feb. 14	9:00 PM	LIFE
Sun. Feb. 14	11:00 PM	LIFE

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

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, sexual content, brief strong language and some drug use.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Canada:PG | Ireland:PG | UK:12A | Germany:o.Al. | South Korea:15 | Singapore:M18 | Netherlands:AL | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Spain:7 | New Zealand:M

Filming Locations:

Encino, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Mockingbird Pictures

Trivia:

The order of the books are: - February: Emma - March: Mansfield Park - April: Northanger Abbey - May: Pride & Prejudice - June: Sense & Sensibility - July: Persuasion.

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.

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...
[...]

Movie Connections:

References Mansfield Park (1999)

Soundtrack:

Save Me

Very nice! Sensable AND sensitive

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.