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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.

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   6,195 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Robin Swicord
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:
Drama | Romance more
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
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(22 articles)
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User Comments:
Very nice! Sensable AND sensitive more

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:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Kathy Baker was originally cast as Sky, Prudie's mother. more
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Allegra is separating eggs for the flan, she puts the first couple yolks in the bowl with the whites, defeating the purpose of separating them. more
Quotes:
Editor: Dear Ms. Corrine Mahern, we regret that we must decline to publish the three short stories you sent to us. 'Benny's Basketball' is strong narratively, but the depiction of your penis-waving retarded boy felt a little unkind. And isn't the title 'Separating Eggs For Flan' a bit obvious as a metaphor for your parents' divorce? Yet we confess that 'Skydiver' puzzled us most. Why would a beautiful, self-centered young lesbian jump out of a plane? more
Movie Connections:
References Brigadoon (1954) more
Soundtrack:
Getting Some Fun Out of Life more

FAQ

[SPOILER] How does the book club influence the characters' lives?
more
12 out of 17 people found the following comment 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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Very disrespectful movie andiered
BAHAHA did anyone else get it?! iBrandon
Favourite Character monarchgirl-1
Why did this movie bomb? Gittes74
Scifi book? Figwit
Prudie + Student completely inappopriate LyndaKenn
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