Becoming Jane, or What's Becoming My Daily Jane Austen Post

[plumapen]

Hiya Janeite flisters and anyone else who might be interested!

Is anyone planning on checking out this new movie, Becoming Jane? It's historicized fiction (think Shakespeare in Love) and opens this Friday in the UK; August 3 in the US (more release dates here). Thus, it looks I won't be able to catch it in theatres which is a bit of a bummer

Comments

[englaroma]

Mmm... I don't think I'd like to go.
I love most Jane Austen movies (especially the six-hour version of P&P! *swoons*), but this film sounds a lot like those over-romantisized stories that try to sell themselves with a famous name. Sorry, but if I watch a film about Jane Austen, I'd like it to be one that is really about her, and not the altered version that is upposed to interest the majority.

But if you see and like it, I might be convinced. I'd say your opinion can be trusted there. ;)

[plumapen]

That's my big fear about it too. I've never been able to get myself to watch Shakespeare in Love either, so who knows when, if ever, I get around to watching this. I probably should just to be informed professionally; we'll see. If I do, I'm quite certain I'll let you all know. :D

[norus]

I think my Lizzies and I are going to see it and heckle.

My problem with it is that it seems to imply she based Darcy on her almost-marriage; whereas I've always read Persuasion like it's about her life - the whole accept-proposal-then-turn-down-next-day-then-never-receive-another-one thing rings true with Austen's own life, I find myself wondering if Persuasion is what she wishes would happen to her.

...so I expect to find it annoying, but think we'll end up seeing it out of sheer curiosity (like the new P&P. I knew I'd hate that but I had to see it.)

[plumapen]

Oooh yay! I'd love to hear your opinion on it as, hello, I trust your judgment on all matters Jane. ;)

I said in one of my replies above, that review seemed fairly positive which is what intrigued me. I, too, have been under the impression they're implying she based Darcy on Tom Lefroy. Judging from her letters, I know she was pretty keen on him for some time, but still...

Re Persuasion, something I've recently read (or maybe watched?) said she did like the idea of being a sailor's wife. That aside, I agree; Persuasion reads quite personally raw at times so that I do wonder if she patterned anything of Anne after herself.