Becoming Jane

"Becoming Jane" is a so-so film that depicts events which may have shaped the life of author Jane Austen (played by Anne Hathaway). In the movie, Jane's parents (James Cromwell and Julie Walters) are anxious for their daughter to marry, but no one is able to meet Jane's high standards. When Tom (James McAvoy), a brash Irish law student, arrives in town, Jane is instantly irritated by his very presence, à la Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. However, annoyance quickly blossoms into affection, but unfortunately for Jane and Tom, they don't seem destined for a happy ending.

I had high expectations for this film, and was disappointed. I'm not a big fan of Anne Hathaway, and she didn't win me over playing Jane Austen. I didn't sense any real chemistry between Jane and Tom, which pretty much ruined the whole movie. "Becoming Jane" has beautiful scenery, fun costumes, an exquisite musical score, and a great supporting cast, but all that isn't enough to carry this film. My advice is to skip this movie and watch "Pride and Prejudice" instead.

Four and 5 stars? !Huh!
Knowing there isn't enough material available on this great author's life to truthfully put together an entire motion picture, I, nevertheless, expected to get an some insight on how she developed her story lines, and - just maybe - be entertained. Like another reviewer, what I like about Miss Austen's works is the almost metamorphosis her main characters go through as they finally discover the true character of people beneath often misleading facades. Usually the seemingly dull triumphs over the flashy and charming. How then do they have the author falling for Mr. Personality? How does this help her - er you know - become Jane!
While admittedly, the cimetography and cast are impressive, a lush and picturesque nineteenth century scenery and ongoing game of "can you tell which of Miss Austen's characters this person influenced?" can't disguise an exceedingly tedious storyline.
Why didn't it delve more into the close relationship between the author and her sister and the sister's relationship with her fiance. I think a window into the dichtomy of the two sisters' personalities and their love interests would have been more revealing and appropriate to the title.
Brother!! I had to watch this movie in segments, I got so bored. Waaay too Hollywood for me!

The movie may not be justice to the actress Anne Hathaway,
as Jane Austin had blues eyes and seems to be rather plump in pictures of her.
Her mind and her early poverty was what made her both a good writer and an old maid.
The movie is well acted and set for her youth at Steventon.
From her early works it was difficult to say that she would ever become
a popular author. There is little doubt that she had a very understanding heart and could express it artistically by the time Emma came off
her pen. Her heart was broken by the times and the lack of fortune,
not by Tom Lefroy...

This isn't the true story of Jane Austin but a beautiful concoction based loosely on facts that does Jane Austin justice. You have the educated women not of her century you have the enticing misunderstood man and you have the exploration of socially acceptable customs of the era. Its like a version of a Jane novel and I loved it. If you are at all like me and enjoy time period pieces and beautiful love stories than give Becoming Jane a chance.

The story moves along, in Jane Austin style, with a tendency to follow parts of other Jane Austin stories (most notably, parts of Sense & Sensibility, parts of Pride & Prejudice) which is a nice mirror to how she created the stories. However, as the second half moves along, the story is led down the predictable hollywood-style ending. While not offensive, and with a good cast, this enjoyable movie is not particularly memorable. An enjoyable, if forgettable, experience.