Telling the true story of a pre-famous Jane Austen and her romance with an unlikely Irishman, Becoming Jane is a drama that captures your heart and soul and actually leaves you wanting more.
Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway) is a young woman far ahead of her time. In a time when marriages valued money more than love, Austen fights both her parents and society as she refuses to marry the man that her parents have arranged for her. Constantly at ends with her mother (Julie Walters), Jane takes pride in the ability to write, and though no one else sees a future in her pen, Jane knows that she is destined to entertain with her ability. Then, an Irishman (James McAvoy) arrives causing Jane to feel the love and longing that she has always written about. The only problem, he doesn't come from money like her parents are looking for.
Going into this film I had a preconceived notion that it would be a 'chick flick' with a strong story-centered plot, and I was dead on. What I was wrong about was the fact that I actually enjoyed it.
Anne Hathaway has really garnered her respect over her last few films. From Brokeback Mountain to The Devil Wears Parada, Hathaway has gained America's attention by showing that she is more than a face. In the film, Hathaway successfully takes on the persona of the confused Jane Austen, and she is able to portray a woman struggling to be recognized in a man-centered culture perfectly. Surrounded by an amazing supporting cast (including the amazing Maggie Smith), the film shines.
At times the film lags due to the slowly developing 'true' story and the 'been there, done that' generic module. However, the acting and cinematography help overshadow this small hiccup and allow the film to go on unpunished. In the end, the film is great, and really shows the range that stars such as Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy possess, leaving us to believe that the futures for both are bright.
