Becoming Jane

Rating PG Formats Blu-Ray, DVD Genre drama Starring Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy , Julie Walters, James Cromwell, Maggie Smith Directed by Julian Jarrold Publisher Miramax External Links Becoming Jane Website

Though tales of chivalry suggest otherwise, marrying for love is a relatively new construct in Western society. Less than a century ago, women and girls were property to be married off, educational liabilities, and a burden on family finances. This lingering socio-cultural legacy paved the way for Jane Austen's 18th century novels (Emma, Pride And Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility) to be adapted into films, as marriage continues to provide a riveting forum for debate, storytelling, and evolving rituals.

In Becoming Jane, the beloved literary "chick-flick" tradition is evoked to recount the real-life thwarted romance that influenced Austen's formative years of womanhood and laid the groundwork for the fictional characters she would later bring to life.

"Affection is desirable; money is absolutely indispensable," overworked, bitter Mrs. Austen (who married for love), admonishes her headstrong young daughter (Anne Hathaway), defining the predictable conflict of money vs. love. The young heroine, who would much rather dream up stories than keep a home, becomes the object of affection for the dull but kindly Mr. Wisley (Laurence Fox), heir to a snotty aunt's immense fortune. But before Jane's thrilled mother can seal the deal and ensure prosperity for the Austen clan, Irish ne'er-do-well Tom LeFroy (James McAvoy) saunters onto the scene and shakes up their tidy world.

Though not an obvious choice for Jane Austen, Hathaway competently portrays the poised, naïve heroine torn between providing for her family and following her heart. Likewise, McAvoy, her romantic sparring partner, conveys the arrogance, brashness, and passion of a dissolute young bachelor (hardly a convincing suitor for one of England's most prized authors-to-be, but as their relationship builds it gains plausibility). Starting off on the wrong foot, the two wildly opposite protagonists nevertheless share a passionate intensity, intelligence, and separation from the world around them. McAvoy and Hathaway display an energetic, exciting chemistry that plays out from initial dislike through mild flirtatiousness to wanton desire. Though we know from their first meeting that their overwrought contempt masks intense mutual attraction, it's still a romantically thrilling ride filled with many obstacles and decisions that are from black-and-white.

Costumes are true to the period genre, with the obligatory formal balls allowing the piece to shine with lush, vibrant fabrics and designs. In addition, great care is paid to characterizing Jane at home in drab, working colors that reflect her humble background as a poor minister's daughter.

Nevertheless, some tendencies render Becoming Jane poor (wo)man's Merchant-Ivory. Though clearly giving it her all, Hathaway (who wrote her Vassar thesis on Austin) doesn't quite embody her character's sharp-tongued wit or master the British accent. And voice-over narrated scenes of our heroine maddeningly scribbling the snippets that will eventually become her future novels feel a trifle clichéd.

But as a testament to Jane Austen's passion, feminist independence, and intelligence, Becoming Jane is a moving, bittersweet portrait of a foregone time that retains its footprints beneath the elaborate constructions of our modern era.