Most of the movies we have reviewed so far have targeted a male audience. I felt it was about time to screen a film aimed at the ladies. I went to see ‘The Jane Austen Book Club’ with my parents and my wife on a recent trip to Indianapolis, and I am giving it a ‘thumbs up.’
The film is about a six-person group that gathers each week to discuss one of Jane Austen’s six novels. Five of the members are women, leaving the unusually named Grigg (Hugh Dancy) as the lone shot of testosterone. The club is started by Bernadette (Kathy Baker), a middle-aged six-time divorcee. She recruits her friends Jocelyn (Maria Bello), who is closed off to the possibilities or romance in her own life, and Sylvia (Amy Brenneman), who is newly divorced. Sylvia’s lesbian daughter Allegra (Maggie Grace) and emotionally stunted Prudie (Emily Blunt) round out the club.
Each character has an emotional issue to deal with. Bernadette wants to find a seventh husband. Sylvia is devastated when her husband Daniel (Brenneman’s former ‘NYPD Blue’ co-star Jimmy Smits) confesses to an affair and announces that he is leaving her for his new girlfriend. Jocelyn masks her own insecurities about love by trying to find a new man for Sylvia. That man turns out to be Grigg, who mistakes her friendliness for flirting. Allegra is devastated to learn of ulterior motives of her girlfriend. High school teacher Prudie is torn between a sense of commitment to her failing marriage and the growing attraction she has for one of her students.
The cast in this film is exquisite from top to bottom. Blunt’s tortured performance is worthy of an Oscar nod. She brought Prudie’s full range of emotions to the surface, from the resignation she felt at the beginning to the passion she began to experience as she explored her feelings for Trey (Kevin Zegers). Baker was wonderful as the club’s quirky ring leader Bernadette. She brought levity to each situation. Grace showed off her versatility as an actress, playing a far different character than the immature whiner Shannon she portrayed on the hit TV show ‘Lost’.
Director-screenwriter Robin Swicord, who also lists ‘Memoirs Of A Geisha’ and ‘Little Women’ among her writing credits, smoothly incorporated both dramatic and comedic elements into the story. The highlight was a touching scene near the end featuring Prudie and her husband Dean (Marc Blucas).
This film is not for everyone, and will almost certainly be dismissed by men who have no interest in the film's content. Sadly, they will miss out on an emotionally resonant and highly entertaining film.
Other Hugh Dancy Movies
Other Kathy Baker Movies
Other Maria Bello Movies
Other Amy Brenneman Movies
Other Maggie Grace Movies
Other Emily Blunt Movies
No comments:
Post a Comment