More Reviews
Michelle has kindly provided the links to two more Becoming Jane reviews.The first- "Becoming Jane" shows Austen powers, By Robert Butler:
Pasted below is a small taster of the review:
Jarrold (a veteran of Brit TV whose only other feature was “Kinky Boots”) and company make the most of the period settings and costumes, their very deep cast of English thesps and especially their two leads.
McAvoy deftly limns Tom’s transformation from hard-partying gadabout to earnest suitor. Hathaway, up to now known mostly as a comic actress (“The Princess Diaries,” “The Devil Wears Prada”), tones things down to portray the more modest Jane. It’s not a showy performance, inasmuch as Jane tries to heed her mother’s advice and disguise her razor-sharp intellect beneath a façade of maidenly decorum.
But Jane’s inner fire, expressed through Hathaway’s big brown eyes, bursts through loud and clear.
I like that Robert Butler acknowledges that the film is speculative, being loosely based on facts, but still presents a wonderful story of what might have been.
The second is : "Becoming Jane" has plenty of sensibility by Alisa Lu
Again I have pasted part of the review:
Writer Julian Jerrod creates dialogue that perfectly captures Austen's playful yet profound spirit by incorporating lines from Austen's own novels. The witty banter and emotional dialogue between Lefroy and Austen leave the audience emotionally drained at the end of the film.A movie with strong screenplay still needs strong actors to do it justice, and Hathaway, McAvoy and a solid supporting cast do just that. Best known for her role as Princess Mia in "The Princess Diaries," H
athaway shows off her sensitive side and lends just the right amount of spunk and sensitivity to her character, though her English accent falls through more than once. Her electrifying chemistry with McAvoy, a relatively unknown actor until "The Last King of Scotland," would make the real Austen proud. To lighten the mood in the few scenes that are too emotion-heavy, Walters provides comic relief as the overbearing, pushy mother akin to Mrs. Bennet in "Pride and Prejudice." "Becoming Jane" is more than a simple love story; it is an attempt to explain the mind and emotions behind one of the greatest writers of all time. For the non-Austen fan, "Becoming Jane" is a wonderful drama with witty dialogue, a solid cast and beautiful scenery of the Irish countryside. For anyone, "Becoming Jane" is a fantastic movie.
athaway shows off her sensitive side and lends just the right amount of spunk and sensitivity to her character, though her English accent falls through more than once. Her electrifying chemistry with McAvoy, a relatively unknown actor until "The Last King of Scotland," would make the real Austen proud. To lighten the mood in the few scenes that are too emotion-heavy, Walters provides comic relief as the overbearing, pushy mother akin to Mrs. Bennet in "Pride and Prejudice." "Becoming Jane" is more than a simple love story; it is an attempt to explain the mind and emotions behind one of the greatest writers of all time. For the non-Austen fan, "Becoming Jane" is a wonderful drama with witty dialogue, a solid cast and beautiful scenery of the Irish countryside. For anyone, "Becoming Jane" is a fantastic movie.There are a few criticisms in this review but this does not not take away from the overall positive opinion of the film. I love the mention of the lead's chemistry, it was indeed sizzling.
Pic 1: Taken from http://www.annie-hathaway.com/
Pic 2: Taken from http://jamesmcavoy.com
Pic 3: Taken from http://www.annie-hathaway.com/
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6 comments:
The reviews are coming in thick and fast now with the wide-release in the States... and the more I read the more I am puzzled by one observation.
I have read several reviews in which the reviewer has stated that (paraphrasing), "the real JA would have realised the superiority of Fox's Wisley & accepted his offer, etc, etc".
This left me dumbfounded, but even MORE so when I read the same sentiments echoed by die-hard Janeites.
?? I really don't get it. It goes against all of Jane's principles about marrying for situation and status rather than love. It's so fundamental - I just don't get it!!
"Becoming Jane" has finally arrived in my town, and I went to the very first showing. I enjoyed it very much - mostly because your website had prepared me so well. I don't know if I would have been able to follow the story as easily if not for all the background information you've provided here. After the movie, I stopped in a bookstore near the cinema and purchased a copy of Jon Spence's book. I am looking forward to reading it, and then re-reading some of your articles.
Thank you for all the time and effort you've spent in researching and posting about Jane Austen and the movie. I have been reading your site since the middle of May, and it has never failed to be interesting!
All the best - Kim
Thanks so much Kim for frequently visiting the blog and now sharing your thoughts with us. Do drop your comments here, I hope you will also join us in our sleuthing of Tom Lefroy's breadcrumbs &c ^_^
Michelle, yeah... I read about it as well... and what can you say? :-? (roll eyes...)
Wow, thanks Kim. It is so nice to know that the blog is being enjoyed. I am so glad that you loved the film. Let us know what you think of the Spence book when you have had the chance to read it. It really is a rewarding read.
*SPOILER ALERT!!!!!*
i think butler is generally a good reviewer and writer. i live in KC so i was thrilled to see his 3 star review. i agree with 3 out of 4 stars. i thought the ending where they were aged with that terrible makeup was cheesy and unnecessary. i might have gone 3 1/2 stars if they hadn't had that. jane seeing tom leaving the opera performance was good enough closure for me. i also hated how intrusive the music was. it wasn't great music to begin with, but it was so loud over the actors that i often couldn't hear the dialogue. i thought cassandra was terribly miscast, the guys who played her fiance & henry were adorable, and the last half was better than the first. james mcavoy can do no wrong- i've loved him for years, and he was so swoony in this. anne's accent was superb but she looked too modern to me. the whole thing seemed like i was watching a play- i didn't feel like i was living it with them, which i wanted to feel. i felt that watching the BBC p&p and keira knightley's p&p (i'm well aware that i'm one of those weird people who likes both of those productions! :))
have you seen the drawing of anne & james in the new yorker magazine? it's near the back of the current issue (can't remember the date but there are dogs on the cover) in "the current cinema" section. it's lovely.
New Yorker Magazine? No, I have not. Can you scan the image Karen, if you have time? Would love to see it.
Thanks for dropping by!
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