Becoming Jane

PG

Released Aug 3, 2007

2 hr. 0 min.

Biography

Romance

List

58%

141 Reviews

Tomatometer

74%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Though Jane Austen's (Anne Hathaway) financially strapped parents (James Cromwell, Julie Walters) expect her to marry the nephew of wealthy Lady Gresham (Maggie Smith), the young woman knows that such a union will destroy her creativity and sense of self-worth. Instead, she becomes involved with Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy), a charming but penniless apprentice lawyer who gives her the knowledge of the heart she needs for her future career as a novelist.

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Critics Consensus

Although Becoming Jane is a well-crafted period piece, it lacks fresh insight into the life and works of Jane Austen. The film focuses too much on wardrobe and not enough on Austen's achievements.

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Eye C

An underrated movie that not too many people know about it, and this is sad, I like it a lot, I think that Anne makes a wonderful job once again.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/22/24

Full Review

amelia n

Even if it isn't a particularly history-focused portrayal of Austen, the story is very compelling, the characters rather well-rounded and the costumes and makeup - amazing.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

pj m

Anything Austen is good. Love Laurence Fox.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

While the even-keeled temperament and moderate pacing is suitable to the genre (especially one heavily composed of romantic aspirations formulated by poised adolescents), I wasn't entirely enraptured by the story's presumed prospects. Perhaps the frail chemistry between Hathaway and McAvoy was to blame for the emotional discrepancy reflected in their characters? I failed to invest myself in the delicate relationship between their characters from the start. The actors, themselves, seemed ill-fitting; they couldn't effectively convey the sensibility and fragility of their characters in a manner that doesn't appear contrived. By the time their characters were experiencing the inherent tragedy found within their romance, I couldn't care less about the outcomes or consequences. If anything, I was relieved when it ultimately ended. That said, the failed romance is less impactful when you cannot invest in it. Hathaway and McAvoy, on their own, were quite moving. I was most captivated when they revealed, both, the flawed and passionate facets of their characters in scenes with other characters outside the key romantic scenes. There was something more juvenile and unrealistic about the romantic notions shared between the love interests that irked me and kept me from truly enjoying the more serenely romantic moments. I believe this has more to do with the performances given than the writing or the script itself. The tale may reflect life's greatest disappointments, but I didn't expect the actors to reflect it as well. However, I managed to enjoy many aspects of this film in spite of this major flaw, though. This is why I cannot judge it too harshly. I would recommend it to anyone in favour of classical love story tragedies. [C] -- 60%

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

robert p

Too much decor and not enough history!!!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Another lockdown date night film, and what an amazing surprise! How did I miss this gem of a film!! Loved it, totally engrossed in the storyline detailing the life of one of the most iconic writers to have ever breathed. Anne Hathaway is brilliant as the lead and all the supporting actors do a stellar job. A film I will definitely watch again, highly recommended!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

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Julian Jarrold

Director

Anne Hathaway

Jane Austen

James McAvoy

Tom Lefroy

James Cromwell

Mr. Austen

Maggie Smith

Lady Gresham

Julie Walters

Mrs. Austen

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Debbie Day

Premiere Magazine

"The reality of love's disappointments enriches the film's heroine, who never married in real life, and brings a 200-year-old figure into living focus."

Rated: 3/4

Nov 3, 2016

Full Review

David Fear

Time Out

Rated: 2/5

Nov 18, 2011

Full Review

Hank Sartin

Time Out

Rated: 4/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

Director Julian Jarrold ticks all the right boxes - stunning costumes, gorgeous scenery and dishy lead.

Jan 31, 2022

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

An affecting portrait, in a Masterpiece Theatre kind of way, of the early years of one of the world's most beloved authors.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 31, 2021

Full Review

Robert Gottlieb

The New York Review of Books

Its surface is plausible enough, and Hathaway's performance is persuasive enough, for us to indulge in the delusion that we're actually encountering the famously elusive Jane Austen.

Aug 23, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

Though Jane Austen's (Anne Hathaway) financially strapped parents (James Cromwell, Julie Walters) expect her to marry the nephew of wealthy Lady Gresham (Maggie Smith), the young woman knows that such a union will destroy her creativity and sense of self-worth. Instead, she becomes involved with Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy), a charming but penniless apprentice lawyer who gives her the knowledge of the heart she needs for her future career as a novelist.

Director: Julian Jarrold
Executive Producer: Jeff Abberley, Julia Blackman, Nicole Finnan, Tim Haslam
Screenwriter: Kevin Hood, Sarah Williams
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Scion Films, Blueprint Pictures
Rating: PG (Mild Language|Brief Nudity)
Genre: Biography, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 3, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.7M
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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