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Becoming Jane

PG Released Aug 3, 2007 2h 0m Biography Romance List
58% Tomatometer 141 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
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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Becoming Jane

Becoming Jane

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Pinkie P Mostly emotionally sterile Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/23/24 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Robert Bernstein, Graham Broadbent, Douglas Rae
Screenwriter
Kevin Hood, Sarah Williams
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
HanWay Films, Blueprint Pictures, Bord Scannán na hÉireann / The Irish Film Board, Scion Films, UK Film Council
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
Runtime
2h 0m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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