DVD review: “Becoming Jane”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
“Becoming Jane”
The crackling chemistry between James McAvoy and Anne Hathaway kindles “Becoming Jane,” a speculative biopic of British literary giant Jane Austen.
Based on Jon Spence’s 2003 biography “Becoming Jane Austen,” the film focuses on a possible romance between Jane (Hathaway, with a decent British accent) and Irishman Thomas Lefroy (McAvoy). Jane’s letters to her sister mention a flirtation with Lefroy. From this historical kernel, the film grows a bittersweet love story with Austen-esque wit and grace.
Young Jane lives in the bucolic English countryside with her supportive pastor father (James Cromwell) and demanding mother (Julie Walters).
As Jane’s mother often reminds her, the only way women can support themselves is to marry well, and the Austen clan is in dire financial straits. But Jane wants to marry only for love.
Impish attorney-in-training Lefroy is dependent on his rich uncle’s allowance to support himself and his family. Tired of Tom’s hard-partying ways, his uncle (Ian Richardson) banishes Tom to stay with relatives who live near the Austens.
Jane regards Tom as a jerk; he sees Jane as a silly bore. But an attraction blooms. Their romance inspires Jane to begin “Pride and Prejudice.”
Extras: Deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurette, commentary, a version with pop-up fact boxes.
-BAM
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