WATCH THE TRAILER

PREMIERE'S REVIEW (posted 8/6/07)

Director Julian Jarrold's tale of how Sense and Sensibility author Jane Austen's real-life love affairs might've transpired rings more true-to-life than Austen fans might like, as in the end of Becoming Jane, Austen (played by The Devil Wears Prada's Hathaway) does not make "a happy match" like so many of her protagonists. This fictional take on Austen's young life, in fact, plays out like an unforgiving Pride and Prejudice saddled with the dreary-gray air of a British TV production. That said, 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.

Hathaway's proven charms work magic here, giving her Jane a blush that emanates from the screen, though conjuring romantic chemistry with costar McAvoy (The Last King of Scotland) takes a bit more doing. Both actors have undeniable charisma and are easy to watch, but stiff together in their mating dance.

Supporting turns by accomplished actors Walters (Harry Potter's Mrs. Weasley), Smith (Harry Potter's Professor McGonagall), and Cromwell (not quite British enough to appear in a Potter flick) lend gravitas to the effort overall, though the trio is most enjoyable when working insidious mirth into scenes.

Troubling as it may be that this sweet-yet-headstrong Jane must forsake true love, aficionados of the writer are expected to at least take comfort in the idea that she so brilliantly married her work, which is, of course, small recompense in the escapist world of Jane Austen.

— Deborah Day