Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

FILM REVIEW: 'Becoming Jane' simple, unrealistic
By Robert Finger
Daily Texan (U. Texas)
08/10/2007

(U-WIRE) AUSTIN, Texas — Although I haven't read a single novel by Jane Austen and know very little about her as a person, I have no trouble making the assertion that the depiction of her life in "Becoming Jane" seems far from historically accurate. Despite the possible inaccuracies, the charming performances from the principal cast members elevate "Becoming Jane" into a relatively enjoyable romantic drama.

Jane Austen is played by Anne Hathaway, who has proven to be one of the most delightful young actresses of recent years. In the opening scene, Jane is writing a poem for her sister's engagement announcement in the morning light of Hampshire, England. She then proceeds to wake up her family with an early-morning tune on the piano. Jane's mother (Julie Walters) reacts to Jane's early-morning antics by telling her husband (James Cromwell) that their daughter needs to find a husband. Because the Austen family isn't financially capable of supporting Jane for much longer, Mrs. Austen's goal throughout the entire movie is to pressure her daughter into marrying a wealthy man. Jane's minister father, however, is much more accepting of Jane's desire to "live by the pen" — writing novels — and marry a man for love and not money.

When an aspiring lawyer from the city named Tom LeFroy is sent by his uncle, a judge in London, to visit the family in Hampshire as punishment for his wild behavior, he and Jane meet and instantly loathe one another. They bicker constantly throughout the first act of the movie in a handful of poorly written scenes, but their initial hatred quickly fades, and the two eventually fall madly in love. Though Jane wishes to continue her relationship with the rebellious LeFroy, who is at risk of losing the financial support of his uncle, her mother insists that she accept the proposal of a socially awkward yet incredibly wealthy young man named Wisley.

Though the plot is a simple and familiar one, the film itself feels incredibly rushed and often suffers from atrocious dialogue. Scenes feel out of place or are just horribly written. Characters travel from Hampshire to London and back several times, causing confusion as to how much time is actually passing between scenes. And some moments between Jane and LeFroy in the first act are cringe-worthy.

Though "Becoming Jane" is uneven throughout, the second half of the film contains a few scenes that manage to save it from being a complete bore. One moment in particular features a man pleading, "Don't speak or think, just love me." This may seem like a rational suggestion in a bad romantic drama, but Jane's reaction is one of silence. Despite her rebellious nature and thirst for true love, she cannot abandon her independent thought. Just as she will not allow herself to marry without love, she cannot allow herself to love if she is not permitted to think.

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