I know I talked about this a bit in my review of the book (and technically I shouldn’t count it since I saw the movie first, and this breaks the rules I’ve set up for myself), but I haven’t watched a movie adaptation of a book in a while, and I wanted to keep this little feature going.
I should also start with a couple of confessions: I saw this movie when it came out, in the theater, and I liked it from the start. Which means, I’m not a Janeite. For all my love of her novels, I don’t mind it when they play with them and interpret the story a bit.
But, as I said in my review of the book, while this is a decent love story (and James McAvoy is quite dreamy), it’s not history. The whole Tom LeFroy love angle of the book was a blip, a passing mention. Not much is known about her relationship with him, and even Jon Spence is inferring much from her novel and what is known about both Tom and Jane. There’s really not that much there… especially not enough to make a 2 hour movie out of.
That said, I think they did a good job capturing the essence of Jane Austen — her conflict with propriety, her wit, her observations of people. We know so little about her, that it’s fun to infer what she might have been like based on what she did write. And while those inferences probably aren’t anywhere near the truth (dang you, Cassandra, for burning all those letters!), that doesn’t mean it’s not fun to speculate.
Which means, I can’t be too upset at all the liberties they took (mixing up times and places and names, creating instances which probably didn’t happen). Anne Hathaway did a good job capturing Jane’s curiosity with and frustration at the world; James McAvoy was perfect as a foil for her sharp tongue and brilliant mind. Which, for me, is really all you need in a good movie (like this).
Verdict: the movie is a LOT of fun, but check out a biography of her, too.
The Book Nut 
I loved the movie but I think I'll skip the book. Is there a particular biography you'd recommend?
LikeLike
Loved, loved, loved the movie– more than I should have. I know it wasnt' the best movie of its kind ever made, but I like Anne Hathaway and have a major crush on James McAvoy, even though I know he's probably about 5'2″ and weighs 92lbs. Who cares, I said he was my new boyfriend. Yes, Abe knows all about it.
I did read the book as well and did not love it as perhaps I would have if I'd read it at different time. Had I read it with a little more distance away from the movie I think I would have enjoyed it more for what a was- a biography- not more juicy details about Tom LeFroy and Jane's forbidden love.
Hmm. I think I'll go watch that movie again!
LikeLike
Tricia — I liked Jon Spence's book; it wasn't overly scholarly, and I found it an interesting look into Jane Austen's life. But I'm not sure about any other ones. If you find one that you like, will you let me know?
Besty — Ha! You make me laugh. 🙂 McAvoy's on my list… sigh… (Can I tell you that I've contemplated watching Atonement just because he's in it?) I think you should give Spence's book another try; it really is a good biography. (I should admit, though, that it did disappoint me how little LeFroy was in the book…)
LikeLike
I've been wanting to see this one for a while. It doesn't bother me either when books or movies do something different with a Jane Austen work. Of course, since little is known about her life, liberties must be taken. Glad to hear you enjoyed the movie.
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
LikeLike