I read the book of this before seeing the film (AND when I had read some, but not all, all of Jane Austen's novels). This can work to the detriment of a film, but it doesn't in this case. Both book and film are highly enjoyable.
There are a number of reasons for this. The film is, for one thing, well cast. Each part is acted well and convincingly.
In addition, despite some adjustments, the film sticks to the broad outline of the book. In it, a group of six people – one man and five women – meet over a period of six months to discuss Jane Austen's novels. They find that their lives are mirroring certain aspects of the novels' events in ways both surprising and interesting.
I thought this worked best in the dynamic between the affected French teacher Prudie and her rather bovine husband Dean. Their marriage is in trouble and Prudie is in serious danger of doing something she shouldn't with one of her male pupils. Luckily, Austen's "Persuasion" comes galloping to the rescue.
The film's last scene, set a year after the main events of the film, does wrap things up well, but is maybe a bit too packaged. Would Dean, for example, really take to reading Austen so easily?
So a nice story, excellent acting, good camera work and music. They all make for good, undemanding entertainment.
Rating: 7/10
There are a number of reasons for this. The film is, for one thing, well cast. Each part is acted well and convincingly.
In addition, despite some adjustments, the film sticks to the broad outline of the book. In it, a group of six people – one man and five women – meet over a period of six months to discuss Jane Austen's novels. They find that their lives are mirroring certain aspects of the novels' events in ways both surprising and interesting.
I thought this worked best in the dynamic between the affected French teacher Prudie and her rather bovine husband Dean. Their marriage is in trouble and Prudie is in serious danger of doing something she shouldn't with one of her male pupils. Luckily, Austen's "Persuasion" comes galloping to the rescue.
The film's last scene, set a year after the main events of the film, does wrap things up well, but is maybe a bit too packaged. Would Dean, for example, really take to reading Austen so easily?
So a nice story, excellent acting, good camera work and music. They all make for good, undemanding entertainment.
Rating: 7/10