Originally published August 12, 2007Last night I went to see the movie "Becoming Jane," which was the story (somewhat fictionalized or perhaps more imagined) of the author Jane Austen and her possible brief love affair with Tom Lefroy who became Ireland's Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench.
Being an avid Austenite I was naturally eager to see the film and went out of my way to make sure I did, as it is only currently playing in three theatres here (I'm hoping for a more wide-spread release as word of mouth grows!). What I experienced was so much more than I expected.
First, the film. There was a nice mix of well-known, up-and-coming actors as well as British gems in the cast. Anne Hathaway of "Princess Diaries" and "Prada" fame played Jane. I had no doubts of her doing an exquisitely fine job as my heroine-authoress, as I thought her portrayal as one of the betrayed wives in "Brokeback Mountain" extraordinary and under-rated. Her more famously-noted juvenile film roles belie her more complex talents as an actress. And yet, it's her spunky you-go-girl roles that perhaps inform Jane's independence and graciousness to her younger readers (more on this later). Ms. Hathaway is lovely and while perhaps attention to detail by the director with regards to period posture and manners might be a bit lacking, it was not so much to take me out of the film for looking modern. I think corsets have a lot to do with it! I also thought her diction and accent comparable to the other British actors - perhaps even more natural-sounding that Gwyneth Paltrow's very proper English in "Emma" a few years back (which I also loved!).
Her Tom was played by Scottish actor James McAvoy, of whom I was aware having seen him in "The Chronicals of Narnia" as Mr. Tumnus. He of late is better known as having the supporting role to Forest Whitaker in the award-winning "The Last King of Scotland." He is handsome, young and boyishly dashing with azure eyes to rival another favorite actor of mine, Elijah Wood (perhaps he can play the young Bilbo Baggins if "The Hobbit" ever gets into production!!). He played Tom with equal amounts profligate wastrel, noble & dutiful son and romantic hero! He definitely won me over!
Some other familiar faces on the screen belonged to a masterly contigent of elders - namely Dame Maggie Smith, James Cromwell and Dame Julie Walters. What is there more to say about this trio of acting brilliance?
No one plays the hauteur of the British nobility with more prim but affectionate verve than Dame Maggie. While the movie leads you to believe that her Lady Gresham is the precursor to Lady Catherine de Bourgh from "P&P," I still find it difficult to completely dislike her as one is meant to with that other august personage. She makes much of an wonderful extended-cameo - and she rocks the green velvet gown and massive family jewels like no one's business!
James Cromwell, better known as Farmer Hoggett from "Babe" plays Jane's father Reverend Austen - and while the reverend is a pious man, he's no saint when it comes to matters of the bedroom as illustrated by the very first scene! When Mrs. Austen teases that she's known him for thirty years as they lie in bed and has yet to know perfection, he busily begins to change her mind! Her pleased murmur of, "... but it's a Sunday!" nearly had me on the floor within two minutes of the movie... (No worries, it's practically PG!)
Everyone by now will recognize Dame Julie Walters as Molly Weasley in the "Harry Potter" films. Here too she plays a mother with a gaggle of older children she is trying to tame, but with far less shrillness and with equal compassion, despite her frustrated outbursts against poverty due to following her affections rather than financial familial duty and having to dig her own potatoes! There is probably a case for comparing her to Mrs. Bennet from "P&P," but Mrs. Austen is no silly woman. She does worry for her children's future, but not at the expense of her own self-centered aims.
The rest of the cast is largely unknown to American audiences, but in looking at their filmographies they are mostly busy actors in Britain. Several I noticed were in another favorite film of mine, "Gosford Park," so now I will need to pull that out and look for them! All well-done portrayals and no false notes in my opinion.
Costuming and sets were well-done - the sets in particular seemed to me to give a real sense of time period and place. Ireland stood in for Hampshire in the film - and when I finally can afford to go back I will certainly seek out the area where they filmed! I also noted with pleasure that the costuming didn't look as if each piece had just been made. They were garments worn by the individuals not costumes put on just at the moment of filming - Jane's nightdress had cuffs that were worn and frayed, for instance - as well as both she and her sister Cassandra wore their clothes more than once. No new costume for each scene!
As I mentioned before the script itself is an imagining or an embellished stretching of circumstances in this pair's life. Nothing is known for sure about their relationship other than they had met and seeminly enjoyed a flirtation at the very least. I would like to think that Jane did have an opportunity to feel real romantic love and this story left me breathless and believing it could have been true!
Now we are getting into the realm of spoilers here - if you do not know anything about Jane Austen's life and want to be surprised by the ending of the movie, you might want to stop reading right about now... You've been warned!!!It didn't hit me all at once, but in talking with my friend over dinner about it and then driving home and then lying in bed... and even daydreaming during mass (yes, I admit it!), I had several emotions assail me with regards to some of the underlying truths about Jane's life.
My regards for Jane Austen go beyond her talent as a writer. I've often felt akin to her when I've read about her life, especially as I've gotten older. I wouldn't presume to put my own writing in her class... yet. I pray that someday I might have a modicum amount of success, but it goes beyond the quality of her or my talent - or perhaps I should say despite it. We are both authoresses (is it wrong that I still like that term?) who are well-loved within their family unit. In reading some of Jane's letters to her sister Cassandra or her brothers or their children, it is obvious the affection she holds for them, and they for her. I believe, I hope, I hold the same fond spot in the hearts of my sisters, parents, niece, nephews and family and friends. And it may be even that that love is all the more tender as neither Jane nor myself (at least yet) have found that lover and helpmate that the rest all have. We are alone with no one to share the burdens of finances, joys and disappointments in life. Yes, we do lean on our families in times of need and are heartily grateful for their love and support and would not spurn it for anything. Yet, those intimate moments that only two people in love can share were never Jane's - and have yet to be mine.
And as this movie so heart-breakingly illustrates Jane had her disappointments in love - something that I have also felt. Our circumstances were very different, but that doesn't negate the difficult hurt that she and I have both had to endure and then overcome. I cannot speak for Jane, but as to my own disappointments they did not leave me scarred or bitter. I have learned from them and taken away good lessons and genuine affection despite the realization that the man I loved was not meant to be mine, nor I his. But I do feel for Jane. And I understand what it is like to be a certain age with few to no marriage prospects (as she might have said). I still have hope that my current state of singledom is not permanent, but I know that at some point Jane must have if not exactly despaired of it, at least came to the practical conclusion that her fortunes lay with her family. It was fortunate indeed that they loved her and could provide for her. The money she received for her writings could not have earned her a living as they would today.
But the scene that touched me the very most was at the end. And it wasn't even the look of acknowledgement and resignation between Jane and Tom for what they had meant to each other. It was a small moment... Tom's daughter enthusiastically pleads with Jane to read for everyone at the assembly they've met at by mistake. Tom sternly admonishes the girl with, "Jane!" and they all take a moment to realize that she is named after his first love. Jane's brother has explained to her (as he had moments earlier to another young admirer) that Jane doesn't want the notariety that reading in public would bring her, but when the girl looks crestfallen, Jane holds out a hand to her and says (paraphrasing), "But I will for my new friend here. Why do you not come sit by me..." and leads her to a sofa in the salon. The moment really touched my heart and underscored to me just what it is that I want to be able to do and to be for other young readers like Jane Lefroy. Not the acclaim nor the hero-worship, but the ability to give generously of my talent and wisdom to young people, to help them weather the storms of becoming an adult, but more importantly of becoming a gracious and intelligent adult.
So that is my wish. I have written it and now I have something to which to aspire! All thanks to Jane Austen...
