Becoming Jane: Why they should stop giving roles to Anne Hathaway
October 8th 2008 05:44
On paper, Jane Austen’s biopic Becoming Jane (2007) is a guaranteed success. On paper.
Its 1795 and the one of the words greatest literary minds, Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway), is struggling against the social requirements of marriage. With a well-to-do suitor, who (surprisingly) has an evil mother pulling his strings, Austen meets loveable Irish rogue Thomas LeFroy (James McAvoy), and (surprisingly) falls in love. But can their relationship survive the financial and social restrictions of the time? Can Austen actually marry for love?
Yes the plot is nauseatingly predictable, but that’s why we watch these films, don’t we? I mean the scenes of the ball could have been interspersed with those from Pride and Prejudice (2005), but we don’t mind…
Having said that – why didn’t Becoming Jane work? Two words – Anne Hathaway.
Tough, I know, but I’ve thought about it, and she just isn’t the intelligent, witty, charismatic leading lady one would imagine playing Jane Austen. And not just because she’s an American. Great American actresses have played period female leads very successfully. I hate to say it but look at Gwyneth Paltrow, for instance.
There has been criticism for her ‘unauthentic’ accent. Yes, to be sure. But there’s something else I can’t put my finger on. While McAvoy is always quite compelling to watch, I think a bit of Hathaway rubbed off on him – he does in fact, let the Scottish tongue slip (but, hey – who’s complaining!). McAvoy’s the Golden Ticket, while Hathaway’s the sickly sweet chocolate bar.
It’s just yet another case of star power, especially when it goes in hand with independent film financing. Becoming Jane did pull out all the stops with an all star supporting cast – James McAvoy, Julie Walters, James Cromwell and Maggie Smith – but despite this, the film’s performances comes off a little lackluster.
While Hathaway may take the blame in this reviewers mind, there are a number of positives about this screen tale, which should be mentioned.
The inventive screenplay, believed to be largely based on Jane Austen’s letters and the book Becoming Jane Austen by Jon Spence, is quite compelling and entertaining. The locations, not actually Austen’s birthplace, but Dublin and rural Ireland, were used and to great effect – visually, the film is captivating.
With original music by Adrian Johnston and cinematography by Eigil Bryld (In Bruges) the film is almost seamless, but not quite.
It’s a shame – I really wanted this film to be good. Darn you Hathaway!
Its 1795 and the one of the words greatest literary minds, Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway), is struggling against the social requirements of marriage. With a well-to-do suitor, who (surprisingly) has an evil mother pulling his strings, Austen meets loveable Irish rogue Thomas LeFroy (James McAvoy), and (surprisingly) falls in love. But can their relationship survive the financial and social restrictions of the time? Can Austen actually marry for love?
Yes the plot is nauseatingly predictable, but that’s why we watch these films, don’t we? I mean the scenes of the ball could have been interspersed with those from Pride and Prejudice (2005), but we don’t mind…
Tough, I know, but I’ve thought about it, and she just isn’t the intelligent, witty, charismatic leading lady one would imagine playing Jane Austen. And not just because she’s an American. Great American actresses have played period female leads very successfully. I hate to say it but look at Gwyneth Paltrow, for instance.
There has been criticism for her ‘unauthentic’ accent. Yes, to be sure. But there’s something else I can’t put my finger on. While McAvoy is always quite compelling to watch, I think a bit of Hathaway rubbed off on him – he does in fact, let the Scottish tongue slip (but, hey – who’s complaining!). McAvoy’s the Golden Ticket, while Hathaway’s the sickly sweet chocolate bar.
It’s just yet another case of star power, especially when it goes in hand with independent film financing. Becoming Jane did pull out all the stops with an all star supporting cast – James McAvoy, Julie Walters, James Cromwell and Maggie Smith – but despite this, the film’s performances comes off a little lackluster.
While Hathaway may take the blame in this reviewers mind, there are a number of positives about this screen tale, which should be mentioned.
The inventive screenplay, believed to be largely based on Jane Austen’s letters and the book Becoming Jane Austen by Jon Spence, is quite compelling and entertaining. The locations, not actually Austen’s birthplace, but Dublin and rural Ireland, were used and to great effect – visually, the film is captivating.
With original music by Adrian Johnston and cinematography by Eigil Bryld (In Bruges) the film is almost seamless, but not quite.
It’s a shame – I really wanted this film to be good. Darn you Hathaway!
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Comment by Cass
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I despise her, and I think she has just about destroyed everything she has appeared in, including The Devil Wears Prada. She is a ridiculous actress and annoying in interviews.
Michaelie