Thursday, March 08, 2007

Reel People: Anne Hathaway is Jane Austen

The film is Becoming Jane, a movie about the early days of Jane Austen.

Jane Austen was the author of classic novels Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, Emma, Persuasion, and Northanger Abbey, all published in the 1810's (the same decade she died at the age of 41 for unclear health reasons). Jane's father was a member of the clergy, and was the member of a large family with a sister and four brothers. It was probably Jane's family influences and interest in literature, art, and drama that led her to become the renowned writer she is now known as. Jane lived in various parts of England her entire life and is clearly known for being a distinctive British voice. Austen's romances are uncharacteristic of other romance writings in that they do not encourage emotional reactions, but instead try to display a realistic view of romance, balancing thought and emotion. Jane Austen was a spinster, never marrying although she was for a short period engaged to man (Harris Big-Whitier) whom's proposal she accepted and quickly rejected.

Transitioning from teen films to adult films Anne has recently been by-passed while her co-stars work have been highlighted (The Devil Wears Prada & Brokeback Mountain). Hathaway as a Brooklyn born actresses has a challenging role of portraying the British author as she acts among a primarily British cast. The film becoming Jane is directed by Julian Jerolds and co-stars James McAvoy, James Cromwell and Julie Walters as Austen's parents, as well as academy award winner Maggie Smith.

This biographical film could certainly earn Hathaway some critical awards attention for her portrayl of this Real (Reel) Person.

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7 comments:

Terence Towles Canote said...

I have to say a film based on Jane Austen's early life has possibilities. Let's face it, every novel she has written has probably been adapted to film more than once. That having been said, I don't know if Anne Hathaway would be the right choice to play. It's hard to tell if she could transition to more adult oriented films, or if she could do a proper English accent.

Ben said...

Hello there! just got your comment on my website, and I have to agree. I'm not saying the Oscars were unenjoyable, they just tended to be very... Oscar. Long, self-congratulatory, and on the whole, a nice ode to cinema, but not necessarily the most riveting television.

But that's not why we watch them, is it? :-) Maybe I was more entranced last year because I was gunning for Brokeback the entire night. Who knows.

Sheila West said...

I have always deemed Anne Hathaway an actress of great talent who still has oceans of untapped potential up her sleeve. With the right role, she could possibly even achieve the status of Hollywood Royalty.

Co-starring with the likes of Julie Andrews, Heath, Ledger, Minnie Driver, Meryl Streep, and (now) Maggie Smith indicates she's well on her way there already.

Martha Elaine Belden said...

i like anne hathaway... and a film about young jane austen... how exciting!

J.D. said...

I have hopes for this. And Anne Hathaway is a very talented actress, who, while being known, hasn't universally proven she's the excellent actress I know she is. Could this be it?

Jen Waddell said...

I love Jane's books and am looking forward to a movie about her. I think Anne is a fine actress and am looking forward to her proving herself in this movie!

skk163 said...

Am afraid to say Hathaway was at times convincing but mostly was not especially when she was shrill. Its a pity because a better selected actress would have made the film.