Austen Efforts: Becoming Jane (2006)

Friday, July 1, 2011

Becoming Jane (2006)

A fairly fictional account of Jane Austen's early life and her romance with Tom Lefroy.

Summary: The year is 1795 and young Jane Austen is a feisty 20-year-old and emerging writer who already sees a world beyond class and commerce, beyond pride and prejudice, and dreams of doing what was then nearly unthinkable - marrying for love. Naturally, her parents are searching for a wealthy, well-appointed husband to assure their daughter's future social standing. They are eyeing Mr. Wisley, nephew to the very formidable, not to mention very rich, local aristocrat Lady Gresham, as a prospective match. But when Jane meets the roguish and decidedly non-aristocratic Tom Lefroy, sparks soon fly along with the sharp repartee. His intellect and arrogance raise her ire - then knock her head over heels. Now, the couple, whose flirtation flies in the face of the sense and sensibility of the age, is faced with a terrible dilemma. If they attempt to marry, they will risk everything that matters - family, friends and fortune.

Script: Kevin Hood & Sarah Williams
Directed by: Julian Jarrold
Length: Approximately 120 minutes
Release Date: 10 August 2007
Costume Designers: Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh
Soundtrack Composer: Adrian Johnston

Cast:

Anne Hathaway as Jane Austen

James McAvoy as Tom Lefroy

Julie Walters as Mrs. Austen

James Cromwell as Reverend Mr. Austen

Anna Maxwell Martin as Cassandra Austen

Maggie Smith as Lady Gresham

Laurence Fox as Mr. Wisely

Joe Anderson as Henry Austen

Lucy Cohu as Eliza De Feuillide

Ian Richardson as Judge Langlois

Jessica Ashworth as Lucy Lefroy

Eleanor Methven as Mrs. Lefroy

Michael James Ford as Mr. Lefroy

Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as Mr. Robert Fowle

Helen McCrory as Mrs. Radcliffe

Leo Bill as Mr. John Warren

Sophie Vavasseur as Jane Lefroy

Philip Culhane as George Austen

Quotes:

"I’m yours, Jane, heart and soul!" - Tom Lefroy to Jane Austen
"What value would there be in life if we are not together?" - Tom Lefroy to Jane Austen
"Affection is desirable. Money is absolutely indispensable!" - Mrs. Austen
"My characters shall have, after a little trouble, all that they desire." - Jane Austen
"If you wish to practice the art of fiction, to be considered the equal of a masculine author, experience is vital." - Tom Lefroy
"A novel must show how the world truly is, how characters genuinely think, how events actually occur. A novel should somehow reveal the true source of our actions." - Jane Austen
" I never feel more French than when I watch cricket." - Eliza De Feuillide
"Jane should have not the man who offers the best price but the man she wants." - Reverend Austen