HER OWN LIFE IS HER GREATEST INSPIRATION.

After several films based on Jane Austen’s novels, the time was right to take a look at her own life and see how it compared to the fictional romances. This take, based on letters Austen once wrote, resembles “Pride & Prejudice” and it was indeed the events of her youth that inspired Austen to write that classic. As always, the question is what part true love should play in a marriage. Beautiful locations, an engaging romance and pleasant performances all combine to make an unsurprising but entertaining piece. Anne Hathaway does a Gwyneth Paltrow and acquits herself nicely in British environs.

2007-Britain. 113 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Julian Jarrold. Cast: Anne Hathaway (Jane Austen), James McAvoy (Tom Lefroy), Julie Walters (Mrs. Austen), James Cromwell, Maggie Smith, Joe Anderson… Ian Richardson.

Trivia: Richardson’s final film. Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley and Kate Winslet were allegedly considered for the part of Jane.

IMDb