The Jane Austen Book Club - A Movie Review

We have to create the Jane Austen mood.

The Jane Austen Book Club is a 2007 film based on the novel by Karen Joy Fowler. A group of women (and one man) create a Jane Austen reading group. As they discuss the stories, they realize their relationships begin to resemble the 21st-century novels.

‘Books’ is one of the best words in the English language. Movies centered around books make them even better. I watched this movie a few years ago, and thought it was time to return to it. You can’t watch movies (or read books) once. The Jane Austen Book Club compiles a story about friendship, love, and books, all our favorite themes.

An ensemble of talented women stars in The Jane Austen Book Club, including Kathy Baker, Maria Bello, Emily Blunt, Amy Brenneman, and Maggie Grace. Each woman is going through a difficult time, and this club helps target their problems through bonding and books.

Emily Blunt is one of my favorite actresses. In 2007, Blunt was just starting her acting career, and already she was a natural. At the same time as this film, Wind Chill, a very underrated thriller, was released too. She is a versatile actress.

Hold your horses, this book club also has a male member! Who says that any kind of club is for one gender? That’s what’s so great about this movie. Hugh Dancy is excellent as Grigg, who adds insightful opinions to the discussions. He’s not your typical male stereotype.

As I said, I watched this movie a long time ago, and my movie heart wanted to return to it. Different screenings give a new perspective. The Jane Austen Book Club is funny and relatable.

Although with no directing experience, that didn’t stop Robin Swicard from signing on to direct the film. She had always been a Jane Austen fan. Swicard has been a writer on several films, including The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) and Memoirs of Geisha (2005). Filming for Jane Austen Book Club lasted 30 days, shot in various parts of Southern California.

Swicord made a film about the importance of friendships, escaping into books, and finding healthy relationships. Scenes are well-directed and driven by a strong ensemble. Swicard said she specifically chose actors with theatre training.

I liked Swicard’s style. She let the actors guide their characters. Swicard also filmed several takes of scenes, for both framing and for the actors to get comfortable in the scene.

You never know what conversations you’ll have about books. The book club scenes are my favorite when they gather for discussion. The cast was actually assigned to read the books their characters read. Due to the play-like style of the shoot, Swicard said three cameras were used to capture performances in ten-minute-long scenes.

Interestingly, the film couldn’t afford Jane Austen books because they were so expensive. So, when you see the women reading the books, they’re actually fake covers, under William Shakespeare’s plays.

It’s a fact that human beings need real human connection. Take the pandemic, for example, when everyone had to shelter-in-place and social distance from friends. That period proved that we need human interaction.

Stories are never about one thing. While books are a central part of the movie, The Jane Austen Book Club is about everyday issues. The opening segments portray how we all have tough days. With a passion or a book club, it’s a break from reality.

Whether you’re a book lover or enjoy endearing comedy, put The Jane Austen Book Club on your watch list.