MOVIE - Austenland

PG-13 (1:37)

Limited release 8/16/2013

Viewed 11/14/2013

RT Critic 32: Audience: 71

Cag: 3/Liked it a lot more than I thought I would

Directed by Jerusha Hess

Sony Pictures Classics

Keri Russell

My commentsThis was the very last day this was playing .... forever ... on the big screen, so I decided to go see it, even if it did look stupid AND I'd not liked the book at all.  Pleasant surprise.  I liked the movie!  Although I knew the major "stuff," it didn't matter, it was a just-plain-fun movie.  Keri Russell was fun to watch after seeing her play an entirely different role all last season on The Americans.  Lots of places to guffaw.  (However, it didn't add to my dislike of Jane Seymour....)

Rotten Tomatoes summary: Twilight author Stephanie Meyer makes her first foray into film producing with this romantic comedy about a 30-something woman whose lifelong obsession with all things Jane Austen lead her to an eccentric theme park based on the author's writings, and into the company of a handsome young suitor. For as long as she can remember, Jane Hayes (Keri Russell) has treasured the writings of the author behind such literary classics as Emma, and Pride & Prejudice. For years, Jane had been stashing away funds in hopes that someday she would be able to afford a trip to Austenland - a place where the die-hard fan can be completely immersed in the elegant world of the beloved author. When Jane finally manages to save up enough, she excitedly packs her bags and books a room. Upon arriving, Jane quickly discovers that Austenland is everything she had ever imagined. Every detail is exquisite, save for one small exception: Jane's limited funds mean that she can't enjoy the same luxury experience as the other, wealthier bachelorettes who currently populate Austenland, but she decides to make the most of her trip regardless. Later, when Jane falls into a romance with a dashing young servant, a lifetime of dreams suddenly begin to come true.