The Jane Austen Book Club
Trailer |
"The Jane Austen Book Club" simply doesn't know when to shut up. That's true — for the movie as a whole and for the characters.It's almost as if the filmmakers are trying to fill up all the available space with dialogue — with some pretty banal chatter at times.
And when the characters do stop talking, an insistent and intrusive musical score chimes in.
This is the kind of material that needs more quiet moments. Unfortunately, first-time director Robin Swicord — a veteran screenwriter — never really gives the film and the characters time to breathe.
"Book Club" is based on Karen Joy Fowler's "chick-lit" best-seller. The comedy-drama follows a discussion group made up of six Californians who are reading all of Austen's novels over a six-month period.
The person who runs the club is the free-spirited Bernadette (Kathy Baker). Her friend and fellow member, dog-breeder Jocelyn (Maria Bello), has invited handsome software mogul Grigg (Hugh Dancy) to join.
Meanwhile, neurotic French teacher Prudie (Emily Blunt) is having some marital problems. But that's nothing compared to the heartache suffered by Sylvia (Amy Brenneman), who just discovered her husband (Jimmy Smits) is having an affair.
Blunt ("The Devil Wears Prada") is always interesting to watch. And Brenneman does what she can here. Baker, however, is completely wasted. And the whole will-they-or-won't-they? plot device with Jocelyn and Grigg is too cutesy and predictable.
"The Jane Austen Book Club" is rated PG-13 for simulated sex and other sexual contact, sexually suggestive talk (slang and vulgarities, as well as one usage of the so-called, "R-rated" curse word), and some drug content (marijuana use and references). Running time: 105 minutes.
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