“Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” is a catchy and provocative title for the debut characteristic of writer and director Laura Piani, but is a bit inappropriate. His heroine, Agathe (Camille Rutherford), can house that fear inside, but is never one that speaks out loud. A lonely employee who works at the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris, is lost in the love notes that remain in the store's mirror and complains with her best friend and co -worker Felix (Pablo Pauly) that she was born in the wrong, unpleasant century to establish a “digital” casual connection. Highly imaginative, Agathe may think he is alone because he will not settle for nothing less than a Darcy.
Luckily, then, that Felix, posing as his agent, sends some chapters of his writing induced by fantasy to the residence of Jane Austen. And who should pick up Agathe del Ferry, but a handsome and spiny English, Oliver (Charlie Anson), the great-grandfather-tatara-tatara-tatara-tatara-tatara-tatara-tatara-tatara-tataranea of Mrs. Austen itself. She can't stand it. It is perfect.
“Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” is the type of warm romance that will make any book dreamer faint, as a completely modern woman with outdated ideas about love experiences, her own Austenex fall. While Agathe initially identifies with the old maid Anne of “persuasion”, his shy connection with Oliver is more Elizabeth Bennet in “pride and prejudice.” A farm in Pastoral English is the ideal environment for such dilemma.
The casting and performances are excellent for this contemporary update, goal: Rutherford is elegant but often uncomfortable and clumsy as Agathe, while Anson transmits the passionate Oliver's desire behind his exterior reserved and wounded with enough Hugh Grantian Befuddlement. Pauly plays impulsive charlatan with an inlaid charm.
But it is not just men who have Agathe in a Tizzy. The film is equally romantic about literature, writing and poetry as in matters as mundane as flesh issues. Book lover, Agathe strives to be a writer, but believes that it is not one for the blockade of his annoying writer. Actually, it is a dam against the flow of feelings, past traumas and heartbreak, which tries to keep at bay. It is through the writing that Agathe can open his heart, share and welcome new opportunities.
“Writing is like Ivy,” Oliver tells Agathe. “It needs ruins to exist.” It is a guarantee that its past has not broken it, but it has given it the necessary structure to let words grow. The way in which the characters talk about what literature means for them, and what it means to leave the words, will seduce the writer among the spectators, these discussions even more lovely than any declaration of love or burning admiration.
If you have read Austen (or have seen any of the films made of their novels), the Piani movie will be pleasantly predictable in its result, but that does not mean that it is not a pleasant trip. It is our expectations, both known and rented, that give the film its attractive cadence. It never lasts too much and is sweet enough on your screens to avoid any saccharine or feeling of eye roll.
There is a quality similar to an ointment for “Jane Austen destroyed my life”, a balm for the mistreated romantic soul. It can be an absolute fantasy, but it is the type of escape that you want to visit again and again, as a favorite novel by Austen. And, as a result, our main character is wrong. Jane Austen did not destroy her life, but opened her to the possibilities that were right in front of her.
Katie Walsh is a film critique of the Tribune news service.
'Jane Austen destroyed my life'
In French and English, with English subtitles
Qualification: A, for language, some sexual content and nudity
Execution time: 1 hour, 38 minutes
Playing: In limited launch on Friday, May 23
