Goods of the Mind: “The Jane Austen Book Club” Film Review
Posted By Brenda on February 12, 2008
What would Jane do?
People everywhere screaming into cell phones, metal detectors going off, and machines not accepting your dollar bill: this montage of daily frustrations in 21st century Los Angeles is the opening scene of The Jane Austen Book Club. Although everyone is busily talking, no real communication is taking place. That is, until Bernadette, played by Kathy Baker, decides to start a monthly book club for the six novels of Jane Austen.Six members, some lifelong friends, others new acquaintances, male and female, older and younger, meet to discuss Persuasion or Pride and Prejudice. As the months, readings and meetings go by, the members begin changing their responses to life. Discussing the Austen characters and how they met life’s challenges not only enriches the members’ lives, but helps mold their own characters. One member, a Jane Austen “virgin”, asks in exasperation if Austen’s works are a “rulebook for living”- another member replies that he could do a lot worse.
By the way, please don’t think this is a women’s film because most of the characters are women. Austen’s books do deal with courtship, however Emma is included in the Great Books of the Western World, and is no more ‘only for women’ than Melville’s Moby Dick is only for men. Strong performances by Maria Bello, Hugh Dancy, Emily Blunt, Amy Brenneman, Jimmy Smits, and Lynn Redgrave (as well as Kathy Baker) make Book Club a joy to watch. It’s cleverly written, perfectly played, and a lot of fun!
I do give two caveats:
1) Though the film is rated PG13, and I’ve recommended it, don’t think that this is a ‘nice, safe little film’ for your young teen to watch unaccompanied. As far as anyone can tell, the only Christian in the film is Jane Austen herself! There are some behaviors in the film I don’t condone, such as flirting with infidelity, pot-smoking, and lesbianism. But do we really expect non-Christians to live by Christian standards of behavior?
2) When you finish watching the film, you’ll want to read Jane Austen’s books, and to join a book club. And that’s good!
I'm Brenda, age 53; been married to my 'perfect match' husband for 27 years that seem like 5; with 3 wonderful adult daughters, and 2 great sons-in-law. I've been 'into' health and nutrition since the age of 19. My husband introduced me to working out at 25. I've managed a health food store in the past, and currently help my husband as he pastors our church, leads philosophy discussions, and teaches self-defense. We look forward to many more healthy years together!
Sounds much deal better than Oprah’s Book Club.