Loving Jane

[callmemadam]

Gratuitous picture of apple blossom in the garden today, nothing at all to do with Jane Austen.

Yesterday evening I watched Miss Austen Regrets, Gwyneth Hughes' drama about Jane Austen and marriage. This was a very stylish and thoughtful production, based largely on Jane Austen's letters. What a fine actor Hugh Bonneville is! Olivia Williams was very convincing as Jane; she looked clever, as she surely should. I was shocked by how little the character wore. So thin as she was, you'd think she'd be freezing cold yet she was less well covered than her young niece. I was relieved when she put on a shawl. I haven't seen Becoming Jane, so can't compare the two films but I'd take a bet this one was better. I had low expectations, was totally absorbed by it and in tears at the end. So, back to the texts and for anyone who hasn't read it, Claire Tomalin's excellent biography.

Comments

[rosathome.livejournal.com]

Becoming Jane was dire. Here's a link to what I said about it at the time: Unbecoming Jane (http://conversationaltheology.wordpress.com/2007/08/18/unbecoming-jane/). I haven't seen Miss Austen Regrets but it certainly sounds a whole lot better.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

It sounds ghastly! This drama was quite good on period accuracy, if there was a little too much roaming in the shrubberies with not much on. It's a BBC production; hope you get the chance to watch it.

[gghost.livejournal.com]

I've been looking forward to seeing "Miss Austen Regrets," so I am happy to read your good recommendation. And I love the Tomalin biography, too.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Both good!
Happy May Day.