We had our excursion to see Becoming Jane at the Dendy, and I certainly think it was a success. There were 8 of us (I may have lost count), and enough snacks for twice that :) Before and after the movie there was some enjoyable socialising.
As for the movie itself... as a movie it was a quite good costume drama/romance. Parts of Austen's life had been Hollywoodised, so if you are an Austen fanatic or just happen to know a lot about her life, parts of the movie will leave you irritated. The movie felt as though it was working from the 'Austen as feminist' position, and whatever your own views on this, it does provide ample opportunity for script writers to give Hathaway speeches that are quite 'modern' in sensibility. I presume the movie makers think that the current crop of Austen fans are young, feminist, educated, etc, and will therefore be cast into despair if Austen is seen to be anything else? I'm not sure. All my reading on Austen's life was done for year 12 English, which was quite a long time ago (1996 to be exact) so I'd have to reread it to be sure, but I don't recall that anyone is entirely sure why her one 'prospect' failed to lead to a marriage. So I guess they could say anything they liked - but I can easily think of reasons for Jane not to have eloped with Tom that are not as mawkish as the one given in the film.
On an entirely unrelated note, if anyone here is as interested in period costume as in drama, you might want to stroll through level 2 of the QVB soon. They have a display of shoes there, and among the many funky constructions of current TAFE students, and lots of lovely 1940s - 1970s shoes, are some shoes and boots from the 1800s. OMG narrow shoes! One display card said that women would wear shoes 'like corsets' - i.e. to give shape to their feet. Ouch.
2 comments:
"Becoming Jane" is only worthwhile seeing for James McAvoy. And for James McAvoy, I'd happily watch it again.
Other than that, the film has the Hollywood stamp all over it. The film bends over backwards to incorporate elements from JA's famous works like P&P and S&S into the storyline. It turns into what the filmmakers would have liked to imagine Jane Austen's life to have been like.
Speaking of costume displays, they also have the exhibition at The Strand.
Hi Darcy Soc,
We are second year media and communications students here at the university of sydney and we form part of a small group who are producing a ten minute radio program centred around the works of jane austen with particular reference to the cultural and historical significance of these novels, particularly when we look at current film versions including the 2005 Pride and Prejudice starring Kiera Knightley and the current film Becoming Jane.
One of our segments is a perspective piece. We would basically like a member of the society to talk to us about Jane Austen and give us your much valued expertise in the field. Of course we would let you know what we were asking you and give you time to prepare.
If one of the members of the society would be happy to speak we would really appreciate it and can arrange with you a time to record, of course revolving around your availability.
It would take half an hour to forty five minutes at the most so please let us know if you are interested.
You may have already received an email from us regarding this request.
If you are interested, please email stef2@unwired.com.au
Thanks!
Rhiannon, Anthea, Stef, Alex
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