Agathe, the delightful lead character played by Camille Rutherford in Laura Piani’s charming romantic comedy titled “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life“, yearns to become a writer. Based in Paris as a bookseller, she spends her days meandering through bookshelves and immersing herself in the works of literary legends. However, like many budding authors who are timid about their abilities, Agathe only writes in her free moments and declines to let others read her work. One day, her best friend and coworker Felix (Pablo Pauly) stumbles upon one of her drafts and submits an application for a prestigious writing residency, created under Austen’s name, on Agathe’s behalf. Upon receiving the acceptance, her decision to attend completely alters her life.
In a delightful manner, Piani crafts a movie that pays homage to the 19th-century literary icon and celebrates the art of writing. Jane Austen Turned My World Upside Down doesn’t break the mold of romantic comedies, but it manages to make the genre uniquely its own. Our protagonist, Agathe, is a bit clumsy and socially awkward, reminiscent of Bridget Jones. Her journey toward self-discovery is as much about her creative life as it is about love. Piani, who also penned the script, incorporates scenes of writing – or rather, procrastinating, contemplating, and sometimes escaping the fear of the empty page. These sequences give depth to Agathe, making her a strong-willed character akin to Jo March.
The story titled “Jane Austen’s Turmoil” shares similarities with “Pride and Prejudice,” particularly in the character of Agathe who exhibits Elizabeth Bennet-like enthusiasm towards love. She is also as headstrong and rigidly clinging to her first impressions as Elizabeth. Upon arriving at the writers’ retreat, Agathe encounters Oliver (Charlie Anson), a relative of Austen who manages the program there, serving somewhat as Mr. Darcy. Their initial meeting is marred by Oliver, an academic who teaches literature, dismissing Jane Austen’s work as overrated and narrow-minded. This critique, tinged with a familiar brand of misogyny, leaves Agathe irked and biased against Oliver from the start.
Fans well-versed in literature will recognize the flow of events as they unfold. The narrative begins with an extended prelude, transporting us from Paris (where Agathe resides) to a quaint coastal town in England (the location of the retreat). From there, the book “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” picks up pace. Piani delves deep into the atmosphere of the residency, perhaps a touch excessively so, portraying lively intellectual discussions among the participants and capturing the romantic essence with scenic shots of authors pondering over their work amidst verdant fields. These scenes starkly contrast with those depicting Agathe, who unlike her counterparts, finds it challenging to write. It’s regrettable that Piani didn’t delve deeper into the main character, particularly in exploring a personal loss that significantly impacts her tale.
In the movie “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life“, Agathe’s romantic life is explored more openly and less delicately by director Piani, making her character appear more self-assured. Similarly, Rutherford’s character in “Anatomy of a Fall” is charming as she navigates a rollercoaster of love experiences filled with both cringe-worthy moments and heartwarming instances.
Piani initiates the film by suggesting a possible bond between Felix and Agathe, a recurring theme of a rake and his best friend. However, she also subtly suggests a developing relationship between Oliver and Agathe. Piani skillfully maintains suspense about the potential love interests without giving too much away early on, which is a testament to her sharp directing skills as well as the strong performances delivered by Rutherford, Pauly, and Anson. This leaves all romantic combinations seeming equally probable.
As a gamer diving into Agathe’s story, I find myself caught between two captivating characters and the deadline for my novel looming overhead. Jane Austen Wrecked My Life takes me on an adventure as Agathe grapples with self-doubt and seeks to uncover her true priorities. There’s a recurring joke that due to Agathe’s eloquent writing style, the residency directors (Oliver and his senior parents) believe she might be older than she appears. Piani cleverly highlights the dreamy ambiance of the residency, with close-ups of exquisite furniture and meticulously maintained gardens, emphasizing that this place is a realm all its own.
Collaborating with cinematographer Pierre Mazoyer, Piani crafts a visual style reminiscent of early 2000s romantic comedies. The film features numerous close-ups capturing intimate moments between our lead character and potential suitors, such as lingering glances and gentle touches. Peter Von Poehl contributes a whimsical score to the production. However, what truly captivates audiences in “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” is Agathe, an intriguing protagonist whose deep-rooted passion for literature and love keeps us hooked throughout.
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2025-05-27 21:54