Solidrariol Am I Missing Something?

Salubfoto It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

Aubrey Hackett While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Kirpianuscus a delicate form of propaganda . for literature. and for the transformation of life under its influence. because it is a beautiful film about people. women, as source of change. men as students. or pieces of change. and, sure, all present, Jane Austen. and her novels. I admit, for me it is one of the most inspired , source of inspiration itself, film about Jane Austen universe. not only as homage. but as wise example of translation of the Austen - mania.

adi-cat I've never read Jane Austen. Not so far, at least. So, I couldn't draw parallels and recognize all the characters of the novels that frequently interweave in conversations along the film.That didn't prevent it from sucking me in from the first minutes.Jane Austen apart, I think this is a great piece of cinema, for the exquisite acting it displays and the rich script. I've seen a lot of movies. Really, a big lot. And the problem with it is that after a while you sort of start to see the strings behind the curtain, in most of the movies you watch... you can't really get inside the story as easy as you used to before; you notice every little fake acting, error, plot hole, you name it.This was a refreshing exception from that. The acting was so real, pleasant and captivating. The story is catching you from the beginning and doesn't let go; the characters literally grow on you.It had some real life drama, but all sweetened by the warmth of the friendship that shines between all the female leads and the way they managed to always care for each other through the rough moments.And the acting is gripping. The emotional range displayed, astonishing. The quiet looks of Jocelyn when Grigg starts paying attention to Sylvia or when he talks about her in the library say more than a thousand words; the guilty look in Prudie's eyes when she looks across the street meaning to cross over towards the boy she's attracted to, are just a couple samples of perfect expressiveness without words.As opposed to the main bulk of Hollywood movies lately, in which most of the female characters are more or less displayed as tits and ass, this one manages to portray women as the truly marvelous creatures they are; deep, complex beings, strong and fragile, beautiful and insecure at once, a rainbow of emotional paradoxes.Don't get me wrong, I enjoy tits and ass in a film as much as the next guy, but most of the time you can't help feeling that a lot of female characters miss a central piece of their personality puzzle, across a lot of movies. This is one of those films which brings back that missing piece of the puzzle, and it does that with an underlying profound sense of serenity and grace.I say this one is definitely a keeper, in my book. 9/10

Jay Raskin I originally thought that the movie would be about people talking about Jane Austen novels and then flashing back to scenes from the novel. As I generally like movies from Jane Austen novels, I thought it would be great. However, after I bought the DVD, my wife informed me that it was just women talking about the novels and she suggested that I wouldn't like it. After about a year on my shelf, I slipped it in the DVD player, expecting to stop it after ten or twenty minutes.I was quite surprised that I easily got through the whole thing. The characters became more and more interesting as the movie went on and I enjoyed the layering of the different emotions and stories.For me, the ensemble cast was good, but Kathy Bates, Maria Bello, and Emily Blunt stood out, especially Emily Blunt. She was acting on a much more intense level than any of the other characters. While everyone else was doing "MidSummer's Night Dream," she was doing "MacBeth." This mixture of light, light, dark, actually made the movie much more interesting and gave it a realistic flavor. I think Emily should have gotten a supporting actress Oscar nomination. It was an intense and beautiful performance.I always promise myself after watching a Jane Austen movie that I am going to read the novels when I get a chance. After this one, I'm really going to do it. After I finish reading Harriet Beacher's Stowe's, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," Kafka's "America," and Richardson's dreadful "Pamela," "Sense and Sensibility" is next on my classic novels list.

jotix100 Jane Austen, the English author, left a body of work that, to this day, seems unsurpassed by any other novelist of her time. She was not a prolific writer, and yet, her six novels have survived the passing of time; they have become a must read for English literature studies. Bernadette, a Californian lady that loves the works of Jane Austen proposes to start a book club in which each member would lead the discussion of one of the six novels that must be read. Her only problem is she can only count with two other friends. Bernadette is set in getting the rest of the group by sheer determination that pays off in unexpected, and satisfactory ways.The group that Bernadette assembles could not so much different. Jocelyn, a dog breeder, leads a lonely life in her rural place. Sylvia, a librarian, discovers her husband Daniel wants to leave her. Her daughter Allegra agrees to join, perhaps a bit reluctantly. Prudie, the uptight teacher, whose marriage seems to be disintegrating before her eyes, is talked into coming aboard. The last member Bernadette finds is not a woman, but a computer specialist, Grigg, whose taste runs more into science fiction. Bernadette feels the last member will be good to boost Sylvia's morale who is depressed after Daniel's desertion.Director Robin Swicord, who also adapted the original novel by Karen Joy Fowler, shows an affinity to the material that is no small achievement. Ms. Swicord's second film is an enjoyable time because it involves the viewer in unexpected ways. The narrative brings parallel between the work of Jane Austin and the characters that are trying to make sense of the meaning of it. Another coup for Ms. Swicord is the incredible talented cast that was put together to bring to life a story that in someone else's hands would not have had the impact this film has on many levels. It is a highly feminine work, but it should not scare discriminating fans.Kathy Baker, who plays Bernadette, is a welcome addition to any film. The luminous Maria Bello, another excellent actress, does justice to her Jocelyn. Emily Blunt is perfectly snobbish as Prudie. Amy Braverman and Maggie Grace appear as mother and daughter, Sylvia and Allegra. The other principal, Hugh Dancy, does a surprising turn as Grigg. Jimmy Smits is seen as Daniel.Robin Swicord's understanding with the material and her love for Jane Austen made a rewarding film that will delight audiences of all ages.