‘Jane Austen Wrecked My Life’ Review: A Delectable Modern Rom-Com Reassesses the Appeal of Past Love Stories

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A Diet of Romantic Literature Could Lead to Disappointment in Real Life, Suggests Director Laura Piani with “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life”

In the film “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life,” French director Laura Piani explores the pitfalls of living by the ideals portrayed in romantic literature. The protagonist, an aspiring writer, is convinced she was born in the wrong era due to her belief in concepts like soulmates and courtship, which are often depicted as simple and effortless in love stories. This film serves both as a tribute and a critique of such narratives that have been popularized by movies like “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and the Austen-inspired “Bridget Jones’s Diary.” Sony Pictures Classics has scheduled a limited release on May 23, with a wider release following a week later.

When most romantic comedies have moved to streaming platforms, this bilingual theater release from Sony Pictures Classics seems like a delightful throwback. With a humorous farce structure that includes characters accidentally entering the wrong rooms and a tense long-distance trip where Agathe complains in French (unaware her companion understands), the movie offers a charming blend of nostalgia and contemporary relevance in its portrayal of contemporary romance.

Agathe (played by Camille Rutherford), a French woman who works at the charmingly disorganized Shakespeare and Company bookstore near Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, finds herself stuck in both love and literature. If Jane Austen were to observe her, she might label Agathe, who sees herself most like Anne Elliot from “Persuasion,” as potentially destined for spinsterhood, given her advanced age of mid-30s without a suitor. It’s been quite some time since she’s experienced even a kiss, and the solitary romantic finds herself channeling her dreams and exasperation into fruitless writing endeavors – until a spark ignites within her during a quiet dinner, as she gazes intently into a quirky sake cup.

Without Agathe realizing it, her outspoken friend Felix (played by Pablo Pauly) secretly submits the initial chapters of her new work to a writing residency at Jane Austen’s old home, intending to motivate her. As Austen once penned, friendship is “the best remedy for the sorrows of unrequited love.” The very next moment, Agathe finds herself boarding a ship bound for Chawton, Jane Austen’s historic estate in England. There, she engages in intellectual debates (and develops feelings for) one of Austen’s distant descendants: the somewhat pretentious great-great-great-grandnephew Oliver (portrayed by Charlie Anson).

In this film, Piani mostly filmed in France, yet it maintains a sense of being rooted in two cultures. Anson’s character appears somewhat like a scholarly sibling of Rupert Everett, and he seems to have meticulously observed every facial tic and glance that Hugh Grant uses, blending these elements into a modern interpretation of the Mr. Darcy character. Initially cold towards each other, Agathe and Oliver’s first meeting, where she disembarks from the ferry and immediately vomits on his shoes, might lead viewers to hope they will realize their compatibility.

However, Agathe is grappling with more complex emotions than just her insecurities. A kiss shared with Félix before she boarded the ferry has ignited unexpected feelings towards her long-time friend. Félix, known for his history of seducing women and being a charmer, has always held an unspoken sexual attraction for Agathe, despite their years of friendship that were otherwise platonic. This new development could potentially complicate the feelings she harbors for Oliver. (It’s clear where audience sympathies are directed, as composer Peter von Poehl’s music echoes “Yumeji’s Theme” from “In the Mood for Love,” a melody that evokes an irresistible romantic longing.)

In more recent times, a movie similar to this might not have stood a good chance against mainstream romantic comedies produced by Hollywood. However, with the shift towards streaming platforms, there’s now a gap in the market for viewers who want a mix of laughter and romance at their local art cinemas. The title “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” hints at its connection to escapism, acknowledging that stories, whether books or films, have often distorted people’s ideas about what love truly is.

I’m captivated by the choice of the lean yet distinctive actor, Piani, to embody Agathe. Unlike the typical ingénues frequently found in French films, characterized by their curvaceous figures and vacant stares that hint at both innocence and seduction, Rutherford offers a refreshing departure. Her unique charm lies in her ability to portray awkwardness, skillfully infusing physical humor (even pratfalls) into her character, making every man she encounters less likely to be smitten at first sight. Despite her undeniable beauty that deviates from the norm, Agathe’s intelligence and personality are what truly captivate us, thanks to Piani’s thoughtful portrayal.

This film, unlike Austen’s novels, doesn’t depict its characters getting married and living happily ever after. Instead, it concentrates on Agathe’s writing journey, wrapping up with a near-ideal conclusion featuring a brief appearance by renowned American documentary maker Frederick Wiseman, who resides in Paris. The film may aim to debunk the romantic illusions found in lighthearted love stories, but it still manages to transport us on a whimsical journey – first to Paris, then England, and finally back to something that feels more like reality. George Eliot’s “Middlemarch” addresses the misconception that a suitable marriage guarantees a fairytale ending.

It’s possible that Austen wasn’t as negative an impact as one might think, since it was she who penned, “Understand what brings you joy. All you truly desire is perseverance – or put another way, let’s call it optimism.

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2025-04-09 23:17