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Cast delights in ‘Becoming Jane;' plot is just plain

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On my last day in South Africa, I had hours to spend before our bus took us to the airport and not much money for shopping, which seemed to be the focus for most of my fellow travelers, so I decided to take in a movie. Having already seen “The Bourne Ultimatum” and 99 percent of all the other movies showing, I was limited to “Becoming Jane,” a film for which I had an interest since I am a big fan of Jane Austen's novels and many of the films based on them. I can say I was grateful for the nearly two-hour diversion, since I longed to be on my flight and back home, but “Becoming Jane,” while pretty to watch and well acted, dragged through a tale not totally unlike one of the famed author's novels.

Screenwriters Kevin Hood and Sarah Williams apparently have taken a brief affair from Austen's early life, blended it not so subtly with the novel “Pride and Prejudice” and have created a fictional biography in which the young author (played by the beautiful and talented Anne Hathaway) meets her own Mr. Darcy, an Irish playboy named Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy). After getting into a bit of trouble in the city, Tom has been sent by a disapproving uncle to the countryside, where Jane lives in discreet poverty with her family.

As far as her mother (Julie Walters) is concerned, Jane needs to put aside her writing and marry dull Mr. Wisley (Laurence Fox), who stands to inherit a sizable fortune from his controlling aunt (the ever wonderful Maggie Smith). However, Jane's father, Rev. Austen (James Cromwell) disagrees, believing his daughter, in spite of the need for financial salvation, should marry for love, not money. At first Jane detests Lefroy's judgmental arrogance, but after a thoroughly Austen-inspired sequence of petulant confrontations, she falls in love with him, only to face a series of financial and social barriers. The snippy sparring scenes are fun, though lacking in real tension and spark. I would like to have seen more combativeness between the pair, before they give in to love and are willing to leave everything and run away to live together in poverty - feeding on love.

Unfortunately, love was rarely the priority in Austen's day and luck most certainly did not shine on women of the time. Social standing, rigidly defined roles and family obligations took precedence, which means that - like her heroines - Jane finds herself having to make decisions based on responsibility and not on her heart. Unlike her protagonists, however, she is a slave to the reality of personal obligation -- both her own and that of Lefroy.

In Becoming Jane, the cast delights and they, the wonderful Irish countryside (where much of the filming took place) and exceptional costuming, provide for some pleasant enough viewing. Of note are Maggie Smith's wonderful portrayal of the domineering Lady Gresham and Hathaway's keen view of Austen's resolute personality. In fact every actor deserves kudos. Even Laurence Fox's wimpy yet honorable Mr. Wisley warrants admiration, but the story just isn't very interesting or, for that matter, fresh. Except for the ending, “Becoming Jane” could be a Jane Austen novel and we have seen (or read) them before. Anyone familiar with the author knows she died a spinster, while her characters generally live happily ever after.

Like s many of Austen's novels gone to film, the fancy country balls, musical score and detailed costumes are charming and eye-catching. The interactions between Tom and Jane are pleasing enough, and the performances are certainly charismatically polished, as noted. Still, the story just lumbers along predictably, offering no surprises.

I can't say I would have preferred shopping more, my last few hours in South Africa. Seeing a film in a foreign country is one type of cultural experience. I found the seats comfortable and since I truly love the movie experience, I found comfort in the darkened auditorium, the taste of popcorn (far less greasy than here at home) and the two hours of escape. I was tired, but even so, I think at my most rested I would have been a bit bored in the PG rated “Becoming Jane.” I could not help but think I had seen the film before. “Miss Potter,” a similar story about author Beatrix Potter, which did not make it for long in theaters, was far better in my estimation. I am placing a C- in my grade book. I'd like to give more for the actors, but I am reviewing the film, not the cast.

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