The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)

Six Californians start a club to discuss the works of Jane Austen, only to find their relationships -- both old and new -- begin to resemble 21st century versions of her novels.

Director:

Robin Swicord

Writers:

Robin Swicord (screenplay), Karen Joy Fowler (book)

Stars:

Maria Bello, Kathy Baker, Amy Brenneman

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Maria Bello	...	Jocelyn
Emily Blunt	...	Prudie
Kathy Baker	...	Bernadette
Amy Brenneman	...	Sylvia
Maggie Grace	...	Allegra
Jimmy Smits	...	Daniel
Ed Brigadier	...	Pastor
Kevin Zegers	...	Trey
Marc Blucas	...	Dean
Catherine Schreiber	...	Academic Woman
Ned Hosford	...	Waiter
Hugh Dancy	...	Grigg
Messy Stench	...	Girl with Dog Collar
Chris Burket	...	Skydive Instructor
Parisa Fitz-Henley	...	Corinne

Storyline

Explores Austen's adage that general incivility is at love's essence. Sylvia's husband dumps her for another woman, so Bernadette and Jocelyn organize a book club to distract her. They recruit Sylvia's daughter Allegra; Prudie, a young teacher whose marriage may be on the rocks; and Grigg, a sci-fi fan who joins out of attraction to Jocelyn. The six read and discuss one Austen novel per month. Jocelyn tries to interest Grigg in Sylvia; Allegra falls in love with a woman she meets skydiving; Prudie contemplates an affair with a student; Sylvia's ex keeps popping up. In the discussions, characters reveal themselves in their comments. By the end, are truths universally acknowledged?

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Plot Keywords:

love | club | marriage | jane austen | teacher | 

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Taglines:

You don't have to know the books to be in the club.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, sexual content, brief strong language and some drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 October 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Conociendo a Jane Austen

Filming Locations:

Encino, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£50,052 (UK) (16 November 2007)

Gross:

$3,573,870 (USA) (14 December 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mockingbird Pictures, John Calley Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

If you look closely at the coffee cups during the first meeting at Starbucks you can see the characters names written on the cups. The most obvious is Prudie's.

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Goofs

In the scene after the first meeting at Starbucks, Prudie is on the far right. When Grigg explains where he lives, Prudie is closer to the group and her face obscured. When Grigg leaves and it goes back to the group, Prudie is on the far right again.

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Quotes

Jocelyn: You know what I'm wondering before I go? How do you feel about older women?
Grigg Harris: Ah, great. I have three older sisters, so I like all women.

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Crazy Credits

The credits are displayed next to behind-the-scenes stills of the cast and crew during the production process.

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Connections

References Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)

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Soundtracks

"El Escondite"
Written by Stan Sulzmann and John Parricelli
Courtesy of APM Music

User Reviews

Book a showing of this very worthy film, you will not be disappointed

Sylvia (Amy Brenneman) and her husband, Daniel (Jimmy Smits) have been married for a little over 20 years. But, one day, Daniel drops the big bombshells that he is seeing another woman and that he wants a divorce. Sylvia is heartbroken, so much so that her young, beautiful, lesbian daughter Allegra moves back home to keep an eye on her. Close friend, Jocelyn (Maria Bello) is also hovering over Sylvia and decides to create a book club so that the jilted lady will be surrounded by friends, conversation, and hope. Joining the club is a six-time divorcée (Kathy Baker), an uptight young French teacher, Prudie (Emily Blunt), and Allegra herself. But, because they decide the club will be devoted to Jane Austen and her six books, they need one more member to put someone in charge of each, distinct book discussion. Therefore, Jocelyn invites Grigg (Hugh Dancy), an attractive young man she met at a hotel bar, to join them. In truth, he has eyes for Jocelyn and, although a science fiction fan, would read almost anything to get to know her better. Thus, the discussions start, but the repartee is, at times, only a brief breather from the continuing problems of the club members. These troubles include death, near-infidelity, sky-diving crashes, crazy mothers, and more. Will the club work to the benefit of its members? This is a lovely film about the friends and relationships that make human existence bearable. As the bosom buddies, the movie's fine cast members are all quite wonderful, with Blunt, especially, still managing to make her flawed, confused character, endearing. The California setting is beautiful, naturally, and so are the costumes. Then, too, the script is lively and refined, echoing Austen's great books. Indeed, there is enough of Jane's novels worked into the film's content to satisfy the fans of her highly esteemed works. In short, book yourself a showing of this film and invited your friends to join you at the viewing. Forgive me, but you will "club yourself" if you don't!