Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres from writer/director Laura Piani and Sony Picture Classics comes a story write out of a novel with JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE.

Agathe Robinson (Camille Rutherford) works in the Shakespeare & Co. bookstore in Paris with best friend and snog-partner Felix (Pablo Pauly). Her days are spent surrounded by stories but the one author that she relates to is Jane Austen. She is also a closet writer who cannot seem to finish the stories she begins. While Felix is a habitual dater, Agathe is looking for something deeper and that moves her soul. In the meantime, she loves being with sister Mona (Alice Butaud) and her young song Tom (Roman Angel).

That is until she receives a letter from the Jane Austen Writers’ Residency in England inviting her for a two week retreat so that she can write. The surprise is that Agathe didn’t even apply discovering that Felix did it for her after reading her latest works. After the excuses fail to impress her loved ones, she finds herself on the road to the residency. Picking her up is Oliver (Charlie Anson), who now is the one surprised. After introductions, the road trip turns into one small disaster after another and she finds him to be rude and a bit arrogant.

Finally arriving, Agathe loves the surroundings but finds the other writers a bit intimidating. Each day brings a new happening that sends Agathe into a bit of a tailspin and she must decide what it is she truly feels and wants for her life – and she may find that in the ruins!

Rutherford as Agathe is absolutely stunning and full of emotion that just oozes from every pore even though her character tries to hide it. She is in command of the film with a writer’s awkwardness that all writers experience which makes her role extremely relatable. As she looks for the perfect time to write, writers know there is no perfect time and I love this about Rutherford’s portrayal. As the character struggles, it takes one phrase from the man who sort of annoys her to provide the spark she is looking for in so many parts of her life. Just lovely.

Anson as Oliver gives Mr. Darcy vibes absolutely and, I must confess, I adore Mr. Darcy in every iteration he is shown in films. Oliver is the mirror image of Agathe which is why she steps back while he steps forward. Both of them are awkward but Oliver seems confused by his uncomfortable feelings whenever he is in close proximity to her. To save fans the time to wonder ‘where have I seen this actor before”, well, Downtown Abbey would be what you are looking for as he played the unlikeable character Larry Grey. I enjoyed his portrayal of Oliver so very much.

Pauly as Felix is the best friend/snogger who also works in the bookstore with Agathe. He is a habitual came player in relationships and seems unaffected by it all. To be sure, Pauly gives us a charming man who obviously gets away with a lot but Agathe isn’t the one as she is well aware of all his tactics. Crowther as Beth clearly loves running the residency and is so sweet that she made my heart go ‘awwwww’ with her care and compassion, especially for husband Todd played by Alan Fairbairn who is dealing with issues of his own.

Butaud as Mona just wants her sister to find happiness in what ever form that may be. Angel as young Tom obviously loves his Auntie very much and he’s so dang cute. Shout out to the other residency writers Laurence Pierre as Rosemarie, Lola Peploe as Olympia, and Rodrigue Pouvin as Sybil. Finally, to the lovely Frederick Wiseman for his reading of the final poem that is beyond heart wrenchingly and hauntingly beautiful.

Sony Pictures Classics brings television, digital content, new entertainment services, independent films and technologies to viewers. Such films as GREED, THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY, THE CLIMB, CHARM CITY KINGS, I CARRY YOU WITH ME and THE FATHER are just a few of the current and upcoming releases. For more information on what Sony Pictures Classics has to offer please visit www.sonyclassics.com.

JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE is not just the title of the film but, for some, it completely explains why we are the way we are. Austen wrote some of the most iconic stories about women to be found in all literature that are filled with the complexities, quirks, and, dare I say, anxieties of discovering who they were meant to be, both men and women. Well, if that isn’t the day to day for most people, I don’t know how else to explain it all.

The connection between Agathe and Oliver made me smile, giggle, and wish for them what I wished for Ms. Bennet and Mr. Darcy. More than that is watching scene by scene waiting to see if Agathe will begin to understand where her heart lies just in life in general. Director Piani doesn’t disappoint on any level and provides the perfect setting and cinematography to make this Austen’s heart hate when the movie ended, just as I hate when the past page of an Austen book glares at me in bold print. Thank goodness for re-reads and re-watchings which is absolutely what I intend to do.

A modern period piece in every sense brought to film in a unique, powerful and charming way that I will not likely forget for a very, very long time.

In the end – we all want our Austen moment!

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