Jane Austen Wrecked My Life celebrates the highs and lows of writing.
When it comes to the written word, there is a truth universally acknowledged: if one wants a reason not to write, one will most certainly find one. And this is undoubtedly true in Laura Piani’s feature film debut, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, a rom-com less about the famous author herself and more about the journey of a woman who longs to find her place in the world.
The film focuses on Agathe (Camille Rutherford), a 30-something Parisian who works at the famous bookshop Shakespeare & Company. She fancies herself to be a character in one of Austen’s stories, specifically Anne Eliot from Persuasion, because she has watched her life go on in front of her eyes. She has a multitude of unfinished stories on her plate and suffers from a “will-they won’t-they” relationship with her best friend, Felix (Pablo Pauly).
When she is invited to stay at a writing residency for two weeks, Agathe’s initial response is fear and outright refusal. After all, she already can’t finish anything she starts, so how can she compete against actual published writers? But after much coaxing, she finds herself in the gorgeous English countryside alongside Oliver (Charlie Anson), a literature professor who not only finds Austen to be overrated but also happens to be the famous author’s distant relative.
With the bookish settings, the introduction of a broody love interest, and the inclusion of a ball (yes, a ball), Piani definitely knows what audience she’s catering to. The abundance of tropes will make any romance fan squeal in delight and, fortunately, don’t overpower the story. Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is not just an ode to the Pride and Prejudice writer, it’s an ode to writing itself. Agathe suffers from impostor syndrome and focuses on crafting an enjoyable story rather than making “serious works” like her fellow residents. Anyone who has tried to put pen to paper knows this feeling all too well, and it would have been nice for Piani to spend a little more time with Agathe’s struggle, especially since it partially descends from past trauma.
As for the romance itself, Piani cleverly lays out a love triangle that is both mature and refreshing. It’s not immediately apparent who Agathe will end up with, but you know that whomever she chooses will be the right choice. And while the chemistry with the eventual victor is a little lacking, Agathe’s journey to her eventual beau more than makes up for it.
The bottom line.
Whether you’re a romance veteran or have had only a fleeting thought about Mr. Darcy here and there, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is as cozy as a cup of tea and a good book. While the romance market is inundated with a plethora of Austen-inspired content, Piani’s film doesn’t rely on any source material to shine. Plus, there’s no such thing as too much Austen, and whoever tells you that needs a firm talking to.
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is out now. Watch the trailer here.
Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
REVIEW RATING
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Jane Austen Wrecked My Life - 8/10
8/10
