Jane Austen Wrecked My Life celebrates the highs and lows of writing. 

Relating to the written phrase, there’s a fact universally acknowledged: if one needs a purpose to not write, one will most definitely discover one. And that is undoubtedly true in Laura Piani’s characteristic movie debut, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, a rom-com much less in regards to the well-known writer herself and extra in regards to the journey of a girl who longs to seek out her place on the planet.

The movie focuses on Agathe (Camille Rutherford), a 30-one thing Parisian who works on the well-known bookshop Shakespeare & Firm. She fancies herself to be a personality in one in every of Austen’s tales, particularly Anne Eliot from Persuasion, as a result of she has watched her life go on in entrance of her eyes. She has a large number of unfinished tales on her plate and suffers from a “will-they gained’t-they” relationship along with her finest pal, Felix (Pablo Pauly).

When she is invited to remain at a writing residency for 2 weeks, Agathe’s preliminary response is concern and outright refusal. In spite of everything, she already can’t end something she begins, so how can she compete in opposition to precise printed writers? However after a lot coaxing, she finds herself within the beautiful English countryside alongside Oliver (Charlie Anson), a literature professor who not solely finds Austen to be overrated but additionally occurs to be the well-known writer’s distant relative.

With the bookish settings, the introduction of a broody love curiosity, and the inclusion of a ball (sure, a ball), Piani positively is aware of what viewers she’s catering to. The abundance of tropes will make any romance fan squeal in delight and, luckily, don’t overpower the story. Jane Austen Wrecked My Life isn’t just an ode to the Pleasure and Prejudice author, it’s an ode to writing itself. Agathe suffers from impostor syndrome and focuses on crafting an pleasant story moderately than making “severe works” like her fellow residents. Anybody who has tried to place pen to paper is aware of this sense all too nicely, and it will have been good for Piani to spend just a little extra time with Agathe’s wrestle, particularly because it partially descends from previous trauma.

As for the romance itself, Piani cleverly lays out a love triangle that’s each mature and refreshing. It’s not instantly obvious who Agathe will find yourself with, however that whomever she chooses would be the proper selection. And whereas the chemistry with the eventual victor is just a little missing, Agathe’s journey to her eventual beau greater than makes up for it.

The underside line.

Whether or not you’re a romance veteran or have had solely a fleeting thought of Mr. Darcy right here and there, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is as cozy as a cup of tea and an excellent ebook.  Whereas the romance market is inundated with a plethora of Austen-inspired content material, Piani’s movie doesn’t depend on any supply materials to shine. Plus, there’s no such factor as an excessive amount of Austen, and whoever tells you that wants a agency speaking to.

Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is out now. Watch the trailer here.

Photos courtesy of Sony Photos Classics