By Renee’ Collins
Rating: 4.5 (Out of 5 Reels)
Let me start by saying that I am an absolute and complete fan of all that is Jane Austen. So, it is not surprising that I was very much looking forward to seeing this film. Obsessed with the BBC production of “Pride and Prejudice”, a woman travels to a Jane Austen theme park in search for her perfect gentleman (IMDB).
Jane Hayes (Keri Russell) travels to England to immerse herself in a place where the entire household dresses and acts like they are in a Jane Austen novel. The women who go here dress as they did in Austen’s time and interact with the people who work there who are essentially actors paid to portray the various characters one would expect in those times which include eligible bachelors vying to win their hand in marriage. Consequently, the goal of the entire production is for the men to win the love of their visiting Jane’s. Russell is wonderful in her role as Jane but I must admit that Miss Elizabeth Charming portrayed by Jennifer Coolidge steals the show on many occasions.
There are no special effects in this film because it is essentially a period piece set in a beautiful English manner. I believe fans of Jane Austen will love this film because I bet deep down most would like to visit such a place in real life. I think it might be fun but don’t know if given the chance that I would actually go through with it. But, it is fun to think about and this film is wonderfully funny at the way in which it pokes fun at Austen’s work in general. Sure this film is extremely predictable but I didn’t mind because it was such a fun ride. A must see for all of the Austen fans out there.